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| Wednesday, 18 January 2004 |
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Re-reading Piyadasa Sirisena: Focus on books by Prof. Sunanda Mahendra When I received the five volumes of Sinhala novels written by Piyadasa
Sirisena (1875-1946) compiled by Ms. Jayalatha Medawatta, senior lecturer
in Sinhala studies, at the Sri As a pioneer Sinhala novelist, who was also a remarkable journalist who clamoured for the liberation from colonial rule, he was a dedicated social reformer, a follower of Anagarika Dharmapala, in both the social thought and deed. Intention The intention of Ms. Medawatta's compilation is to introduce the long forgotten works of Piyadasa Sirisena, to the contemporary scholars who are more moulded on pseudo-literary nuances with a half baked knowledge in their own indigenous culture. As such whatever the shortcomings one may see in the actual compilation, I feel that the compiler lecturer should be commended for her remembrance of a legacy fully worth reviving for the posterity. On reading these novels, numbering to 19 and split into five volumes, I observe that another Sirisena has been a narrator who seems modernistic in the use of his creative techniques. While we overemphasize the literary creative trends and techniques as borrowed from the occident, we also observe that these works contain the most modern techniques such as letters, monologues, poems, dialogues, sermons, fantasies etc. It is surprising to see that one beholds Tom Wolfe as a new journalist and the new novels he has written are based on these journalistic techniques adopted in his investigative reporting. Similarly, one sees that novelist Sirisena making use of a Protagonist Wickramapala as a detective cum social reformer to unearth some of the social injustices of the day. Wickramapala, the detective of Sirisena, is true enough a pious person exalting all the doctrines of Buddhism to unearth the hidden social maladjustments. He is once shown as a teacher, and his life and adventures revolve round, disasters which he overcomes via virtues, which remind one of the most modern 'superman'. Difference But the difference is that he does not fly or enter into fantasies, instead uses the power of meditation, which is more realistic than magical as a narrative technique. One grave factor the novelist exposes is the formulation of a superior personality via spiritual means, which is really the spirit of orientalism that is new rediscovered in modern literary education. The re-reading works of Sirisena bring to mind that the most important factor is the insistence of the rootedness in creativity. This factor should not be deemed as a parochial phenomenon, for the great writer of the calibre of Tolstoy too depended for the most part on the indigenous conscience born out of the creator's soil. This does not mean to say that a writer should not be influenced from other cultures. Sirisena may have gained inspiration from most of the sources abroad, but in his actual treatment of his material he is for the most part free from those words. Literary studies This is a factor that has to be delved for more seriously in comparing literary studies, a branch which is totally absent in our higher academe. It would have been better if the compiler had utilised some of the modern day editing techniques indicating classifications such as thematic treatment, use of language, explanation of terms and usages etc. All in all, these 19 novels, compiled into five volumes should be made re-read as works and texts in comparative literary studies. An active present day lecturer on literary studies could embark on a new socio-communication study on Piyadasa Sirisena, without either defying him or condemning him. **** Back **** |
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Jayewardenepura
University, and commenced reading, I was reminded of the pronouncement by
T. S. Eliot that every decade or so, a critic or a good reader will
reappear on the literary scene to appreciate or taste the flavour of the
creative works of the past decade.For a moment, when I was reminded of
this assessment or the taste of the flavour of past creative works, I feel
that genuine judgment is not really pronounced on Piyadasa Sirisena and
his works, which include for the most part novels, and poetry collections.
