Book Reviews
Kaleidoscopic portrayal of everyday incidents
Andhakara Tharakava
(The Dark Star)
Author: Karunadasa Sooriyarachchi
Publisher: Dayawansa Jayakody & Company
222 pages
Unlike in a traditional novel the plot of the new novel by Karunadasa
Sooriyarachchi (popularly known as Kasuri) "Andhakara Tharakava" is in
the dark. It is a new genre of Sinhala novel based on the revelations,
reflections and mental analyses/travels (mano charika) of a retired
medical officer and an unfortunate female child abandoned in the remote
rural hospital where he commenced his career.
The compassionate doctor adopts and brings up the girl and helps in
educating her to become a medical doctor like himself. She later goes to
UK for post-graduate studies to specialise in psychiatry. Before
completing her studies she returns to the island in search of her
biological mother.
Readers used to the 'run of the mill' novels may say that 'The Dark
Star' (Andhakara Tharakava) is a long harangue without a beginning,
middle or end. Some may consider it a collage of pictures without a
frame. Others may get confused considering whether the 'dark star' is
really the Congolese friend (Kathy) of the main character (Sapumali) or
Sapumali herself. The mothers of both girls had wanted them to be
'stars' shining high above in the heavens. Unfortunately, both become
victims of circumstances that prevent them from fulfilling the ambitious
wishes of their mothers.
Even in the absence of a straight plot the novel is very readable. As
explained by the author himself, it is not a novel but a series of
episodic columns, the techniques of which have been mastered by an
experienced journalist like Kasuri. Yet, the writing style and the
language used by the author captivate the reader arousing his curiosity
as the plot develops.
Perhaps it is the universal appeal of gossip and internal human
secrets that make the reader delve into the reflections of the main
characters without keeping the book down until the final page has been
read.
Some may consider this similar to a novel like "Roots". But this is
not a documentary or an adventure story or a piece of investigative
research though all such features are craftily yet expertly interwoven
into the monologues of the characters heightening the continued suspense
of the reader.
The incidents recalled in the reflections and revelations of the
characters in the novel portray the harassment suffered by females in
the hands of unscrupulous and selfish males - including political
stooges - in developing as well as developed countries.
The various forms of sexual, physical and mental sufferings the
unfortunate mothers undergo for the sake of the future of their
daughters are vividly presented in a very disciplined manner without
recourse to indecent language. Yet the author maintains the reality of
such situations and challenges that are daily faced by women in remote
rural areas like Palugasdamana (in the Ampara District).
The author has the uncanny capacity to delve into the thought
processes of the characters with the expertise of a psycho-analyst which
he describes in a language familiar to the normal reader.
This makes the novel entertaining as well as informative thereby
enhancing its readability, realism and suspense.
The appeal of most regular newspaper columns is that they deal with
matter-of-fact things in everyday life. Their intent is semi-serious but
they bring out useful lessons to the ordinary reader in an indirect and
abstract manner. "The Dark Star" successfully attempts to string a
series of such columns that relate to the mental wanderings, musings and
reflections of its characters into a mosaic magic web taking the reader
into a set of conflicting situations that verge on fantasy and disbelief
now and then. The contrast between the Congolese girl and the Sri Lankan
girl are portrayed making the reader wonder which of them is the real
heroine.
While the Congolese girl's (Kathy) endeavour is to avenge the
ungrateful father who deserts her mother, the Sri Lankan girl (Sapumali)
tries to discover her biological mother and in that process dissolves
into oblivion when she fails to connect with her as the old mother is a
mentally disturbed person living in abject poverty and filthy misery.
The novel is also a kaleidoscopic portrayal of everyday incidents of
modern day life among Sri Lankans living in remote villages and those
who migrate to UK and the Middle East. Occasional gleanings into the
lives of medical students help develop the main characters.
Even in the form of mental adventures and personal life reflections
the reader is rewarded with dramatic descriptions of a vivid nature
often with the use of colloquial Sinhala.
Snippets of the plot are strewn here and there for the intelligent
and discerning reader to string together compelling him to read on and
on with continuous delight. Character portrayal is through incidents,
personal value judgements, reflections on lessons learnt, intended
statements (not uttered) and hypothetical counselling sessions delivered
by acquaintances.
Occasional deviations from the writing style are confusing to the
reader but they are few and far between.
