ஈழத்துச் சிறுவர் பாடல் வளர்ச்சியில் அகளங்கனின் பங்களிப்பு

The Contribution of Akalankan to the Development of Sri Lankan Children's Songs

Abstract

Akalankan is a prolific writer who has made significant contributions to the creative literary genres of poetry, drama, and short stories. He has also published numerous articles and books on literature, society, religion, history, and folklore. In addition, he is well known as a orator  on literature and religion. As a writer deeply committed to literature and society, Akalankan has also demonstrated a keen interest in children's literature. As a result, he has published five collections of children's songs: Suttik Kuruvikal (2003), Chinnach Chittukkal (2005), Panthu Adippom (2010), Sirikka Vidungal (2010), and Chinnanj Siriya Siragugal (2012). These collections primarily deal with themes such as the natural environment, moral values, and didactic ideas. Against this background, the present study examines whether Akalankan's children's songs are distinguished by thematic richness and literary excellence. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate his contribution to the development of Sri Lankan children's songs. Based on the five collections of children's songs as secondary textual sources, the study employs descriptive, analytical, and comparative research approaches. The analysis reveals that themes related to nature, philosophy of life, moral instruction, and value education are prominently reflected in Akalankan's songs. Many of his nature-themed songs exhibit melodiousness, imaginative expression, poetic ornamentation, effective narration, and linguistic simplicity. These qualities have established his distinctive place in the field of Sri Lankan children's literature. However, the study also identifies certain limitations. Some songs present ideas that lie beyond the experiential world and cognitive maturity of children, while others convey perspectives that are inconsistent with contemporary social life. These constitute the principal findings of the study.