Books, books and books!
Is book publishing a thriv ing business? Has the
reading habit really caught on among the new generation? Judging from the
book launches held by leading publishers at regular intervals, it looks
very much so. But launches do not seem to give a clear picture of the actual
situation.
"I used to print 2000 copies of a new title 20 years ago. Today,
I print the same quantity. So what is the progress we have made?"
asks leading book publisher Dayawansa Jayakody. "Books don't move
the way we publishers would like them to move".
Of course, the prices are, in most cases, beyond the reach of the average
reader. Most of them cannot afford to invest in books the way readers did
a few years back.
"The cost of production has gone up. It is natural that the prices
have also risen," says Jayakody.
Sarasavi Publications chief, H.D. Premasiri, thinks the reading habit
has caught on. "If the author is popular, selling 5000 copies within
two to three years is not difficult," he says. Normally, he would
print 3000 copies of any title. The movement depends on several factors
- the author, the subject and the price.
Meanwhile, the presentation of local books has certainly improved. Attractive
book covers, imaginative designs, better quality paper, improved printing
quality - these have made the locally printed books get on par with standards
maintained in most other countries.
Talking of launches, during the past few weeks, Jayakody publishers
have been releasing new titles every week. Tuesday is their launch day.
Last Tuesday, along with Sunil Mihindukula's Wilegodage Thoragath Cinema
Vichara, two other books - Nimal Samaratunga's 'Nimnaye Mahagedera' and
Tennyson Perera's 'Magikkarayage Kathawa' were launched. The previous Tuesday
also saw a 'twin launch' - Jayakody Seneviratne's 'Minissu' and 'Nominissu'.
Prior to that was the launch of K.G. Karunatilleka's latest translations
'Makar Chudra' and 'Bihisunu Tarzan'.
Next Tuesday, March 24, is yet another launch day. P.M. Jayatilleka's
latest novel 'Bambara Sara' and new editions of three popular novels by
Edward Mallawarachchi - 'Prarthana', 'Subha' and 'Subha Prarthana' will
be launched on this day.
Just as much as there are new book launches, so are there regular exhibitions
and sales of books. Colombo Public Library auditorium is the most popular
venue for these. Right now, M.D. Gunasena's, pioneers in book publishing
in Sri Lanka are having a sale there. These sales provide an ideal opportunity
for book lovers to pick up genuine bargains.
Off to Prague
As reported exclusively in this column a few weeks back, maestro Premasiri
Khemadasa's compositions will be the key attraction at this year's Summer
Music Festival in Prague. Accompanied by talented violinist Lakshman Joseph
de Saram, Khemadasa left for Prague last week. Prior to the opening day
of the Festival which has been fixed for April 4, he will rehearse with
the Prague Orchestra.
'Romeo & Juliet', Khemadasa's composition for the Sama Foundation
which was presented by Singer Sri Lanka a few years back under their programme
of supporting the performing arts, has been selected for the Festival.
Khemadasa has also composed a piece of spiritual music for one of the Czech
soprano voices.
Khemadasa is one of three composers whose work has been selected for
this year's Festival. Of the other two, one is an Israeli composer and
the third a Czech composer.
A well deserved honour
Since Denawake Hamine hit the silver screen thirty one years ago in
Siri Gunasinghe's classic, 'Sath Samudura', she has been in great demand.
The 'Grand Old Lady' was honoured recently at the International Women's
Day with an award for her service to Sinhala cinema.
Walking up to the Navarangahala stage to receive the award from President
Chandrika Kumaratunga, she looked somewhat feeble but was in the best of
spirits. She would have obviously felt quite happy and proud receiving
the award from the President just the way she did when she collected her
first award (Best Character Actress 1968 as the mother of two grown up
sons in 'Sath Samudura') from the then Prime Minister, Dudley Senanayake.
Champion Swimmer!
Getting into the river is one thing. Swimming is another. Veteran journalist
Gunadasa Liyanage wrote in his first editorial in 'Kalpana', the Sinhala
monthly put out by People's Bank, inviting readers for their co-operation
to make the magazine a success.
By the time 'Gu Li' started editing 'Kalpana' in November 1981, he had
made a name for himself as a talented journalist. Beginning his journalistic
career as a translator in the Lankadipa in March 1953, he soon caught the
finer points in the trade under master craftsman D.B. Dhanapala. He paid
tribute to his 'guru' with the publication 'D.B. Dhanapalage Viplavaya'
which he released to mark Dhanapala's first death anniversary on March
18, 1972.
Although he edited several Sinhala newspapers and wrote extensively,
to me his best contribution was 'Kalpana'. At a time when there was a cry
for a quality Sinhala magazine, he made 'Kalpana' a most readable, informative
and educational publication. In the 48 page issue he had over 30 features
covering a wide range of topics presented in a most interesting manner.
To many 'Kalpana' became an ideal source of reference and a journal to
be preserved.
"If we are able to move the Sinhala reader a step or two forward
and pick up a few creative writers among the new generation through 'Kalpana',
then our efforts would be worth it," he concluded in his editorial
in the inaugural issue. He did achieve both objectives and would have been
pleased about it.
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