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Chitrananda Abeysekera at  "Kivipathi" Awards Ceremony. 





This Radio Programme was produced by Indrananda Abeysekera, (eldest son of Chitrananda) for the Sinhala Service of CRI. Please press the PLAY button to listen again.
The Poet

On the 12th of May 1954, Chitrananda was awarded the Gold Medal at the All Island Best Impromptu Verse (HITIVANA KAVI) Poetry Competition by the Hon. Prime Minister Sir John Kothalawela. This is how Chitrananda described this unforgetable event to the "Sarasavi Waram" radio talk-show in December 1991.

 

To his credit he has “Sarasavi Gitaya”, “Suli Sulang”’, “Sakvala Dunna”, Suduta Liyu Kavi”, “Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi”, “Kavya Manjari” and “Kavya Pushpanjali” all poems. Among other works are three Short Story books, “Avataraya”, “Pavkarayo”, and “Satan Bima Kandulu” and a Novel “Savi Neti Ath”. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs chose two of his works for State Literary Awards. In 1984, Kavya “Pushpanjali” won him a prize while “Samanala Mahima” was an award winner in 1987.

 

His “Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi” contains one hundred selected lyrics. “Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi” was the piece de resistance of the book of the same title. He, a devout worshiper of the Sacred Bodhi, prostrates before the benign tree in his homage extolling the virtues of tribute to the Great Tree that continues to flourish in the Dhammadvipa by a humble poet.

The Colombo period Sinhala Poetry stands as the era of a variety of fine poets distinguishing themselves in different styles of poetry. They belong to different schools of poetry as well. Chitrananda has ably blended them together as homogenous community of poets with one purpose. And that is the greater progress of the poet and his poetry.

Courtesy: Nemsiri Muthkumarana

 

On the 2nd of October 1982, Chitrananda’s hometown held a massive event to felicitate him on the 35th year of his creative life. The villagers, artists and many other colleagues organized this event. The Government of Sri Lanka awarded him the Justice of the Peace (JP) title covering the whole island.

 

A special souvenir titled “Chitra” was published to commemorate this event.

 

State Literary Award for “Samanala Mahima”

awarded by Hon. Prime Minister Mr. R. Premadasa at the State Cultural Festival held in Kurunegala. 29.10.1987. Hon. Minister of Culture, Mr. E. L. B. Hurulle also in the picturte.

 

In recognition of his work as an artist, Chitrananda was awarded the prestigious “Kivipathi” award by the Hon. Prime Minister Mr. D. B. Wijetunga on the 18th of February 1991. Mr. W. J. M. Lokubandara, Hon. Minister of Culture also in the picture. He is the Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament since 2005 to-date.

 

In recognition of his work as an artist, Chitrananda was awarded the prestigious “Kivipathi” award by the Hon. Prime Minister Mr. D. B. Wijetunga on the 18th of February 1991. Mr. W. J. M. Lokubandara, Hon. Minister of Culture also in the picture. He is the Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament since 2005 to-date.

Chitrananda got a rare opportunity to participate at the Struga Poetry Festival in Yugoslavia in August 1984. His Speech on Sinhala Poetry and the recital of his Sinhala poems were very much appreciated by the participants of this international event.

 

"Kivipathi" Award Ceremony

 

A special souvenir titled “Ape Hapannu” was published to commemorate this event.

 

Hegalla, Kosgoda - 2nd of October 1982

 

(From Left) Hon. Ministers Mr. H.B. Wanninayake, Mr. Weerasinghe Mallimarachchi, Mr. W.J.M. Lokubandara, Hon. Prime-minister Mr. D.B. Wijetunge, H.E. The Ambassador of China and Mr. P.B. Kaviratne

 

Poetry and Story books written  by Chitrananda Abeysekera

At the Poetry Festival, Struga, Yugoslavia

 

PAPER READ ON “POETRY AND TIME”

AT THE SYMPOSIUM OF STRUGA POETRY FESTIVAL,

YUGOSLAVIA

 

To read CLICK here

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