Uma De Lanerolle’s book of songs, “Punchi Kale Mang” is a celebration of the happy and carefree time of one’s life – childhood.
Uma doesn’t merely retell these truly delightful childhood experiences, but goes a step further and records personal experiences she has gathered as an adult from her extensive travels here and abroad, with her husband, a former Tourist Board director. Recommended by the Ministry of Education as suitable for pre-school education, Punchi Kale Mang, is a collection of 28 songs composed on a range of themes.
While some of the songs such as Oru Padimu Kadolane, Samada Ude, Avurudu Awa, Erabodu Gahe Mal Pipila tap the roots of her rustic experiences, others such as Guwane Nagala, Nayagara Diyakinduriya depict her overseas travels to Africa, Canada, USA, India etc. Closer to home, Uma says she has visited almost every place in the country except Jaffna.
Uma, who comes from a family with a journalistic background says the rural setting of her hometown in Waragoda, Kelaniya provided much of the inspiration for her lyrics that will appeal to children.
“What I want is to convey the wonderful experiences that I had as a child to the present day younger generation as they probably would not have experienced such moments. The foreign experiences are recorded for the benefit of those who are unable to travel abroad, especially poor children so that they will be able to get an idea of such places after reading these lyrics,” says Uma who is a qualified pre-school teacher.
The songs are illustrated by sketches by Senanada Indrajith, who is attached to the Aesthetic Division of the Ministry of Education. These illustrations are eye-catching and add colour to the book. In addition, each lyric is accompanied by the notation of the music composition.A CD comprising 12 songs from the book is also available. Both the book and the CD were launched on March 6 at the Janakala Kendraya, Battaramulla.
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