Nobody learns from history

The Giniralla Conspiracy
Author: Nihal de Silva
Publishers: Vijitha Yapa Publications
Price: Rs. 599
pp 359

Review: E. M. G. Edirisinghe

FICTION: It is not descriptive but narrative; it is not assertive but evocative. And, it is casily readable and capable of taking the reader to a definitive and inducing him to a speedy reading. The late Nihal de Silva gets his narration to flow smoothly and lightly urging the reader to reach the end in one single breath.

Sujatha Mallika the central character forms the nucleus as well as the periphery of the novel around whom the hazards of Sri Lankan university life is disclosed, while upon moving to the life outside, she is once again used as an instrument to delineate the principle characteristics of an ill-conceived and mis-calculated uprising of the immature youth who had only a cosmetic touch of what is an insurrection aimed at capturing state power after launching an armed attack called Ginirella (Wave of Fire).

It tells the reader how foolish the youth are to imagine that capturing State power and holding on to it is as easy as a bunch of ‘freshers’ being made to crawl under a bench and kneel before them.

The plot as well as the linguistic flow of the novel is simple and comfortably paced which makes the novel easy to understand and take grip of the story. It creates a momentous impact on the reader. A fictional composition within the intellectual reach of the readership, it is quite a contrast with his first novel The Road from Elephant Pass which won the coveted Gratiaen Prize in 2003.

Significance

It recounts the events that led to a failed revolution of the youth for which the required background was laid within the university campus which really exists in isolation of the social and cultural reality of the country.

For an elite reader its significance lies in its robust sub text which communicates that no social upheaval or an uprising aimed at capturing political power using force cannot succeed without right and able leadership, and the situation too, being ripe for such a violent uprising which the masses are prepared to accept in the eventuality as an inevitability.

A remarkable feature in this fictional work by Nihal de Silva is the manifestation of his enormous ability and capacity, and the talent to switch on to a completely different narrative rhythm that harmonizes well with the theme of the narration which is totally different from the style he adopted in his previous novel, The Road to Elephant Pass.

The Giniralla Conspiracy is a plot designed and carried forward by the university students to capture State power by forcibly overthrowing the ‘adult-rule.’ However, they failed to comprehend the difference between the theory and practice. Murder of a few selected individuals is easy, but an armed struggle to capture power is far from it which the revolutionary youth failed to understand.

University students whose view was that they have reached maturity of conviction and possessed the strength and organizational capacity for a massive mission solely in the light they displayed in subjecting the ‘freshers’ to humiliation and submission.

The ‘seniors’ were inspired by this distorted ‘success’ that they could topple the government and subjugate the armed forces to their will. They projected their success in suppression of the campus community into subordination to a magnitude that could take over State power through an armed struggle.

Thus the initial mistake of equating the subjective success of terrorising a mere vociferous student community to an ideal background for a revolution naturally proved to be suicidal.

Rapid movement

Grip of the reader is on the storyline which in its spirit captures the rapid movement towards the realization of the goal of capturing State power. However fictional the characters of a novel is, it cannot be divorced from the existing social, cultural and political reality of the time it reflects. A novel is essentially a work of a fertile imagination and intellectual presentation. It is rooted to the issues at ground level.

So is The Ginirella Conspiracy. So Mallika is not a character fallen from the sky, but is one thrown up by the very society that brought pressure on her personal and academic life in her early teens with serious psychological repercussions to surface later.

The author takes the Sri Lankan reader straight to a failed anti-government conspiracy on the assumption that the reader himself is familiar with the background in which Sri Lanka was politically and historically place within the period of early seventies and the late eighties in the past century.

However much history repeats itself, none will learn anything from history because that segment of the people who were directly and indirectly associated with the event together with the environment that existed them are no more.

So history renews itself with each passing age. The Giniralla Conspiracy too, is a reflection which portrays that nobody learns from history, rather they prefer to create history.

