Gajaman Nona

by Nalini. C. K. V. Aluvihare

(May 09, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Isabella Dona Cornelia was a famous Ceylonese poet now forgotten today in schools by students, and teachers too.

Born in 1746 when Ceylon came under Portuguese influence in names and speech. Although born in a Sinhala village, she adopted Portuguese women’s fashion attired in long puffed sleeves with pleated blouse, and long filled and pleated skirts. This dress suited her perfectly as she had an enchanting figure.

She had been a unrivalled famous poet.

In one of her famous (Kavi) poems she recounts her early life losing her father in 1750 and facing very hard times. Her parents and she, accompanied by some pilgrims had gone to Adma’s Peak according to her when on their way wild elephants attacked the group killing her father. The rest of the Nade including her mother had fled in fear leaving her the baby Gajaman Nona in the destiny of the wild animals and the tree gods. It was certainly been a god send. Fortunately a Buddhist monk who knew a "Ali Mantaraya" passing the jungle hearing the baby cry carried it to Pelmadulla, Ratnapura and had handed the baby to a rich Mudalali for adoption.

Born to a poor family with a very rich name Gaja (Elephant) she had only this patrimony to inspire and give her courage in her venture. She was proud of her father’s name Wiratamulla Gamage Don Francisco Senaratne Kumaraperumal Gajaman Arachchi. Her mother’s name was Dona Nona Babi Hamine. Gajamana Nona was an determined person who relentlessly pursued her vocation despite stiff competition and ultimately reached national fame.

Her main aim was to be someone to achieve this goal, she associated educated priests, and men. With her beauty and knowledge of poetry, she knew, she could influence any man. She made use of this charm in writing her poems.

She was taught by a high priest of Karatota.

Mudaliya Elpatha gave up his robes and priesthood for his love for Gajaman Nona. He had been madly in love with her. In one of Mudaliya Elapatha’s poems (Kavi) he compares Gajaman Nona to a large wild she elephant, who blew her rough long trunk, in many directions destroying a steady healthy yellow banana orchard comparing the Arahat to the steady yellow bannana orchard.

Mudaliya Elapatha, in another poem, compares, Gajaman Nona to a lit lamp, that illuminated the dark world and also was like a beautiful flower, born in a forest, to blush unseen.

She had replied to this poem insulting him for having given up his priesthood for love. And refused to marry him, although he gave up his robes for her sake.

She was supposed to have been in love with two other priests and Englishman John Doyly had been one of her lovers, helping her financially after the death of her husband leaving her with five children.

It says once she write a Love Kavi" (Poem) to him, imploring, to help her and her family and have sympathy for a young beautiful woman like her. She received substantial help from him. Today stands the "Nonage Gimhala" (Nona’s Rest House) built by her for the benefit of the tired pilgrims at the top of Admas Peak, and to commemorate the events of her being stranded in the jungle while going to Adam’s Peak of her father’s demise.

She has left behind, sweet memories of her beautiful poems, for us to enjoy.
- Sri Lanka Guardian