Poetry has always been a magical fount of ideas, human feelings and almost anything you could put into words. As much as we love to read poetry and appreciate poets around the world, have we taken enough time to delve into the poets of our little island?
Fret not, we’ve got just what you need to keep those little grey cells excited with verses. Here’s a list of contemporary poets across the spectrum of English, Sinhala and Tamil poetry right here in Sri Lanka!
Poetry in English
- Malinda Seneviratne
Seneviratne has several professions under his belt. From politics to journalism, his thought-provoking poetry has resonated with a large audience within the country. Winning both crowds and awards, his writing offers the reader a deep dive into political incidents through a social lens of his own making.
Notable publications – Epistles
Honours and awards – H.A.I. Goonetileke Prize, Gratiaen Prize (2013)
- Michael Ondaatje
Michael Ondaatje was a Sri Lankan-born poet who immigrated to Canada in his 20s. His work primarily revolves around musical prose and poetry that was created by blending myth, history, jazz, etc. The significance of his writing is in the way he showcases Sri Lanka’s identity as a nation to the Western world.
Notable publications – Anil’s Ghost, In the Skin of a Lion, The English Patient, The Cat’s Table
Honours and awards – Booker Prize (1992)
- Vivimarie Vanderpoorten
Born in Kandy, Vivimarie Vanderpoorten is a prominent contributor to the local poetry scene. Her poem ‘Explosion’ was also featured in the G.C.E Advanced Level English syllabus from 2017 onwards. Most of her topics are on real-life scenarios and incidents that give the reader an unorthodox view into such situations.
Notable publications – Nothing Prepares You: Poems, Stitch Your Eyelids Shut: Poems
Honours and awards – Gratiaen Prize (2007), State Literary Award (2011)
- Sandesh Bartlett
Sandesh Bartlett is a relatively new poet in the country. An alumnus of S.Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, Bartlett is also an avid chorister. He weaves biblical scenarios with reality into his poetry; reading them can leave the reader in awe.
Notable publications – Of God of Man and Mortal Things
Honours and awards – State Literary Award (nominee)
- Hashen Ratnayake
Another newcomer in Sri Lanka’s poetry scene, Ratnayake’s oeuvre spans across human emotions, healing, etc. His recent work – I am Mortal – has inspired a whole new generation to take up writing poetry. Apart from publishing his book, Ratnayake has independently written poems on several social platforms.
Notable publications – I am Mortal (collection of poems)
- Ramya Chamalie Jirasinghe
A self-published author, Ramya Jirasinghe has published works in both fiction and non-fiction over the years. Her writing has enabled her to win countless awards. At present, she works for the U.S Fulbright Commission here in Sri Lanka.
Notable publications – There’s An island in the Bone, Rhythm of the Sea
Honours and awards – English Writers Cooperative Prize in Poetry (1998), State Youth Award (1993)
Poetry in Sinhala
- Lal Hegoda
Lal Hegoda is an accomplished photographer in the country, but his skills aren’t just limited to photography. He is also an enthusiastic poet who pens the most thought-provoking verses in Sinhala. Hegoda’s ability to balance life as a professional photographer and a poet has inspired the next generation to take up learning and working on more than one skill.
Notable publications – Solosak, Komalani
Honours and awards – State Literary Prize for Poetry (2000), State Literary Award for the Best Book in Poetry (1996)
- Eric Illayaparachchi
Having produced more than 50 books, one can firmly say that Eric Illyaparachchi is a prolific writer. A veteran writer and poet, his expansive body of work stretches across a plethora of Sinhala history and culture, presenting them to the world in his interpretation.
Notable publications – Messa, Petha
Honours and awards – Best Sinhala Novel (2020)
- Nandana Weerasinghe
Not much is known of Weerasinghe except for the fact that he is a persuasive poet. Having written poetry for papers, along with publishing his very own books, he has captured quite an audience over the years.
Notable publications – Giraga, Kiri Suwandathi Rathriye
- Ariyawansa Ranaweera
Ariyawansa Ranaweera has been a writer for close to three decades while being a journalist and translator at the same time. He has also translated Greek epics and dramas such as Oedipus Rex, Antigone, and The Trojan Women into Sinhala. His work is proof that language is no barrier to expressing your thoughts and ideas to a wider audience.
Notable publications – Ma Sathu Dhanaya Ma Liyu Kavi, Dothak Kavi
Honours and awards – State Literary Award (multiple times)
- Surekha Samarasena
Surekha Samarasena is a freelance journalist who has been in the journalism sphere for more than a decade. Her poetry covers topics such as politics while intertwining them with certain religious aspects in an unprecedented manner. The significance of her writing is that it has become a voice for those in need in Sri Lankan society.
Notable publications – Me Kathawa
Honours and awards – Young Reporter of the Year (2009)
Poetry in Tamil
- Anar
Issath Rehana Mohamed Azeem, better known by her pen name ‘Anar’, has been writing Tamil poetry since the 1990s. Her work has also been translated into English and has appeared in several newspapers.
Notable publications – Oviem Varaiyathe Thurikai, Enakkuk Kavithai Mukam
Honours and awards – National Literature Award
- Packiyanathan Ahilan
Ahilan is a contemporary Tamil poet in the country who has raised his voice time and again to shed light on a myriad of issues within Sri Lanka. He currently serves as a lecturer of Art History at the University of Jaffna.
Notable publications – Athunkukuzhi Naatkal and Saramakavigal
- M. Nuhuman
Nuhuman is a poet, literary critic, and translator who has published numerous books throughout his career. He has published over 30 books during the past three decades. Each of his publications has expressed a different ongoing social or political problem in the country.
Notable publications – Grandparents and grandchildren (தாத்தாமாரும் பேரர்களும்), Immortal Shadows (அழியா நிழல்கள்)
The post Contemporary Sri Lankan Poets You Need to Know! appeared first on Pulse.
Source From Pulse.lk
Author: Aakil Riyaz
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