The prose de Silva uses here is earthy and conversational which makes his work simple and lighter in composition. His prosaic style here is a rare gift with which he is endowed when compared with his earlier works.

Finally, when Sujatha Mallika says “I can’t do much, but I must do what I can,” it sums up that their aspirations and ambitions fall well short of reality that and existing at ground level within the current socio-political environment.

Delightful novel with a luminous halo

Tharu Bambasara
Author: Rupa Sriyani Ekanayake
Sooriya Publishers, Colombo 10
279 pp. Price Rs. 350

Review: R. S. Karunaratne

FICTION: The storyteller is the perennial delight of mankind. He introduces, out of his imagination, characters who look real. He entertains us by the unusual turn of events. What is more, he gives us a fresh insight into human personality.

Rupa Sriyani Ekanayake in her latest Sinhala novel Tharu Bambasara has succeeded in doing all these functions. She introduces Mayuri, Kamali, Mahasen and other minor characters who have a semblance of reality. She makes the reader glued to the pages by keeping him in suspense: What will happen next? What will happen to Mayuri?

Mahasen is a round character full of compassion, suspicion, ambition, hatred and love. He goes the full circle before resolving his differences with his wife - Mayuri - and repenting for his decisions.

The theme of the novel appears to be that steadfast faith can move mountains. Mayuri is so attached to Mahasen that she loves him even after their temporary separation. He threatens to divorce her but she stays calm. This shows her undying love for him.

Although many original Sinhala novels lack dramatic quality in them, Tharu Bambasara stands above them. It unravels a story full of dramatic events. There is also tension created by the conflict of characters in action.

For instance, Mahasen is a committed film director who does not have much time for his wife and daughter. Kamali is a woman obsessed with money and fame. She will go to any extreme to realise her ambition. Meanwhile, Mayuri agrees to act in a nude scene very much against her conscience.

All these events add the dramatic element to the novel.

Despite the inherent limitations, the author has chosen the first person narrator to tell us Mayuri’s story. She is a village girl who happens to marry a well-known film director.

Her husband - Mahasen - makes her an actress who wins awards later on. Mayuri becomes a target of ridicule after her nude performance in a film directed by her husband.

After reading the novel at several sittings, I was reminded of Virginia Woolf’s memorable words, “Life is not a series of gig lamps symmetrically arranged; but a luminous halo, a semi-transparent envelope surrounding us from the beginning of consciousness to the end”.

Tharu Bambasara proves this point.

Murals depicting aesthetics of Buddhist art

Bellanwila Murals
A. Sarasavi Publication
Editor: Albert Dharmasiri
Price: Rs. 1450

Review: Somachandre Wijesuriya

MURALS: Bellanwila is a village just three kilometres away from city limits close to Boralesgamuwa, which has a unique image house in the temple constructed during the time of Ven. Bellanwila Sri Somaratana Nayaka Thera (1905-1984). The shrine was inspired by the design of Jethavanarama built by Parakramabahu the Great who launched architecture distinctive to Polonnaruwa period.

These murals have been brought into a grandiose pictorial publication with the kind efforts of Ven. Bellanwila Dhammaratana, Professor Bellanwila Wimalaratana and among others R. Rajamahendran of Maharaja Organization. The volume is attractively presented in four colour publication of 112 pages 150 gsm with hard cover in demy 1/4 size.

The photography of Gamini Jayasinghe has captured the grandeur of the murals exquisitely and Albert Dharmasiri has edited the volume and provided two articles on artistic and religious significance of the paintings.

Dharmasiri’s interesting comments trace the history of modern temple mural paintings starting with Maligawage Sarlis (1880-1955). Despite Sarlis’s contribution to the Buddhist revival of the early twentieth century his paintings represent a decline in the aesthetic vision of a rich pictorial traditional of Buddhist temple paintings in Sri Lanka. His crafts was a poor imitation of western realism.

