On July 26, 1978 at the New Town Hall, Colombo, Sri Lanka, inauguration of a collection of lyrics born in the crucible of the April 71 struggle, composed with tears streaming weary eyes, sweat and blood pouring from battered bodies, and hearts bowed low under the weight of pain, was an endeavour to steer the living traditions of Sri Lankan song, music and art towards a new and more truthful horizon.