June 21, 2013, 7:57 pm
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By Andrew Scott
Gajaman Nona was reputed Sinhala poetess in the south whose work is still read and appreciated by headers of her work throughout the country and it is quite interesting to peep into the life and activities of this great literary figure who is also reported to have had a very charming personality.
Her father was Gamage Don Franscicsu Senaratne Kumaraperumal. He was a Gajaman Arachchi under the British administration of this country. Her mother, who came from a family of teachers was Francina Grero who was also called Nona Baba. In addition she was also popular by the name elder Gajaman Nona (Loku Gajaman Nona).
Gajaman Nona’s true name was Cornelia and she was the eldest daughter in the family. She was born in 1758 in Kollupitiya. Later the family had migrated to Matara when Gajaman Nona was about 14 years of age. It is said that she mastered to art of writing Sinhala poetry from a renowned Buddhist Priest, Karatota Dhammarama Thero, of the Malwatte Temple in Kandy who later resided in Weragampitiya Temple in Matara, She was a very popular poetess in Matara and even Sir John D’Oyly, a British administrator, admired her talents and beauty. He bestowed a land to her in appreciation of her poetry and called it Nonagama. Still there are several ruins in the country that echo the name and fame of this famed Sinhala poetess who had captured the interest and affection of many a person through her erudite poetry.
Legend has it that once Gajaman Nonce’s parents carrying the child Gajaman Nona on a pilgrimage to Adam’s Peak confronted and enraged elephant and in the confrontation there was no alternative but to throw the child away into a nearby thicket. The father was killed by the elephant but the mother escaped unhurt.
She died in 1814 at the comparatively young age of 56 years and many of her acquaintances went into deep mourning. There is also an unconfirmed legend that towards the end of her carefree life she was very depressed and committed suicide.
Closely associated with her life is the Denipitiya Nuga tree which was a popular venue for her poetry sessions and a place where the public and her fans met her to share their exploits in writing and reciting poerty.
Though her mortal remains have mingled with the earth rich memories about her poetic life and her charming ways continue to linger in the minds of all those interested in the life and activities of this colourful personality of a bygone era who has become legendary in the annals of Sinhala literature.
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