Kumaratunga Munidasa

Kumaratunga Munidasa (Sinhala: කුමාරතුංග මුනිදාස; 25 July 1887 – 2 March 1944) was a pioneer Sri Lankan (Sinhalese) linguist, grammarian, commentator, writer, poet, and journalist. He founded the Hela Havula movement which sought to remove Sanskrit influences in the Sinhala language. Munidasa is believed to be one of the most eminent scholars Sri Lanka has known for several centuries. He is remembered best for his profound knowledge of the Sinhala language and its literary work.

Kumarathunga Munidasa
Born(1887-07-25)25 July 1887
Idigasaara, Dickwella, Matara,
Sri Lanka
Died2 March 1944(1944-03-02) (aged 56)
Panadura, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lanka
Alma materDikwella Buddhist School, St.Thomas' College, Matara, Dikwella Watarukanna Pirivena (Wewurukannala Pirivena)
OccupationWriter, poet, journalist
Known forHela Havula
Notable work
Hela Havula, Magul kama, hathpana, Kiyawana Nuwana
Spouse(s)Lilly Laviniya Peiris
Children2 Daughters & 4 Sons
Parent(s)Palavinnage Dona Gimara Muthukumarana (Mother), Abious (or Abiyes) Cumaranatunga (Father)

Early life

Munidasa was born on July 25, 1887 in Idigasaara, Dickwella, Matara, Sri Lanka. He was the second youngest among his 12 other siblings.[1] His mother was Palavinnage Dona Gimara Muthukumarana (or Dona Baba Nona Muthukumarana) and his father was Abious (or Abiyes) Kumaranatunga, a physician practicing indigenous medicine who kept invaluable Pali and Sanskrit manuscripts on Ayurveda medicine, Astrology, and Buddhism.[2]

Education

Munidasa attended Wewurukannala Pirivena to learn Pali and Sanskrit in order to become a Buddhist monk. But due to his family's disapproval, he attended the Government Teachers' College in Colombo. He graduated after two years of training in 1907.[1]

Career

Teaching career

His first appointment was as a government teacher in the Bilingual School of Bomiriya. He was later promoted as principal of the Kadugannawa Bilingual School. After 11 years, he was promoted to the inspector of schools, a position he held for four years.[3]

Literary/Scholarly Career

He wrote his first book during his school days; Nikaya Sangraha Vivaranaya, an analysis for a Scripture on Buddhist Monastic Orders.

Munidasa was a member of the Sinhala Maha Sabha of the Swabhasha movement which started as a protest against the English educated elites.[3]

Hela Havula
Main article: Hela Havula

Munidasa spoke of language, nation, and country as a Triple Gem, linking these entities to the Buddhist concept of refuge. To pursue these sources of refuge, he founded the Hela Havula. It consisted of people who shared his views on Sinhala language and literary efforts. They often engaged in debates and literature. It was the starting point for many scholars and artists and exists to this very day.[2]

Journalism

Munidasa revived the Lakminipahana newspaper. He also started the Subasa and Helio magazines to teach and promote the correct use of Sinhala.[4]

Challenging the tradition

Munidasa had unique and creative opinions and said, "Vociferous fools would say that we should free our country, without first freeing our mind and thoughts."

His concepts on Sri Lankan history, language and literature have been controversial. He emphasized and encouraged the use of the letter "ඇ". He argued that Vijaya, traditionally identified as the first Sinhalese king, was merely an invader and believed in Ravana, a mythological Sri Lankan ruler.

Family

In 1921, Munidasa married Lilly Laviniya Peiris in Pallimulla, Panadura. They had two daughters and four sons.[5]

Quotes

"If a certain language is underdeveloped, the land in which that language operates is also underdeveloped."

"Dangerous are the times for Sri Lanka. If the importing of rice stopped, we would have nothing to eat. If importing of materials stopped, we would have nothing to wear. If it was not for the vehicles imported from other countries, we would have no means of travelling."

"First Be A Slave To Knowledge — Then Knowledge Will Be Your Slave"

Publications

Prominent textbooks on Sinhala grammar

  • Heenseraya
  • Hathpana
  • Kriya Wiwaranaya
  • Magul Keema
  • Nelawilla
  • Piya samara
  • Prabanda Sangrahaya
  • Virith Vekiya
  • Vyakarana Vivaranaya
  • Kiyawana Nuwana

See also

Hela Havula, Shiksha Margaya, Hela Mieasiya, Tharu akuru wela (A comprehensive alphabet), Kavi shikshawa

References
  1. Ahubudu, Arisen (1989). පුජිත ජිවිත (in Sinhala). Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs. pp. 139–153.
  2. Coperahewa, Sandagomi (1 July 2011). "1. Purifying the Sinhala Language: The Hela Movement of Munidasa Cumaratunga (1930s-1940s)". Modern Asian Studies. 46. doi:10.1017/S0026749X11000291.
  3. Coperahewa, Sandagomi (July 2012). "Purifying the Sinhala Language: The Hela Movement of Munidasa Cumaratunga (1930s–1940s)*". Modern Asian Studies. 46 (4): 857–891. doi:10.1017/S0026749X11000291. ISSN 1469-8099.
  4. Sahdasomi Coperahewa (1998), Cumaratunga as a language planner, The sunday times,http://sundaytimes.lk/980308/plus8.html
  5. Kapila Somaratne (2016), Remembering Kumaratunga Munidasa, The sunday times,http://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2016/02/28/spe-peo-01.asp
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