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(Mohanaya) Hypnotism as a scientific methodology

Author: Professor Granville Dharmavardhana.

Reviewed by Professor A. D. T. E. Perera

The book reveals that the author has broken the barriers that confronted modern scientists by taking a scientific methodology into the field of study that has not been accepted as a scientific discipline so far.

The author deals with nothing else but hypnotism (incidentally the term-Mohanaya - in the Sinhala language has been a point of controversy on etymological grounds as it does not correlate with the English word derived from Latin-Greek 'Hupno' which goes further back into Indo-Aryan 'Svapna' and Sinhala Sihina/hina).

Hypnotism has also considered a mystic or a cryptic science that thrives along with occultism, by those who ridiculed the hypnotists who experimented hypnotism in camera at the beginning.

The author gives a graphic explanation of the early origin of hypnotism and its gradual development from the days of the 16th century Swiss physician Parasylus and how it was absorbed into the therapeutic practice of Western medicine by scientists like Anton Mesmer (pp.6.ff) whose name provided for the term Mesmerism-an early equivalent for hypnotism. When hypnotism was used as a means to trace early psycho-somatic. abnormalities, in particular type of patients, the methodology given an unexpected leap as it were to the search of yet another scientific arena where further research should be done. This however is an arena which cannot be examined through the available instruments and normal faculties at the disposal of scientists.

The author of 'Mohanaya' has left no pebble unturned in the gravel yard of hypnotism in his skilful attempt to pave an easy path towards reaching the destination, where one could find consolation for those who are subject to both psycho physical ailments through the therapeutic method that was so far used not in its full, unfortunately, causing closed chapters for the lives of many unfortunate patients who were diagnosed by doctors as congenital or terminal mentally disabled.

After giving a graphic picture of the historical evolution of this mystic science (sic) of hypnotism, the author takes the reader into other realistic arena of the 'cause and effect' - 'the diseased and the cured' - 'the victim and the victor' through an analytical process of his many case studies. Incidentally Prof. Dharmavardhana's book brings to the limelight the truism of the Buddha's explanation of the World, the behaviour of the living phenomena (Samsara) and all its concomitant, the dependant-co-origination, the causal factors, that the Buddha had explained in the sublime Dhamma, that was unheard of before the rise of the Supreme Buddha, is now made realistically understandable to a good extent even by the average educated person through a scientific perspective by the author's education of quantum-physics which was anathema to most theistic religious and their worldwide bigoted cohorts.

It is noteworthy that psyco-therapeutic treatment was a very ancient practice prevailing among the Sinhalese whose cultural survival found in the ritual dance known as 'Kohombakankariya' and other ancient yakkamas (yaga-karmas) which are purely therapeutic and have nothing to do with the religious cults alone.

Marketing Channel Management - A Customer-centric Approach

Author: Pingali Venugopal -Sage Publications - New Delhi

Review by Chandani Jayatilleke

Marketing is one of the most talked about subjects in the world. Sri Lanka is no exception. In today's context, many youngsters follow higher studies in the marketing stream as the marketing world has opened doors for many lucrative jobs for them. In the recent past, we have seen many local authors have successfully published books in different aspects of marketing. It has happened in India too.

Written by Pingali Venugopal, a Professor in Marketing attached to the Faculty of XLRI, Jamshedpur in India, Marketing Channel Management is a result of his outstanding career. His remarkable teaching stint as a 'Marketing Guru' has inspired him to write the book.

In this well-written book, author Venugopal attempts to give its readers a new thinking in a specialised area in marketing - channel management. A practical-oriented approach to marketing channel management should view it as a function of two entities, the end consumers and the channel members. The entities in their respective way determine the success or failure of the marketing channel management function. This book tries to explain these entities in determining channel decisions.

Following the global patterns, the market place has become very dynamic and demanding as at today. To achieve success, companies need to adopt a customer-centric approach to channel management, where the need to satisfy the end consumers and members of the distribution channel is the key. Venugopal's book provides a balanced presentation of the conceptual and implementation aspects of channel management. The contents of the book have divided into three sections: Environmental Analysis, Developing the Channel Strategy and Managing the Channel. In Environmental Analysis section, the author describes the Indian experiences comparing it with that in USA.

The second section develops frameworks for strategic management decisions based on the understanding of consumer buying behaviour. The third section deals with managing the channel, where implementation programs are developed taking into account the business and social self of channel members. The detailed chapters are enlightened with real-life examples and case studies.

The book will serve as a handy reference for professionals and students of marketing and business management.

Ilankai Cinema - Care Arimuham

Author : Wimal Dissanayake and Ashley Ratnavibushana

review by K. S. Sivakumaran

This is the Thamil version of an earlier book published in English last year. The Asian Film Centre headed by the indefatigable cineastes Ashley and Ranjani Ratnavibushana and assisted by film and cultural academics in the calibre of Wimal Dissanayake and film critics like Robert Crusz is in existence for the past 10 years and is doing productive work in promoting a film culture based on international standards.

The translator, M. I. M. Mansoor is one of the artistic short story writers in Thamil in this country. His effort here is satisfying, although one would welcome his own writing on the local Thamil Cinema. To date only Thambiayah Thevathas remains the authority on Sri Lankan Thamil cinema. He has also compiled a book on the Sinhala Cinema apart from the book on the Thamil films produced locally.

There are other film journalists like Ketharanathan, Maana Mackeen, Augustine Moraes, Bastiampillai Johnson, Molivanan and a crop of new tabloid journalists to mention a few, who could profile the Sri Lankan Thamil Cinema in depth. There are also film columnists with critical perceptions like K. S. Sivakumaran, A. Yesurajah, Uma Varatharajan, Ranja Kumar (and the late Sasi Krishnamurthy) who were regulars at the film festivals. They could with filmmakers form film appreciation societies to understand cinema in a discriminating manner.

One should thank the Asian Film Centre is presenting a book in Thamil on Sri Lankan Cinema. Both Ashley and Wimal are personal friends of mine for more than four decades and their erudition and enthusiasm had always been admired by me. I wish the Centre all the best in its future undertakings. Thamil-speaking readers and libraries should have this useful book.

Budunge Jeevithaya Ha Sabendunu Thurulatha (Flora connected with Buddha's life)
Sinhala adaptation of two English essays by Bussant Bidari

by Piyasiri Amilasith Yapa

Reviewed by: Malini Govinnage

Today, all over the globe, there is a greater awareness of the value in protecting environment. Some 'developed' nations who destroyed environment for financial gains and who are still engaged in it in various forms, are now preaching the rest of the world - especially the poor nations to protect it. Nonetheless, the few nations in the East - majority of whom belonging to the Third World knew the value of environment that sustained them and the catastrophe they would have to face if the trees, animals, birds and waterways were not looked after with love and kindness. In fact, the religions in the East teach most valuable lessons and give good examples for caring for environment. For these people in the past environment is something to venerate and protect.

"Forests and trees associated with Buddha's life" and "The Nativity Tree of Prince Siddhartha" two essays by Bussant Bidari - the chief archaeologist of Lumbini, India is a comprehensive study on the theme.

As we know, the life of Buddha and his Dhamma has many references to trees and forests. In his two essays the writer questions and attempts to clarify certain age old beliefs among Buddhists about the main trees connected to Buddha's life. Was Prince Siddhartha born under a Sal tree (shorea robusta) as many Buddhist texts mention or was it under a Bo tree (Ficus religiosa), or Asoka tree (Saraca Indica)?

In clear and simple language it conveys an important message to the Sri Lankan society of today - that Buddhism, well-being of man and that of environment are inseparably interconnected.

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