Reformative thoughts of traditional literature emerged during the period of colonial rule in Sri Lanka: a study based on puranas

Abstract

Sri Lanka was captured and ruled successfully by the Europeans namely Portuguese, Dutch and British rulers in the past. Historical experts say that the British rule in Sri Lanka was between A. C 1800- 1900 Years. The British captured the Kandyan Kingdom in 1815 and brought the whole island of Sri Lanka under the one umbrella of British Empire. The whole Sri Lanka was under one kingdom of British in the 19th and the early part of 20th centuries. This was further endorsed by famous Tamil poet F.X.C Nadarasa in his book called “The history of ‘Tamil books in Sri Lanka”. The British rule started in the 19th centuries and lasted till the mid of 20th centuries. During this period there were many changes that took place in the society’s social, and cultural aspect, with the vast availability of printing machines, and educational opportunities which transformed people as Christians. Further under –age marriage, inter social marriage, caste among societies were some other issues which polluted the Human Society. To rectify and upgrade the already polluted conduct of this society and with the emergence of Literature Novels , Irrattai mani malai, sathagam, oonchal, puranas and some new Literature that came into existence in due course. This Literature illustrate misconduct of the society. In this back drop, this research categorizes traditional literatures which emerged during the period of colonial rule, and the role those Literatures played to transform the social reforms.