Sri Lankan literature is the literature of the Republic of Sri Lanka in Sinhala and Tamil.
Content
History
In the III century BC. e. Buddhism penetrates the island. The first texts of ancient Ceylon are the chronicles of “Deepavansa” - “History of the country” in verses (4 c.) And “Mahavansa” (5 c.) In Pali . The Mahavans has historical materials, as well as the legends and myths of Ceylon. At the same time, comments were made on the provisions of the Buddhist doctrine.
Based on the Pali language, Sinhala literature was created.
Ilattu Putantevanar was one of the earliest known classical Tamil poets . [1] Poems of the poet are included in the anthology of Tamil poetry Sangam or Sankam, which was collected by Tamilakame until 250
In the 5th century AD e. Jataki is recorded - stories about the past lives of Buddha. All existing jataks were translated. In Sinhala, the first works appeared in the 6th century.
Since the 13th century, the language of works has been simplified to make the exposition of Buddhism more accessible.
The first prose work was Gurulugomi's “Sea of Nectar” (13th century), describing the past birth of Buddha. The following notable prose works were The Garland of Gems of True Faith by Monk Dharmasena; “Ornament of True Religion” (14th c.) Dharmakirti-Mahathero.
In the 14th century, jataks were translated into Sinhala.
In the 15th century, poetry came first. The poets of the Middle Ages are Sri Rahula (“The Message of the Pigeon”, “The Message of the Lane” and “Diadem of Poetry”) by Vettevethero and Vidagama.
About four centuries the country was conquered by Europeans. Since the XVI century, the Portuguese ruled the country, in the XVII century the Portuguese were replaced by the Dutch, from 1795 - the British. In 1948, the country gained independence under the name Dominion Ceylon. In 1972, the country was renamed Sri Lanka. Colonial dependence of the country hindered the development of its literature.
In the 1940s, against the background of the struggle for independence, the country showed an interest in the theory of Marxism-Lininism. Marxist-Leninist literature is being translated. On July 3, 1943, the Communist Party was created on the basis of the United Socialist Party and individual communist groups in the country. Until 1972, it was called the Communist Party of Ceylon . Paria fought for the liberation of Ceylon from English colonial rule.
Sinhalese novels appeared in the 1st decade of the 20th century. Their authors were S. de Silva, P. Sirisen (1875–1946), V. A. Silva (1892–1957) - a historical novel (“Sunetra, or Dark Times”, 1936).
In the 1900s, Sri Lankan writers created the literary genre - fiction.
The 40s were marked by the development of the short story genre: H. Munidas (1903–57) and G. B. Senanayake (b. 1903).
Ceylon Tamil writers contribute to the development of Tamil literature. Tamil poets come from Ceylon Ezhattumpudan Devanar, medieval poets Sinnatambi Pulawar, Mailvagana Pulawar, Sittambala Pulawar.
Modernity
The rise of modern Sinhala literature and arts began in 1956. The modern literature of Sri Lanka is developed mainly in Sinhala, Tamil and English. In 2006, the poet Sunanda Mahendra received the State Literature Award for the best Sinhala poetry collection. A prominent writer in Sri Lanka is Chandraran Bandara. In 1991, he received a national literary award for the novel Meru at the State Literary Festival.
Sinhala poets include S. Mahinda, Munidas Kumaratung, Sagar Palansuria, G.H. Perera, Alvis Perera, Vimalaratna Kumaragama, Chandraratna Manavasinha.
Modern playwrights: Edirivir Saratchandra is the author of the plays Manama and Sinhabah.
Ashok Ferrey writes in English, almost every book of which becomes a national bestseller .
Literary critics: Martin Vikramasinge , Edirivira Saratchandra, Amaradas Virasinge, V. A. Abesinhe, Gunasen Vitana, Gavin Karunaratna. An outstanding scholarly literary critic of Sri Lanka is Kumaratunga Munidasa (1887-1944).
Literary associations - “Front of Folk Writers”.
Literary Press: Dzhana Rucia newspaper (Folk Taste), Sakhitya (Literature), Sanskruti (Culture), Kala Puvat (Art News) magazines.
Literature
- Brief literary encyclopedia in 9 volumes, 1962-1978.
- Vykhukholev V.V., Sinhalese literature, M., 1970.
- Soma. Short stories of modern writers of Ceylon. 1968. M. Publisher: The main edition of the eastern literature of the publishing house "Science". Series: Contemporary Oriental Short Story.
- Wickramasingle M., Sinhalese literature, Colombo, 1949.
- Sarathchandra ER, The Sinhalese novel, Colombo, 1950.
Links
Notes
- ↑ Article in Encarta Sri Lanka - Literature Archived October 31, 2009. reads: “The earliest known Sri Lankan Tamil poets are Ilattu Putantevanar, whose verses were included in the anthology of Tamil Sangam poetry, compiled in southern India around 250” Archived 2009-10-31.