They do not act as serious distractions that disturb the reader from
the flow of events that help build up the complete picture. Portrayal of
the difficult lives led by poor folk living in remote dry zone villagers
is a pet theme of Kasuri as was seen in his last novel, "Ve Kande
Geethaya" (The Song of the Tank Bund). He does it even better in "Andhakara
Tharakava" producing a different form of Sinhala novel successfully
experimenting with a new genre.
- M. C. Mathupala
How public servants of yester-years functioned
‘Milestones in a Public Service Career’
Author: Dharmasena Wijesinghe
As a person who always appreciated Dharmasena Wijesinghe (Wije to me)
I was fortunate to read his reader friendly and down to earth book ‘From
Assistant Commissioner to Cabinet Secretary: Milestones in a Public
Service Career.’
This book deserves comment, especially hoping that the readers of
this comment will access it, because it is a guide to understand what
the roles of ‘public servants’ and ‘government officers’ should be.
Secondly, the successfully broadcasted civilised humility of Wije
enhances the value of his ‘public servant’ image. Thirdly, from a
sociological narration, a son of a ‘Vel Vidane’ reaching the high levels
he attained is itself a testimony of perseverance to be admired.
I see many aspects of a public servant in Wije in his book and may
pick a few.
I see the Development Administrator Wije throughout the book. For
example I quote his educative description of integrated agriculture
policies of Minister Philip Gunawardena (page 19), reflected in plain
and simple terms, without technical theories; health sector and its
importance (pages 94-97); and administrative reforms (pages 32-34).
He is forthright in dealing with public servants’ behavior that could
be lessons to others. I think he supplements previous writings of great
public servants of our times like Messers Bradman Weerakoon, Dharamsiri
Pieris etc.
Victimisation
His quote on the experiences with J.V. Fonseka (pages 22-23), his
Head of Department; on transfers (pages 28-29); on political
victimisation (pages 86-87), and the manner in which D.B.I.P.S.
Siriwardhane, another great, had a stiff reaction to him etc are worth
as educative reading even by seniors in personnel management and public
administration.
He boldly discusses the weak public servants irrespective of stature
like when he writes about S. Kadirgamanathan, an amiable boss. On
corruption he sometimes combines humor (page 24 on Mr. Kulatunge) and
shoots out mercilessly another time when he mentions about Mr. Premadasa
(page 69) and P.G. Ratnayake (page 147). I wonder whether Wije tramples
defamatory laws while expressing such sentiments.
The change of attitudes of juniors and most seniors is best depicted
when Wije writes about his public service appointments. Wije’s writing
equates advice to public servants at all levels to learn from his
experience when he describes how he pursued his case to be a GA with his
Secretary Baku Mahadeva, another great (page 43-44), and not with
politicians. Let the present day administrators by-heart this section!
He contradicts this status later on page 85 describing how Buddhin
Gunatunga (an amiable government officer though) asked him to “…get the
Minister to recommend your name for the job.” Mahadevas are rarely seen
now and Gunatungas are excessively in circulation than then. I pray,
probably as Wije would to minimise the latter group, if not eliminate.
Formalities
Wije was always a man for systems and formalities. Hence, it is not
surprising to observe his disagreement even with the powerful Minister
S.Thondaman (pages 142-144). However, knowing Wije and the Minister
intimately I am surprised why these two amiable personalities could not
click. Perhaps, it would have been due to intermediaries involved as
Wije explains later.
In this connection his quote in pages 143-144 (a memo to the
Presidential Secretariat) is a lesson on how to be honest, straight and
formal in public service, irrespective of the ultimate result that may
befall on a person, which many public officers do not dream to follow
now.
On a personal note he reminds us his appointment as the Cabinet
Secretary by President Rajapaksa and how Lalith Weeratunga broke the
news (page 202). Mr. Weeratunga’s formality is also remembered by Wije,
quoting how the former addressed him as “Sir,” which I have noticed as
respect always shown to all seniors by the former. It proves Mr.
Weeratunga’s calibre as a ‘formal and gentle senior” - another indirect
lesson reminded by Wije to public servants.
The sensitive man in Wije is well immersed in his description of a
tale of woe he had experienced (pages 129-135), which he concludes with
Buddhist flavour, quoting “dhammo have rakkatha dhamma-chari” (One who
lives a righteous life will be safeguarded by it.). This is a tale to be
remembered by everyone in public service- politicians and
administrators. Hope this will teach them the worst ill effects of
political witch-hunting!
