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| Wednesday, 9 June 2004 |
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Artscope | |
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The Road from Elephant Pass: Passage to heart of darkness by E.M.G. Edirisinghe Nihal de Silva who won the prestigious Gratiaen Prize for Literature for his maiden novel The Road from Elephant Pass recently is a product of St. Joseph's College and the University of Ceylon. He runs his own business dealing in water purification and the supply of bottled mineral water. In his own words, he has turned to writing fiction to keep himself occupied in his impending retirement. In an interview with the Artscope he explains why he chose novel as the medium of expression. Excerpts: Question: What made you to select novel as your creative medium? Answer: I wanted to discuss a serious subject in a way that many people would read it. Then only I could get my message across. So, I found novel as the most suitable medium for my purpose. Q: What motivated you to select this particular background in Sri Lankan history for your work? A: The first thing that strikes me is the current ethnic conflict. There is no more serious subject than this. Q: I notice two tracks of portrayal intermingling in your narrative. One is the journey through a particular chapter in our history. The other is the journey from Elephant Pass to Colombo. Any comments? A: I was trying to explore the wicked sides of our people. When I got the people to interact, political and other matters came to the surface. I put it in a more stressful environment. Pressure Two people have been brought at the two extreme ends, and put them under pressure within prevailing surroundings. There is a possibility of the foreign reader getting a factual view of the situation in the country at the time, as well. Q: You unveil the excesses of the Army as well as the terror unleashed by the LTTE. What was your objective in highlighting these? A: I find there is no point in painting a wrong picture about our most serious problem. Both communities should be exposed as both are guilty and responsible for the present situation in the country. Q: While the dedicated tiger in Kamala and the committed soldier in Vasantha stayed attached to their respective causes, the humanism within them brought them together in mutual affection to overcome the barriers of hatred and racist bias. Isn't this the essence of your narrative? A: Yes, exactly. I feel humanity is more important than the causes on any side of the divide. It is the human call that should be answered; all the others are bogus. Q: The novel begins with sympathy for Kamala and ends with sympathy for Vasantha. Is this end an outcome of a natural flow of events or did you deliberately design this particular end for your novel? A: There is no sympathy for either of them in the novel. A happy ending in times of war is totally unrealistic. Humanity The war is a tragedy. Finally, it is not the war but humanity that triumphed. Vasantha, of the two, is a better person; and, he is warm hearted. Kamala changed only at the last minute. She steadfastly remained loyal to her mission; she never deviated from it. Q: Your narrative is presented from the point of view of the Army Captain. Did you have any special reason for it? A: Vasantha is a Southerner. I have a lot of admiration for the people from the South. They are violent but good-hearted. Therefore, I selected him to tell the story. Q: Portions of Vasantha's uncensured feelings are inserted in italics. It gives the novel a spicy diversion and a biting punch. How did you conceive this innovation? A: By accident. Q: Upto the point of the informant being exposed to the danger of being raped, she was referred to as Velaithan, and from there onwards she was referred to by her first name Kamala. What made you to bring in this change? A: Development of some kindness in him got him to another plane, and their relationship began to express itself on a different plataeu. Initially it set on to grow little by little for them to rely upon each other. Gradually Kamala began to respect his profession. When an attempt was made to rape her, a degree of intimacy between the two did arise and the soldier in him awoke in full force. Q: You have maintained a sustainable balance between the descriptive and the narrative. Do you agree with me if I say that it had made your novel heavier and absorbing? A: I hope so. Motive of the descriptive part is different. I am a lover of birds. We are at the tip of a sub-continent. Migrant birds During the winter over 200 species of migrant birds take up temporary residence in our island, and together with over 200 species of birds resident, we have over 400 species which itself is exciting. Sri Lanka has a very rich bird life. Both Vasantha and Kamala too, are bird enthusiasts. Apart from our differences, we have a lot of common ground such as on astrology, wildlife, astronomy etc. which we can share. So I got the two of them to share their interests relegating the war between the two to the background. Q: Can you explain the nature of reader response so far for your award winning novel? A: Many people who have read my novel had told me that they liked it. Now it has gone into the second print. There are some good reviews as well. Michael Ondatje is trying to get a foreign publisher for the book, at least for a Sri Lankan diaspora. Q: I find your absorbing work as ideal material for a film. Do you mind lending it for a movie? A: Chandran Ratnam is interested in doing a film based on my novel. The screenplay had been already written. Q: What kind of influence do you wish to exert when your novel is being read in a different medium? A: The basic theme of the novel should not be changed. It is my principal condition. Also, I like to visit the location when shooting begins and watch how the artistes breathe life into my novel. Q: Now, you have stepped into national recognition. How do you feel yourself in this new environment? A: Thoroughly embarrassed. It is my first novel. Q: What are your plans for the future? A: I have just finished my second novel - The Far Spent Day. It is about the culture of violence in our country. **** Back **** |
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