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A Sinhala Evergreen in lively English

'Sinhabahu' by Ediriwira Sarachchandra
Translated into English by Lakshmi de Silva
Godage International Publishers (Pvt) Ltd, Sri Lanka
Reviewed by Lynn Ockersz

Translating 'Sinhabahu', the Ediriwira Sarach- chandra "Classic" in the modern Sinhala dramatic tradition into English, should indeed be considered as daunting a challenge as "climbing Everest without ropes", to use the words of Dr. Lakshmi de Silva, who dared take up this challenge, under the encouragement provided to her by none other than the evergreen Sarachchandra himself, way back in 1975.

The product of Dr. de Silva's endeavours is now out in print and even a casual reading of the translation would convince one that the translator - no stranger to the teaching of English literature in our universities and a translator and literary critic of repute - has achieved to a considerable degree the almost impossible - sensitively conveying in English, the Sinhala poetic gem which is 'Sinhabahu'.

Admittedly, an exceedingly "faithful" translation of a Sinhala drama text of the standing of 'Sinhabahu' is a near impossibility.

This view is prompted by the consideration that the Sinhala verse in the original play is expressive of not only the profoundest and most keenly - felt human emotions but is also resonant with subtly nuanced sentiments which cannot easily be conveyed in a language, which to many in this country continues to be a "foreign" language.

However, Dr. de Silva has, in considerable measure, captured the flavour and the poignancy of the original Sinhala verse in fluent and polished English lines which also approximate the original verse in point of resonance and word music.

These lines of the lion from act 2 of the translation, on finding that his cave and home is empty could be considered proof of these skills:

'My tender daughter
With caressing words
Comforted me, cooked for me,
Fed me, cared for me, feared for me,
Would ask, would seek
To find if pain
Touched me in the wilds,
She too is gone'.

Equally, stirring is the following verse of the distraught lion on the verge of confronting his son:

'I will besiege the universe,
Unsphere the earth-around the world
Turn and return to seek-to seek
Those who would trap me, I will rend
Crush tear, with red these claws shall reek
As I lap-up their dripping blood,
Shatter their eardrums with my sound
As loud as my sky-hurled roars resound'.

Considerable justice, it could be said, has even been done to the following verse from the original Sinhala play, which while summing up the theme of 'Sinhabahu', represents modern Sinhala verse at perhaps its best:

('Love of a son goes deep Piercing skin, flesh and nerve Seeking the bone - Cleaving deep to the marrow It gives incessant sorrow'.)

A preface by Dr. de Silva and a Translator's Note, providing, important insights into the play and how the translation came to be written by the translator, a close associate of Sarachchandra, add to the value of this work. Colour pictures at the end of the book of episodes from numerous productions of 'Sinhabahu', down the years, greatly enhance the appeal of this "collector's item".

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Lanka as an epicentre of interaction

Review by Talia Jayasekera

Sri Lanka and the Silk Road of the Sea,
Publishers and distributors: Sri Lanka Institute of International Relations, Central Cultural Fund, Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO.

Editors: Senake Bandaranayake, Lorna Dewaraja, Roland Silva, K.D.G. Wimalaratne.

Printed by: Gunaratne Offset Ltd (1990), Print Pack Ltd. (2003)

The glossy and polished look of the book with its amazing photography is an impressive sight indeed. Could this be the tome that finally brings rightful recognition to Sri Lanka's wondrous sea - trade history? First published in 1990 in response to a request from the Organising Committee of the Maritime Silk Route Seminar, Sri Lanka and the Silk Road of the Sea', the book comprised of a number of research papers and articles referring to the main ocean highway across the Indian Ocean linking the Middle East and South East Asia with Sri Lanka at a central point.

Many ships sailed in these waters carrying spices, fabrics, herbs, perfumes, precious and mineral resources. The book was re-released this year focusing on the changing times and the modern transformation of the Silk Road into the `Digital Silk Route'.

The book is grouped into four parts with contributions from various distinguished native researchers. The first half deals with Sri Lankan history, archaeology and its international significance, particularly Sri Lanka's role in transregional trade and contact with other countries within the Silk Route.

The two middle sections specifically examine aspects of cultural and commercial relations with South and West Asia and the Mediterranean as well as South-East Asia. The final chapter is devoted to the nautical traditions of the country.

The book provides us with an indepth glimpse of Sri Lanka's interaction with the rest of the world as the centre of the Indian Ocean. The term `silk' was used in olden maritime trade as it was brought from China and was very popular in Sri Lanka. The poem on the 'Mirror Wall' at Sigiriya clearly depicts this as it describes the `golden damsels' wearing Chinese silk. Today, however, the idea of 'Silk Roads' means much more.

It encompasses all aspects of contact and interaction between countries and regions where religious beliefs and practices, migration, warfare, technology were exchanged as a result of sea trading.

The book traces Sri Lanka's dynamic role in these historical activities and seaborne communication. It is a very interesting and exciting read for those, natives and foreigners, interested in this country's pivotal role in the trading of goods and the exchange of beliefs.

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