OBA APPLE MALAK WAGE

oba æpal malak vāgē

lassana vasanta kālē

maṭa hadissiyen vāgē hamu vū

Although apple blossoms are not naturally seen in Sri Lanka, globally, their appearance in spring symbolizes not only renewal and nature’s wonder but also innocence, youth, and the transient beauty of time. In this song, the young man recalls his deep, unexpected emotions upon first encountering a beautiful young woman, and he spends the night in memories of her. The woman is likened to an apple blossom, while the young man sees himself as representing the spring season, symbolizing his own youth. This suggests that she arrived like spring, suddenly bringing vibrance to his otherwise solitary life.

pāyanna dǣsa mānē

unuhumaṭa gindarī

geniyanna māge gānē mē hitama sundarī

digu dǣse bælma obagē

æyi soduru oya hæṭī

In this section, the young man feels an intense longing to see her again, expressing his emotions as a fire-like warmth. Upon realizing that he has met someone who resonates with him, his heart races. In Sinhala culture, “rat wenava” or “warming up” can describe a heart aflame with excitement. The young man refers to her as “Gindari” (fire-like) to highlight her ability to inflame his emotions, which suggests that he’s been irresistibly drawn to her gaze.

æs piyen adī kǣli kæpena ralu rātriyē

kīri gæhena sita anuhasa ayadī prēmayē

eya pamanak śēśaya vī nam pūrvātmayē

oba gævasena mā hita avinītayi

avanata næti netaṭada avivēkayi

hudekalāva avanaḍuvak… gǣnu ḷamayō

By describing the “jagged night,” he implies that even at midnight, he remains sleepless, entirely absorbed in her memory. Although the night began beautifully, he now calls it harsh, suggesting that her memory, though sweet, has become painful. He’s caught in the grip of fascination and early love, realizing that her presence alone is no longer enough; he longs for her love as well. He contemplates that this love might be a connection carried over from a previous life, making him desire her not just visually but spiritually as well.

iṭi rūpe apūruva vidinna man hari āsayi

pintūre vagē oba hinæhenakoṭa maṭa lōbayi

ahitak hitanne næti nam man hari ādareyi

kiyāganna bæri kamin hita barayi

īyē ada men heṭat ehema veyi

hudekalāva avanaḍuvak… gǣnu ḷamayō

Here, he realizes his love for her and begins to feel possessive, desiring to make her his own. Her smile, like a beautiful painting, is something he selfishly wishes to keep for himself. Aware that he lacks the courage to confess, he acknowledges that he might not meet her physical attractiveness, as he imagines her as a beautiful figure, comparing her to an exquisite sculpture or portrait. This uncertainty leads him to feel that, though he yearns to express his feelings, he may never find the words.