Dharmasiri credits Solis Mendis (1897-1975) who executed the murals of Kelaniya Rajamahavihara and created crests of gems in twentieth century Buddhist paintings of Sri Lanka. Gotami Vihara paintings of George Keyt executed in modern idiom also contributed immensely to Buddhist paintings of the twentieth century.

Religious ecstasy

Bellanwilla murals have been described as “a landmark achievement in terms of pictorial beauty reflecting a sublime religious ecstasy.”

The themes cover the life of the Buddha, the story of King Asoka of India who sent his son, Arahat Mahinda to introduce Buddhism to Sri Lanka, and the history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. The paintings are a blend of Sri Lankan, Indian and Southeast Asian traditional styles, which have evolve through Somabandu’s work to become his own.

Somabandu Vidyapathy was born in the village of Pannipitiya in 1923 and is no longer with us. As a teenager he studied dancing under Chitrasena for a short time but relinquished dancing to pursue his studies in painting and sculpture. In 1945 he went to Santhinikethan where he studied painting under the veteran master Nandalal Bose who was one of the pioneers of national tradition of painting in modern India.

Albert Dharmasiri says that Somabandu’s paintings are products of a devout Buddhist. The paintings that adorn the southern wall of the ambulatory are outstanding creations remarkable for the rhythmically organized compositions as well as the richness of the decorative structure.

Somabandu’s pictorial interpretations correspond with literary descriptions of Buddhist legends. Patachara protecting her children tally with the literary text of Buddhism.

The dramatic handling of the human figure, the meticulous handling of colour effects, the emphatic outline with a clear aim of increasing the plastic effect, the unequivocal expression of feeling, the expressive treatment of the hands are dominant characteristics of the artist’s style.

Principal colours

The colouring is simple but most effective. Principle colours are tonal variations and shades of yellow, red, brown, green, blue, white and black. the use of perspective is complex.

Shanding and highlighting are used not to indicate any source of light but to impart a sense of three dimensionality to the figurative forms. The depiction of glittering jewellery and fluttering drapery contribute to the rhythmic movement that pervades every aspect of the pictorial composition.

These murals which reflect a sublime religious experience fall into three thematic categories; the life of the Buddha (Prince Siddhartha as a layman and after attaining Nibbana - enlightenment), the story of King Asoka and the history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Professor H.T. Basnayake and Dr. Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thera too have contributed articles on the temple and image shrine.

The pictorial volume is of interest for anyone interested in aesthetics of Buddhist art and a presentation item which will be treasured for a long time.

Fall in love with poetry

Critical Approach to Poetry for Ordinary Level
Authors: Dr. H. Alahakoon,
Nilusha Alahakoon
Author publication: Watupitiwala Farm Watta Walpola, Ruggahawila
105 pp. Price Rs. 140.

Review: R.S. Karunaratne

POETRY: In a survey conducted some time ago 20 people were asked whether they read poetry. The people questioned belonged to many walks of life: teachers, factory workers, doctors, musicians and clerks.

Only one of them said she read poetry as a form of recreation. Another person said he read poetry published in newspapers and magazines. A few of them said they read poetry occasionally. The majority of them said they never read poetry.

The survey was conducted in a foreign country. I think the situation here may be even worse. After leaving school nearly 90 p.c. of students give up poetry. One reason may be that there is no money in poetry. If you write a book of poetry, no publisher will accept it for printing. Even if your poem is published in a newspaper or magazine, no payment is made.

Bleak background

Against such a bleak background students are taught poetry in school. Most of the time the subject is handled by incompetent teachers. As a result, students begin to distance themselves from poetry.

A good teacher can generate a love of poetry in his students. Those of us who belonged to a different generation were lucky to have competent teachers who taught us how to appreciate poetry.

When once you develop a love of poetry, you will never give it up. You will read poetry even after passing your G.C.E. O/L and A/L examinations.

Critical Approach to Poetry for Ordinary Level is a useful guide to generate that kind of interest in poetry. Although the book is meant for students preparing for G.C.E. O/L examination, it is even useful for English teachers and others who have given up reading poetry.

