සැළලිහිණි සහ ගිරා සන්දේශ වල කාව්‍යාන්තර්ගතයේ සමානතා පිළිබඳ සන්සන්දනාත්මක A Comparative Study of Poetic Content Similarity in Salalihini and Gira Sandesha

Abstract

The Kotte era is considered the golden age not only of Sinhala poetic literature but also of Sinhala Sandesha (messenger poem) literature. This is due to the addition of many poetic work written under various subjects to Sinhala poetry and the composition of almost five Sandeshas which are highly respected in the Sinhala Sandesha tradition. The most popular Sandeshas in Sandesha literature are the Parevi (Dove), Kokila (Cuckoo), Salalihini (Hill Myna), Gira (Parrot), and Hansa (Swan) Sandeshas. When considering these Sandeshas written in the Kotte era, various characteristics and special facts can be revealed about each one. These Sandeshas can also be observed as a mirror reflecting contemporary Sri Lankan society. In particular, this study focuses on the Salalihini Sandeshaya and the Gira Sandeshaya. There are several reasons for this choice. One reason is that these two Sandeshas lucidly convey the Sandesha society of that time. Another reason is that the author of the Gira Sandeshaya intended to glorify Thotagamuwe Sri Rahula Thero, who composed the Salalihini Sandeshaya. Additionally, the author of the Gira Sandeshaya also represents the same monastic lineage as the author of the Salalihini Sandeshaya.For these reasons, this study is based on the Salalihini Sandeshaya and the Gira Sandeshaya, as they reveal a range of subjects which have not been compared before. This study employs a textual analytical methodology to compare the poetic content of the two Sandeshas and is a qualitative review.