The music of the Nurti (or Nurthi, pronounced noorthi) in Sri Lanka, played an important part in building up the musical taste of the average Sri lankan. Proctor John de Silva, and Charles Dias were two great exponents of this art form. John de Silva worked with the talented Indian musician Vishvanath Louji, who composed the music for his plays.

In his book, "The History of Proctor John de Silva Dramatic Literature", LDA Ratnayaka, a contemporary of John de Silva gives vivid accounts from the artistic life of this national hero. Written in Sinhala, the book begins with a list of all the works by the playwright.

"The History of Proctor John de Silva Dramatic Literature" - LDA Ratnayaka

     (1st Print - Oct. 1963, 2nd Print  - Dec. 1964)

 

 

The complete list of dramas by Proctor John de Silva

1.Nala Raja Charithaya - 1886

2.Lanka Dahan Hevath Maha Ramayanaya - 1886

3.Gini Hatanaya - 1886

4.Seetha Haranaya Hevath (Ginigath) Ramayanaya  - 1886

5.Dascon Natakaya - 1888

6.Indrasabha Namathi Maduravu  Hindustan  Natakaya (printed in Gujarati script) -  1888

7.Parangihatane - 1889-1917

8.Parabhava Natakaya (Sura Kandaya) - 1901-1902

9.Parabhava Natakaya (Sirith Kandaya) - 1902

10.Uttara Rama Charithaya - 1902

11.Sirisangabo Charithaya - 1903

12.Ramayana Natakaya - 1904

13.Shakunthala Natakaya - 1904

14.Sri Vikrama Rajasinha (Ape anthima Raja) - 1906

15.Rathnavali Natakaya - 1906

16.Valagamba Charithaya - 1907

17.Mahila Natakaya - 1908-1909

18.Othalo Nam Vanisiye Yona Namathi Ingrisi Natakaya - 1909

19.Hamlat Natakaya - 1909

20.Merchant Of Venice (Vansiye Velenda) - 1909

21.Dutugamunu Charithaya - 1910

22.Padmini Natakaya - 1910

23.Dinathara Natakaya - 1910

24.Mahanama Charithaya - 1913

25.Alakeshvara Charithaya - 1913

26.Kav Hatane - 1913

27.Kinglear Namathi Ingrisi Natakaya (Sinhalayen) - 1913

28.Abdul Hameed -  1914-1915

29.Devanampiyatissa Charithaya - 1914

30.Viharamahadevi Charithaya - 1916

31.Marananusmruti Prakaranaya - 1916

32.Mithra Drohi Prakaranaya -1916

33.Surasonda Prakaranaya - 1916

34.Sinhala Bhasha Prakaranaya - 1916

35.Vessanthara Jataka - 1916

36.Mimmata Mimma Namathi Madhura Natakaya - 1916

37.Kusa Jataka Drushya Kavya - 1916

38.Sri Vikrama Rajasinha (Ape Anthima Raja) Deveni Kandaya Kappetipola - 1917

39.Duscharitha Bhanga Prakaranaya  - 1919

40.Vidhura Jathaka Dhrushya Kavya - 1919

41.Dutugamunu Charithaya (Ananda Vidyalayata) 1917-1919

42.Nagananda Natakaya - 1919

The copyright of this article belongs to Harsha Makalande. It may be copied or quoted for educational purposes, with credit given to the author.