Sybil gives life to memorable verses

'Ha ha hari hawa' is one of the most popular verses written by Kumaratunga Munidasa. Generation after generation has enjoyed this beautiful simple poem. Though it was meant for children, the adults too found it pretty interesting. It has now got a facelift with Sybil Wettasinghe giving it life with her inimitable artistic touch. The eight verses in the poem describing the plight of a hare trying to do a nap but was disturbed by the barking of a dog and taking to its heels, have been vividly transformed into a lively sketch with her brush.

This is one of four Visidunu publications which have just been released to mark Kumaratunga day (his 120th birth anniversary was on July 25). The other three are equally attractive. 'Maleka Malaki' is just one verse describing the thoughts of a little child who sees a flower within a flower. One turns out to be a butterfly. Sybil is clever to convert the four line verse into a ten page work of art.

Kumaratunga discusses the qualities of a good boy with the character 'Sirimath'. He is punctual, he is studious, he is obedient. Sybil's drawings detailing different situations help to send a strong message to the children how they should plan their lives.

'Goda itha loku satha' sums up the features of the big boy, the elephant. The beauty of the poems is the simple words used. They are easy to remember and can be recited with ease.

Sybil's style is unique. Her use of pastel shades is pleasing to the eye. Her settings for each verse using birds perched on trees and little ones with faces full of expression make the poems even more meaningful. The high quality printing by Tharanji Printers adds to the overall presentation of the books. DCR