Gamperaliya (novel)
Gamperaliya (The Transformation of a Village) is a novel written by Sri Lankan writer Martin Wickremasinghe and first published in 1944.
| Author | Martin Wickremasinghe |
|---|---|
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Language | Sinhala |
| Genre | Historical novel |
Publication date | 1944 |
| Media type | Print (paperback) |
| Followed by | Kaliyugaya & Yuganthaya |
One of his most famous works, the book depicts the breakup of traditional village life due to the impact of modernisation. The gradual subversion of the traditional economic and social structure of the village by the commercial culture of the city is portrayed through the story of an aristocratic family in a southern village. The novel has been widely praised for its realism in depicting Sinhala rural life and is considered an important work of Sri Lankan literature.
The novel was made into a movie in 1964 by Lester James Peries.
Plot
The story begins in the early 19th Century in Koggala, a hamlet in the south of Sri Lanka. Piyal, teaches English to Anula and Nanda, the daughters of Muhandiram Kaisaruwaththa at the Maha Gedara, their ancestral manor. Piyal falls in love with Nanda, but she is of high caste Govigama family and her parents disagree to give Nanda in marriage to Piyal and instead she was given in marriage to Jinadasa Lamahewa, who is also from a high caste family. Piyal leaves the village and finds a job in Colombo and becomes rich.
After a couple of years, Muhandiram Kaisaruwaththa dies, and the family declines financially. Jinadasa leaves for Sinhale to start a business. Tissa, having completed his education, goes to Colombo in search of a job.
Years passed, and Piyal, now a rich man who owns a mansion in Colombo, visits his village. Nanda, her mother and sister too join Piyal and his mother on a pilgrimage where Nanda and Piyal meet again. Jinadasa, unsuccessful in business, dies penniless. Piyal marries Nanda in a grand European-fashioned wedding and go to live in their residence in Colombo.
See also
- List of Sri Lankan films