Dr. H. Alahakoon and Nilusha Alahakoon have discussed 17 poems prescribed for the examination. They begin with giving a brief description of the poet followed by the poem, notes, and explanations. The general comments given at the end of each poem are useful for those who are not familiar with the poetic language.

Shakespeare

Beginners are introduced to William Shakespeare, William Wordsworth, Lord Tennyson, Lewis Carroll, Y.B. Yeats, Thomas Hardy and a host of other poets and their poetry. Books of this nature will help generate an abiding interest in poetry.

What is more, the book invites the reader to fall in love with poetry. When once he does so, he will never fall out of love with poetry.

Stepping-stone to further studies

Learn to speak and write English
Author: P. W. Jayatilake
Author publication
534, Sri Prajna Sri Lane, Makola North, Makola
151 pp. Price: Rs. 250

Review: R. S. Karunaratne

LANGUAGE: In order to learn any language the student has to master four skills: speech, writing, listening and reading. P. W. Jayatilake’s ‘Learn to speak and write English’ deals with two skills: speech and writing.

This is basically a grammar book for those who have a nodding acquaintance of English. The book opens with the English alphabet followed by vowels, consonants and diphthongs. Before going on to pronunciation of English words, the author has thought it fit to include a chapter on the Sinhala alphabet.

Pronunciation

Both pronunciation and spelling of English words can be confusing to English learners because there is no logical method of learning them. Although there are rules, the student has to learn many exceptions. Therefore constant use of books and practice of the language is necessary to be familiar with the correct pronunciation and spelling of words.

In this respect, this book will serve a useful purpose.

The author has simplified, basic English grammar by explaining and defining the sentence structure, tenses, active and passive voice, verbs, phrasal verbs, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, punctuation marks, reported speech, and synonyms.

letter writing

Apart from a chapter on letter writing, the book has introduced idioms, proverbs and dialogue patterns.

Taken as a whole the book will help the student to learn the basics without much effort. It can be used as a stepping stone to further studies.

Outline of laws governing the business world

Vyapara Lokaye Neethiya
Author: Kapila Gamini Jayasinghe
Author publication: 141,
Nattandiya Road, Marawila
143 p.p. Price: Rs. 400

Review: R. S. Karunaratne

LAW: In civilized societies there are various laws governing the activities of human life. Very broadly, these laws are binding on specified persons. They are made by certain institutions and enforced by the State machinery. Kapila Gamini Jayasinghe in his clear style sums up the laws governing one aspect of society, ie. the business world.

In the business world transactions are done and contracts entered into by companies and individuals to buy goods or services. In order to regulate the activities of the business world, laws have been passed from time to time. These laws are enforced by the judiciary.

Apart from lawyers, ordinary people are not familiar with the laws governing the business world. The author who is a practising civil lawyer has introduced these laws for the edification of businessmen, law students, lawyers and the general public.

Without using legal jargon, the author has written ten chapters dealing with the laws governing contract, hire purchase, companies, partnerships, sale of goods, insurance, credit cards banks and lease of vehicles.

In most instances he raises a hypothetical question and answers

it backing his views with relevant case law. These are the questions usually raised by ordinary people who are not familiar with the law. For instance, he discusses how to enter into a valid contract in chapter one. If you make a mistake in your agreement, you will find the answers in chapter two.

Many people wonder whether they can enter into a contract using the post or fax facilities. Chapter three is written for them. Another important aspect of the law is whether goods or vehicles leased can be seized by the owner for non-payment of rentals. The author’s comments are useful to everybody.

The author has also focused his attention on the contemplated changes to the company law, conciliation boards, partnerships, consumer rights and the process of making complaints.

By writing this book Kapila Gamini Jayasinghe has done a great service to everybody who comes in contact with the law. A bibliography at the end of the book could have added more authenticity to it.