Mahagama Sekera

Mahagama Sekera was one of the most versatile of artists this country has produced and one of the leading catalysts in the Sri Lankan artistic renaissance which started in the late 1950s. Often regarded as the nation’s finest poet of the 20th century, Sekera inspired several generations of writers even after his time.

Sekara was often being imitated but never duplicated. As a poet and a lyricist he developed the prevailing tradition and drew upon the language of the folk to up shape a modern lyrical and poetic diction. He was a poet, lyricist, painter, broadcaster, playwright, novelist, short story writer and also became a reputed moviemaker after directing his semi-autobiographical novel Thun Man Handiya as a motion picture.

Mahagama Sekera embraced a vast territory of concerns in his creative process with a sensitivity that recognized humanity and life. Having rendered a great service to the nation through his multifaceted contributions which reflect an ever-continuing significance, he still holds and is very much a part of the contemporary consciousness.