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| Friday, 30 May 2003 |
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Comical tales from the past The Adventures of Andaray, the court jester : Mahadenamutta - the old man who knew everything Retold by Vijitha Fernando Every country has its own folk tales and Sri Lanka is no exception. Nearly every one of us has been raised on the escapades of the two loveable characters, Andaray and Mahadenamutta, that have been handed down by generations of storytellers. Many are the little capsules of wisdom that have emerged from these narratives that have been spun down the ages and later became our first primers. As children, we too had been initiated into certain complex and subtle values that characterise the culture into which we are born through folk tales such as these. These ancient accounts as a distillation of wisdom and experience often help mould our childhood and enrich our lives. The antics of Andaray and Mahadenamutta are the country's corresponding similarity to Aesop's Fables, combined of course by some smart and witty maxims of our ancestors. Both narratives by Vijitha Fernando have been published and packaged in neat, compact form and are superbly illustrated with fine-line drawings by Sybil Wettasinghe. Who could match such a winning combination of two legends in the literary scene who complement each other so sucessfully? I still vividly recall both Vijitha and Sybil, who while adorning the Lake House editorial office were regarded by all their colleagues as committed professionals. Vijitha, always calm and composed in neatly draped saree and despite her pressing schedule always found the time to lend a sympathetic ear to the woes of her colleagues. She was the trusted confidante of many. And the petite Sybil, charged with energetic enthusiasm provided a pleasant picture as she flitted around sporting the most fashinable pony-tail imaginable. Both little compendiums with a foreword by journalist/painter Neville Weereratne will prove equally appealing to children as they are to adults. Ms. Fernando virtually brings the bumbling Mahadenamutta, the silliest sage of Sri Lankan fiction and the legendary Andaray with his acid wit, to life. Besides being entertaining, the stories in both publications are narrated with an elegant simplicity and a sensitive, gentle humour. Ms. Fernando's easy, flowing style will, without a doubt, help reinforce the language skills of children of all ages. Her writing remains faithful to the original tales although many of the yarns may have probably differed according to the fancies of the old raconteurs. As the author so inventively explains the conflicting versions of how Andare came to Kandy: "Who can explain the eccentricities of a man like Andare?" Ms. Wettasinghe has illustrated each story in both little publications with an extraordinary precision for detail in her highly individual artistic style. Her graphics at the same time succeed in injecting a sense of liveliness to the joyful appeal of the stories while capturing the amusing aspect of each beautifully homespun tale by the author. Many of the stories in these small anthologies are replete with apt morals, showing how profundities can be simplified, how dilemmas can be resolved and how simpletons can pronounce hallowed judgements. These are also portrayed with quaint examples of subtle cunning. They are an ideal and practical gift for children anywhere and no school library would be complete without them. Because both publications are a superbly compiled selection of anecdotes from our best known folk tales into which the author cleverly fills in with her vibrant language while retaining their fine, folksy flavour. And Vijitha Fernando, as a professional artisan displays her skillful capability of amplifying that delightful little twist to their tale. ###### "Vesak Lipi" Compiled and Edited by : Upali Salgado "Vesak Lipi" is a magazine rich in content and an attractive publication and this year's cover picture is something with a difference, depicting in colour a teenage novice (Samanera) Buddhist monk of Nepal, in prayer at Saranath, India where the Buddha preached his first sermon, and this added colour and glamour to a Buddhist-digest of rare origin. This publication commemorates the 19th edition and is highly commendable for the untiring single-handed efforts of Upali Salgado for bringing-out a Vesak Number so colourful, readable and full of thoughts to ponder about. The first part is dedicated as a Sinhala-section ranging from pages 2 to 7 with a galaxy of writers both clergy and lay and among them are Ven. Heenatiyana Dhammaloka Thissa Maha Thera, Ven. Pandit Thirukunamale Ananda, Ven. Bokundara Kusaladhamma, Ven. Pandit Rajawelle Subuthi, Ven. Kudagala Kovidha (poem), Ven. Agolakada Sirisumana, Ven. Madihe Chandananda with Dr. W. G. Weeraratne, Dannister I. Fernando, J.A.B. Amarasinghe, N. Wijenayake, with a colourful picture of the casket of the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy and a picture-series of the Seruwila Managala Raja Maha Viharaya. A garland of thoughts in English, adorn the latter, portion of 'Vesak Lipi' is highlighted with a Vesak-Day address 2000 at the United States Assembly by our renowned Theravada Buddhist monk BHIKKU BODHI under the thought provoking article "The Buddha, the