From the preface of Dayananda Gunawardena’s “Madhura Javanika” book

I commenced scripting the ‘Madhura Javanika’ drama around the year 1979. This was the time I was attached to the Rupavahini Planning Unit. The incidents I experienced during the development of Sinhalese entertainment programmes while at the Planning Unit influenced me towards the development of ‘Madhura Javanika’.

The wave of cheap entertainment that was spreading in the form of musical programmes in keeping with the economic and technical trends of the west at the time, was beginning to have a bearing on the artists engaged in creative work. It was a time that many were concerned that the people, particularly the younger generation were losing their love for the country, race, and religion. It has become an extremely expensive exercise to be engaged in creative work and the returns to have become very limited.  Investment in cheap entertainment has become very profitable due to such entertainment becoming a cultural trend of the new-rich. It is no surprise that commercial and political patronage are received in abundance for cheap entertainment initiatives as such initiatives have the potential to draw large crowds. This is exactly the theme of ‘Madhura Javanika’. This is not a threat limited to today.  The threat of foreign influences will always remain. Our culture will continue to develop along with this constant battle.

I have used the popular musical show format to take this theme to the audience. The ‘Madhura Javanika’ recital is conducted by the Narrator. He is one who checks on people coming in from foreign lands. Those who come in the drama are singers, instrumentalists, and dancers. What they sing, play and dance are songs, tunes, and dances taken from our legends. They relate our culture. In addition, they talk about current issues that are confronted by the people in the country.

‘Madhura Javanika’ was penned as a performance of varied levels.  It is a drama that looks at our history.  In addition, it depicts the ideas and visions of the different religions and particularly provides a glimpse of the changes that have taken place in Buddhism.  It was my intention to give a glimpse to many incidents including the visits of foreigners the land and their influences, and about the development of the music scene through this drama ‘Madhura Javanika’. I have mostly looked into these incidents while giving prominence to the legends.

Dayananda Gunawardena (06-Nov-1984)