The greatness in him or humility is proved when he discusses how he
was once removed from office due to suspected manipulation. Irrespective
of the suspected conspiracy he says about the ‘conspirators,’ “I still
maintain cordial relations both with Mike (Warnakulasuriya) and Kumar
(T. Kumarathasan), as if I have never heard this story about their
conspiring against me.” (Page 151). He is not short of subtle humour on
this conspiracy too when he mentions on the same page that it was
Warnakulasuriya who made the main farewell speech when he left office!
Influences
The high level influences of politicians / bureaucrats are revealed
by Wije several times, out of which how President Premadasa intervened
with Wije on two occasions (pages 157-158) and how he was removed due to
a statement (unconfirmed suspicion only) he made in his usual carefree
light banter (i.e. about ‘lingams’) are quite interesting. Of course, I
am certain that for a non-public servant, humour is not lost on R.
Paskeralingam and K. Shanmugalingam. (Page 158) by such revelation.
Reading the book it is evident that he had been more allured to the
GA’s assignment and his work with the coconut industry.
The former seems to me as consequence to the grand wish his father
had to make him a GA - rising from the farmer’s son {‘goviyage puthu’ in
Ummagga Jathaka!) to GA (ejantha unnanse!). The second could be due to
his turnout in coconut related assignments during his tenures.
He is silent on his present assignment held thrice; I am sure due to
the need to keep to Cabinet ethics. By being so readers may find a
vacuum which he only could fill, but service and operational tradition
stand against being open.
On the whole I find Wije’s book as one that should be read by all
public servants who wish to understand how public servants of
yester-years functioned honourably, but survived to tell a valuable tale
irrespective of heavy squeeze. His is a version of survival in the midst
of diverse conflicts and vicissitudes.
Principled
To my understanding the Indian Administrative Service has become a
very strong body, among other things, due to behavior as a strong
principled group. Public servants like Wije are the colossus to emulate
if public servants wish to re-create such standing in Sri Lanka.
One may argue that times have changed and strategies should change.
Yes, but it does not depreciate the value of past straight forward
official behaviour.
His is an eulogy and ode to social development of Sri Lanka,
especially through educational reforms made by C.W.W. Kannangara,
agricultural reforms by D.S. Senanayake and social reforms led by
S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike who made it possible for people like Wije to come
up the ladder from a malaria infected dry zone farmer’s family to be
with kings and queens.
As another who hailed from a government clerk’s family, who enjoyed
those fruits of social development, his story is my story too and could
belong to many others’ in public service who have ignored public
expression.
I have only one request from the latter. Please join the very short
queue of writers of experiences worthy of being repeated by public
servants, sociologists, public administration researchers and even
politicians who have a large role to play for good governance. May we be
fortunate to read such contributions quickly.
Lastly,
“Congratulations, Wije.”
- Austin Fernando
A Youth Drama workshop
A three day drama workshop organised by the aesthetic division of the
National Youth Services Council for the district drama winners of the
National Youth Awards Festival 2008 was held recently at the National
Youth Centre. Maharagama with the participation of the Drama Professions
of the National Drama school, India.
This workshop was held to educate, and empower the budding dramatists
who are getting ready for the finals of the national youth drama
festival to be held in November 2008.
60 dramas Sinhala and Tamil medium were selected for the final
competition and hundred budding dramatists participated at the workshop.
Apart from the dramatists Prof. Mrs. Hema Singh and Prof. Dinesh
Kanna from the National Dchool of Drama.
India, Sri Lankan stalwarts in Sinhala Drama Dauglas Siriwardana, H.
A. Perera, Prema Ranjith Thilakaratne were also participated at the
work-shop.
The workshop was consisted of theoretical and practical aspects in
drama and also acting, music, scriptwriting, voice training, and
production copies were also discussed at the workshop.
“Our motive is to introduce our dramatists to the internal stage
through this type of workshops. It is proud to say that the Indian
Professors promised us to provide opportunities to represent Sri Lanka
at the National Drama Festival of India with the two best dramas
selected at the National Awards Festival in Sri Lanka. The Professors
gave this promise at the discussion had with the Prime Minister
Ratnasiri Wickramanayake at his office recently. “The Chairman and the
Director General of the NYSC Bhaswara Senaka Gunaratne told Daily News.
The finals of the national drama festival will be held in November
2008.
Pix and Story by
Wehelle Piyathilake
Maharagama special correspondent
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