Enlightened One and the Enlightener". Great "Eight Meritorious Acts" by Ven. Pannala Sumedha Thera, "Overcome Pain in the Buddhist Way" by Rajah Kuruppu, Prof. P.D. Premasiri's "Thoughts on Nibbana"; E.M.G. Edirisinghe's "Gods in the Life of a Buddhist"; Hells and Heavens in Buddhism" by A.G.S. Kariyawasam; Based on Truth under the caption "Validity of Buddhist Approach to Reality" by Prof. Carlo Fonseka; a series of life stories and songs to remember under the subject "Admirable Buddhist Women" by Upali Salgado; "Symbolic use of water in early Buddhism" by Ven. Dr. H. Saddhatissa Maha Thera; Dr. Lorna Dewaraja's march to the past under the heading "A gold thread links Sri Lanka and Maynmar" and his "Heart Bleeds for Orphans" with the wrap-up J.P. Pathirana's "World Peace through Buddhism", give food for thought of the said contributions from the writers; that can be read and re-read to contemplate the reading pleasure of the readers. In between a colour-picture of the historic Kelani Temple, the Kelani Raja Maha Vihare, think of Loba, Dwesa, Moha depicting a black and white vertical picture of an "Ata-Sakilla" draws an attention worthy of note. Attention of readers of a human-story which is a story of great compassion related by Mallika Wanigesundera depicts a world-picture "His heart bleeds for orphans" and a miscellany from a Monk's Alms-Bowl by Anand; is another miscellany ended-up with "Aniccha Wata Sankhara" is remembering those who have passed away in attaining the bliss of Nibbana and Editor of the Buddhist digest Salgado, has not forgotten in thanking all those who have contributed to bring out the Gift of the Dhamma that excels all other Gifts. This magazine is not for sale and a copy of the 'Vesak Lipi' may be obtained in contacting Upali Salgado, JP, Editor' Manager, Vesak Lipi', 29, Deal Place (A), Colombo-3 and any financial assistance to defray the printing expenses are welcome. ###### Maldives, a historical overview of traditional Dhivehi polity 1800-1900 Author: Mohamed Nasheed Reviewed by Ahmed Naseer Apart from history buffs and general readers, researchers with a keen interest on the development and evolution of ethnic systems, will find this new work by Mohamed Nasheed a valuable source for further reading and research. In this work Nasheed gives a distillation, in English, of his mammoth research titled "Dhangandu Dhahanaa" (Iron Armour) analysing the factors that shaped the period, when Maldives became a British protectorate. "Understanding the nature of the Traditional Dhivehi Polity by systematically picking up the pieces that shaped the events of the Maldivian political history of the 1800s allows one to understand the boundaries of action in that polity and further gives room to show the interactions that led to the eventual formation of the modern Dhivehi State." This attractive publication includes rare photos and illustrations in colour, and can be a fresh window on the many-layered chronicles of Maldivian history. Nasheed began researching the original work in Dhivehi during early 1990. Apart from his many interests in the arts and literary fields, Nasheed is best known in his native country Maldives, as a leading voice and activist in researching and publication of early Maldivian history. His focus on historical research and his deep desire to develop Maldivian arts and culture led him into the parliament in the year 2000. After a brief service of two and a half years as the MP for Male' constituency, Mohamed Nasheed is now wholeheartedly engaged in promoting his intellectual interests and publishing. He has gained popular support in Maldivian literary circles and is gaining recognition in the region. Educated in Maldives and United Kingdom, Nasheed's prose is quite sharp and surgical in approach. His investigative drive and his relentless search to uncover the often-illusive fabric of Maldivian society, give hope for the students of Maldivian history and culture. This book, printed and published in Sri Lanka, is available from main book stores in Colombo and Maldives. Further information about ongoing research activities and past publications of Mohamed Nasheed can also be obtained from the Oriental Academic Centre, H. Madarusaadhoshuge, Hadeebeemagu, Male', Maldives. ###### 'Budu Dahamin Opawath Vunu Yahapath Samajayak' : A moral society illuminated by Buddhism Editor: Stanley Perera Review: Nadira Gunatilleke This book consists of ten valuable Bana preached by ten prominent Bhikkus and three lectures delivered by eminent scholars. Among the famous bhikkus contributed for the program were Chancellor, University of Kelaniya, Ven. Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Thera, Senior Lecturer, University of Sri Jayawardenepura, Ven. Meegoda Pannaloka Thera, Shastrapathi Ven. Kotapola Amarakiththi Thera and Ven. Kolonnawe Siri Sumangala. Among the scholars delivered lectures were Senior Lecturer, National Institute of Education, S. L. R. D. Rathugama and Senior Lecturer, University of Colombo, Daya Rohana Athukorala. Basically all the lectures and Bana preaching are based on the theme of building a moral society by using Buddhist teachings and values. The subjects include Buddhism for a better society, Let's enjoy the real friendship, Warning, Let's turn into the correct path. |
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