The candles are dimmed...an era draws to a close
 

BY AFREEHA Jawad

IT was a beautiful way of remembering the late Regi Siriwardena - journalist, poet, thinker and scholar. However, the ICES may have done one better had it started the programme earlier.

Remarkable indeed was the remembrance of Siriwardena when his own tribe failed to do so for he was first a journalist and remained so for quite a long period - more than ten years - before he moved into scholarly environs.

The elegance and simplicity in the decor meticulously attended to, should not have missed any aesthetic eye.

The myriad tiny bulbs neatly fixed on to a canopy of white cloth bordered in green scallops that was to be the small assembly's shelter, the numerous candle stands on all sides assuring light in case of some eventuality, voiced the occasion's dignity and solemnity.

Cascades of pleated white satin coming off the white canopy were neatly tied up at mid point which interception broke the monotony of an otherwise plain white flow on all sides. Placed on a side was Siriwardena's portrait itself highlighted by flickering candles.

Adding to all such dignity and poise were the piano and cello recitals by Soundarie David and Tamara Holsinger, whose renditions from Faure and Bach not to forget Dilrukshi Fernando's scintillating singing cutting through the stilled darkness certainly did Siriwardena proud though shrouded in invisibility.

Many did not even mind going through the nearly three hour program despite seat shortage - perhaps symbolic of the high regard and affection they had for him which on occasions otherwise may have invited kicking of many heels.

Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy, chairperson, ICES, referring to the late writer as openly political and deeply spiritual said his ascetic lifestyle was a manifestation of his identification with the marginalized.

Espousing the cause of social justice he denounced peripheral existence, majoritarianism and hated hypocrisy. He was a part of a bilingual generation.

While being one of the era's great nationalists he also was tormented by a strong sense of universalism.

Tempered by Marxism's intellectual tradition he would discuss,cajole and even provoke the young to think differently. He lived simple. Books and music were his luxuries which was why a musical tribute was arranged.

Coomaraswamy even affectionately recalled how the late Siriwardena while on official trips would break into verse at lakes and reservoirs.

She also reminisced how he made ICES a special place to look for new answers to life.

Godfrey Gunatilleke saw in Siriwardena an unconventional personality whose main interest was the expression of what lay deepest in him. Siriwardena approached literature as a world of knowledge and deep in human experiences of which he went right into the centre. Philosophy to him was illusion and poetry real.

As a believer in the human condition being tragic, his spirituality came off in his poetry, writings and drama. Siriwardena's uniqueness was in the 1940s period with eroding values, which time he saw as the second coming of Yeats. The Trotskyites' corruption of power appealed to him very much.

Gunatilleke also observed Siriwardena's uniqueness to be derived from his experiences. He also recalled him to be a brilliant undergraduate of the University's English Department when Gunatilleke entered its precincts.

Remarkable was how he balanced disbelief, conviction and passion. Tissa Abeysekera remembering Siriwardena referred to his public image that did not correspond to his towering genius. The most profound things he would express in simple terms.

Erudition looked common sense to him. An enigma Abeysekera noted in Siriwardena was the interest with which he learnt French and Russian over his own mother tongue which when questioned the reply was, "its a waste of time".

Abeysekera probing further said he had a clue to Siriwardena's inhibition and recited the 'Colonial Cameo' where he speaks of himself as a product of a father whose hero was Napoleon and a mother that knew not the superior tongue.

She once had entered the classroom and upon leaving it after meeting the teacher had said; "Gihin Ennan", whereupon the boys came sniggering and shouted "gihin waren".

"Those snobbish little bastards" says Siriwardena in his Colonial Cameo. "I was ashamed of my mother" he continues and now "I'm ashamed of that shame".

Continuing Abeysekera said that wherever they may be "those snobbish little bastards", it was that mother who produced the English scholar that was Regi.