Magazine

Kumudi, a young publisher with fresh ideas

BY ANJANA Gamage

PRINTING, publishing and distribution sectors are normally considered a male dominated 'market'.

But at a recent book launching ceremony, I came to witness that it was not so.

The book was authored by popular singer Deepika Priyadarshani Peiris and was published and distributed by Kumudi de Silva- which represented a perfect female combination.

Kumudi who hails from Ambalangoda is only 23 years. The young lass who has fallen in love with the 'publishing and distributing' sectors narrated her life-story last week.

"I have studied A/Ls in Maths at Dharmashoka Vidyalaya in Ambalangoda.

"After completing my studies, I joined Vijitha Yapa Book Shop.

"There I came to learn a lot on books and served under many sections as well.

The experience I gained from Vijitha Yapa's assisted me in many ways to what I am today", she said.

Later, Kumudi's meeting with Roland Fernando of Tharaka Publishers turned her life to a new path.

"He donated all his books to me to distribute under my publication.

That is how I started my own publishing house under the name of 'Keshawa Publishers and Distributors, Maththegoda, Polgasowita' in 2004.

After opening the publishing house, my next goal was to print my own publication of Keshawa. Deepika Priyadarshani was a staff member at Anula Vidyalaya where my mother was also attached.

"Through my mother's contacts, I came to know her. During my meetings with her, she said that she had compiled a research book on music and presented a copy of it to me for an overview.

"When I went through the notes, I realised that if this book is being published, it will be a benefit for teachers as well as the students.

"Then I decided to go ahead with my hidden idea of publishing a book ", she said.

'Sangeetha Adyanayen Prabhamath Anagathayakata' (For a bright future through learning music) written by Deepika was the outcome of Kumudi's long-term wish.

"I received a good feedback from all the other leading book publishers and printers in the country.

"As a helping hand to a new comer to the industry, most of them purchased copies from me. Few copies have been distributed to school libraries as well.

"Apart from that, my parents, brothers and sisters along with many others supported me to come so far in a very short period of my entry into this 'new world', she further said.At present Kumudi is studying for her external degree in Business Administration from Sri Jayawardhanapura University.

'Sunamiyaka Sula Mula' - (a scientific background of a tsunami) written by Achini Mekala a university student, will be the second publication of Keshawa for the forthcoming International Book Fair, to be held in September.

The young publishing lady's next desire is to open her own book shop along with a printing press one day. We wish her all the best!