By Prof. Wimal Dissanayake
The Venerable Tirikiunamale Ananda Maha Nayaka Thera has written a reverential commemorative poem, titled
Guru Dev Samara, celebrating the life and times of his teacher the Reverend Ampitiye Rahula Maha Thera. It is a poem that deserves the critical attention of discerning readers primarily because of the dexterity with which the author has handled his chosen poetic meter and commanded it to perform a number of functions related to the vitality of the poetic text
Guru Dev Samara consists of 130 stanzas written in conformity to the
drutha vilambitha meter. As I will explain later, the choice of this meter is indeed a happy one. It serves to enhance the willed intensity of the poetic text.