A Study on the Unique Oral Characteristics of the Rajarata Vannam Tradition Based on Madiya Vannama

Abstract

The Rajarata Vannam tradition, which is a local Vannam tradition, is an unknown and important singing style heard in the Rajarata area of Sri Lanka. Some of them are unrecorded legendary singing patterns that have been orally transferred from generation to generation for centuries. According to the literary sources, it is said that there are 21 Vannams. Vagollaakada Kirihami Mohottala, who was a descendant of the Kawikara Maduwa of the Kandyan period, is known as the ancient heir of this Vannams. During the field studies carried out in the 1970s, a few vannams were found in the possession of Katagasdigliye Pahaladivulweva Mudalihami. The aim of this research is to study the unfamous singing features of the Rajarata Vannam tradition through Madiya Vannama. The primary sources used for this research were the recordings of the vannam singing, while the books and articles were used as the secondary sources. While analysing the data, it appears that this singing style is very different from the present vannam singing styles in Sri Lanka. Although a certain rhythm or thith pattern is a distinguishing feature of popular Vannam genres, this Vannam has an unrhythmic singing style. The life cycle of the frog is presented in a simple way, which is another unique feature of this vannama. Although the association of a particular beat or dot pattern is the main characteristic of Vannam styles, this Vannam style of singing is atypical. Accordingly, while studying the oral characteristics of the Rajarata Vannam tradition through Madiya Vannama, the final conclusion that can be reached is that it reveals the features of the prose singing style.