Old Sinhalese Nursery Rhymes And Folk Songs

The author reveals that this thin rare and strikingly illustrated book gives excerpts from various nursery rhymes and folk songs of the Sinhalese. These nursery rhymes having been handed down from generation to generation contain many old Sinhalese words, some of them being no longer in use. Others of rhymes have been collected locally for which, with their translation, he is indebted to the kindness of the local Sinhalese scholars. Their help has been invaluable. To the discovery and study of these nursery rhymes a great deal of time and patience must have been devoted, and the illustrations typical of her genius for decorative art, would of themselves alone be an acquisition to be treasured. The public are already aware of her beautiful depiction of scenes from the Mahavansa. This book is collated and illustrated by the author with a foreword by Sir Solomon Dias Bandaranaike. The book was first originally published in 1935.