This book is a companion to 'Bridging Connections: An Anthology of Sri Lankan Short Stories' which the National Book Trust of India published in 2007. I was more wary of compiling a collection of poetry, given the much greater knowledge required to judge the merits of poetry in languages in which one is not a literary expert. However, given the expert assistance I had received from colleagues in selecting and ensuring good translations of short stories written originally in Sinhala and Tamil, I decided to venture into this field too, with the assistance of friends and the extraordinary kindness and enormous erudition of strangers.
Lakshmi de Silva proved her usual tower of strength with regard to Sinhala poetry, but she also insisted that I consult two young academics, Liyanage Amarakeerthi of Peradeniya and Sandagomi Coperahewa of Colombo University. The latter was a student at S Thomas' when I was briefly Sub-Warden three decades ago, and I was delighted to find he had fulfilled his early promise, the more so as his father had taught me many years earlier, and was one of the formative influences with regard to the little knowledge I do have about Sinhala poetry. Dr Amarakeerthi also responded swiftly and helpfully, and provided me with a succinct but comprehensive introduction to the field, along with translations of his own thought-provoking poetry as well as that of others.
I am indebted too to all the others who provided translations, some specially commissioned for this book, in particular my colleagues at Sabaragamuwa University, Manoj Ariyaratne and Mahinda Pathirana. I should also mention the doyenne of translators, Ranjini Obeysekere, who responded promptly to my requests in the midst of other preoccupations whilst abroad. Needless to say, I am grateful too to all the poets, and the other translators, who so graciously gave me permission to use their work. Mr Godage of Godage Publishers and my old friend A T Dharmapriya require special mention, not least because the collection the latter produced for the former will provide a more comprehensive introduction to the field than this necessarily limited collection.
Prof Chelva Kanaganayakam, who had first invited me to lecture at Jaffna University, was as always helpful, and has provided another illuminating introduction. He also introduced me to Mr Padmanabha Iyer who proved a fountain of erudition and also commitment, overflowing with ideas as well as forceful recommendations. Though no longer young, he kindly came to see me in a chilly London, with not just suggestions but also gifts of relevant material.
I must also thank his friend, S Rajasingam, who provided me with his copy of the Penguin collection of Tamil poetry in translation, which was an invaluable guide, and waited patiently until I returned it after almost a year. I must also thank the poets and translators who so readily granted permission for their work to be used.
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