Deeply moving Sinhala classic paying tribute to the selfless sacrifices of a village teacher.
Song Lyrics
පැන මඩකඩිති වැව්
තාවලු වැහි කාලේ
පෙන්නා මග නොමග
නොවැටී යන තාලේ
සිප් කිරි පෙවූ
මූසිලයින් උඩු මාලේ
අපෙ ගුරුතුමා යයි
තාමත් ඉස්කෝලේ
සාමා අමර විකුණති
බස් පොලේ කජු
කුමාරෝද පිටු දන්දෙති
එයින් මතු
උගත මනා ශිල්පය
පිල් කඩ නොපැතූ
වේවැල වටා ඉකිබිඳ
දඩුවමක් පැතූ
රන් මසු පටපිළී
අභරණ උරන වෙලා
සමන් පිච්ච කැකුළිය
ගෙයි මිලිණ වෙලා
ගුරු නිවහනේ කඳුලට
උල්පතක් වෙලා
ලොකු හාමිනේ ඇත
බිතු සිතුවමක් වෙලා
පැන මඩකඩිති වැව්…
Song Information
Song Title: පැන මඩ කඩිති (Pana Mada Kadithi)
Artist: Sunil Edirisinghe, Rohana Weerasinghe
Lyrics: Mahinda Chandrasekara
Genre: Classical / Sarala Gee
Language: Sinhala
Release Year: 1980s
Song Summary
“Pana Mada Kadithi” is an iconic masterpiece by Sunil Edirisinghe that paints a poignant picture of the life of a dedicated village teacher. The mood is somber and deeply respectful, highlighting the contrast between the teacher’s humble, lifelong service and the often ungrateful world around him. It depicts an aging mentor who continues to walk to school through muddy puddles, while his former students—some successful but ungrateful, others struggling for survival—have moved on into vastly different lives.
Song Meaning
The lyrics, written by Mahinda Chandrasekara, explore themes of gratitude, social decay, and the quiet dignity of the teaching profession. The reference to “Musila” (the ungrateful student from Buddhist lore) symbolizes students who reached high positions (“udu male”) but forgot the teacher who nurtured them. Meanwhile, the characters “Sama” and “Amara” (classic figures from Sri Lankan schoolbooks) are portrayed in a harsh reality, selling cashews at bus stands. The song ends on a tragic note, revealing that the teacher’s wife (Loku Hamine) has passed away, becoming a mere “mural on the wall,” leaving the teacher in a house of tears while he still fulfills his duty to society.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is the singer of Pana Mada Kadithi?
The song is performed by the legendary classical vocalist Sunil Edirisinghe.
What is the central theme of the song?
The song reflects on the selfless life of a teacher, the challenges of poverty, and the ingratitude of some who achieve success.
Who wrote the lyrics for this track?
The lyrics were written by Mahinda Chandrasekara.
What does the reference to “Musilayin” mean?
It refers to Musila, a character from the Guttila Kavya who betrayed his teacher, symbolizing ungrateful students who forget their roots after achieving success.
Who are “Sama and Amara” mentioned in the song?
Sama and Amara are the names of the protagonist children in traditional Sri Lankan primary school textbooks. Using them here highlights the gap between the idealistic world of education and the harsh reality of poverty.