State Literary Awards shine spotlight on talented Lankan writers including those of Tamil Literature

At the recently held 60th State Literary Awards a spollight was shone on Tamil Literature with writers walking away with  awards in all 13 categories.

It appeared to be a renaissance in Tamil Literature considering the fact that there were 33 writers being nominated this year. This was in contrast to 11 last year out of 14 and just three winning in 2014  with the participation of just a handful.

The literary rejuvenation was evident at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre last week when academics, clergymen, actors, journalists, politicians among others carried away 42 awards with President Maithripala Sirisena, who was Chief Guest at the occasion, handing over some of the coveted awards.

Neerai Ponnaiyan receiving the 'Sahithyaratna' award for English and Tamil Literature.

Text by Rajitha Weerakoon

Full list of winners

The full list of winners of the  State Literary Awards 2017

          Sinhala Awards:

                       Original Novels                   Garuda Muhurthaya, Kirthi Welisarage

Original short stories –Makara Thorana – Prabhath Jayasinghe

                             Original Poetry                               Samahara Kamatahan – Lakshantha Atukorale  

               Original Lyrics                                 Pinibara Malak -Kularatne Ariyavansha

       Original Literature for Youth       Rama Saha Dinoo -Anula De Silva

      Original Drama                              Mahagiridamba – Jayalath Manoratne

Original Science Literature         Sangavunu Lovaka Hudakala Gaveshana- H.S. Ratnayake

Children's Literature   1                             Avurudhu Kema – Sybil Wettasinghe       

            Chaildren's Literature 2                             Mage Guruthuma – Thanuja N. Ayagama

Best Academic and Research Publication                 A study of Buddhist Philosophy – G.M. Rajapaksha

Social Studies under Varied Subjects                        History of Police and Police Service of People-Victor Perera

 Human Studies   under Varied Subjects                  Bhasha Vimansa – Piyaseeli Wijemanna                                       

Translations under Varied Subjects                           My life Story – Gayathri M. Herath

Best Translations of Academic and Research Publications- 2 Awards

                                                                                       Nirvanaya -  Denzil Senadheera

                                                                                       And Dahami Ashoka - Vimalasena Vidanapathirana

Best Novel in Translation                                          Nomeru Tharunayek(1,2,3) - Ananda Amarasiri

Best Short Stories in Translation                             Vesmuhunu – Chandana Mendis

Best Drama in Translation                                        Shri Harshadevi’s Rathnavali Drama-Walter Marasinghe

Best Cover Design                                                      Nonavathina Dadayama – Shantha K. Herath

Books with Best Page Layout and Design              Samprasadana – Aruna Lokuliyana    

Publisher of the most number of winning books – S. Godage and Brothers (pvt) Ltd.

Tamil Awards

Best Novel                                                           Thazumpu -   M. Balasingham

Best Short Stories                                              Sorkkapurich Sangathi - M.M. Nowshad

Best Book of Poetry                                            Thoppul Kodium Thalaippakaum – Anpudeen (B.M. Kalandhar Lebai)

Miscellaneous                                                      Kalaichcelvi Kalam- Sitphy (S. Sivasaravanabavan)

Academic and Research                                  Ancient History of the Tamils in Adanakappattu – Vanni –

                                                                             Aruna Selladurai  

Drama                                                                 Atrai Thinkal – J. Johnson Rajkumar

Children’s Literature 1                                     Undaintha Paanai – O.K. Kunanaadan

Children;’s Literature 2                                    Cinthanaik Kadaikal – S. Arulanandan

Youth Literature                                                Aanmeeka Poigai – R.V. Kanthaswamy

Translated Short Stories                                   Aval Peihiraal – A.L. Azoomath                     

Best Novel in Translation                                   Bohala Soundiris – Dickwelle Kamal

Best Translated drama                                       Caucasian Chalk Circle – M. Shanmugalingam

Best Translated Poetry                                       Porms of Caravan – Pannamattuk Kavirayar (S.M. Farook)

Children’s Literature                          True Sportsmanship -  Janaki Galappatti

                       Youth Literature                                          The New Child- Saravi Ranasinghe       

                      Best Novel in Translation                         Mirage – Rev. Subramaniam Jebanesan   

Best Literary Work in Varied SubjectsThe Lion’s Roar – Dr. Sarath Amunugama

                 Best Academic and Research PublicationCrime Prevention Efforts in national Planning in             -                                                                                                Sri Lanka-Premanda Athapattu

Best Collection of Short Stories Mute Squalls - Niranjili Motha  

                  Best Novel in English                                          What Lies Between Us - Nayomi  Munaweera