author
Arthur A. Perera
An early 20th-century collector of Sri Lankan folklore, remembered for preserving Sinhalese beliefs, customs, stories, songs, and proverbs in a single compact volume. His work still offers a vivid window into everyday cultural life in Ceylon, now Sri Lanka.
1 Audiobook
Sinhalese Folklore Notes, Ceylon
by Arthur A. Perera
About the author
Arthur A. Perera is known for Sinhalese Folklore Notes, Ceylon, first published in 1917. The book gathers material on Sinhalese beliefs, customs, rites, stories, songs, proverbs, work, play, and social life, and it remains the main work that can be confidently linked to him.
In the book's introductory note, he explains that the material grew out of a series of earlier articles he had contributed to The Indian Antiquary under the title Glimpses of Sinhalese Social Life. He presented the volume as a foundation for further folklore research in Ceylon, showing a clear interest in recording traditions carefully rather than treating them as curiosities.
Reliable biographical detail about his personal life appears to be scarce in the sources I could confirm. What stands out most clearly is his role as an early folklorist and compiler whose writing helped preserve aspects of Sri Lankan cultural memory for later readers and researchers.