Wickramasinghe's masterpiece in English

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

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Uprooted

Author: Martin

Wickramasinghe

Translators: Lakshmi de Silva and Ranga Wickramasinghe

Pages: 222

Sarasa (Pvt) Ltd

Rs.300

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It took a long time coming but finally it is now available on the shelves of book stores. Sri Lanka's leading figure in literature Martin Wickramasinghe's most profound work, Gamperaliya had finally been translated into English for the English speaking public to meet a timely need.

Though more than 65 years have passed since the landmark novel had been penned by the veteran writer, the pictures, idioms and characteristics he paints through ink on paper remains as powerful as it did many years back. The first book of the trilogy vividly captures the social changes which are slowly creeping into the country, flowing out of the urban life. Much like Russian dramatist's 'The Cherry Orchard', Wickramasinghe had predicted the transition period of the early part of the 20th Century almost three decades back while the country was still under colonial rule.

The decaying feudal class is personified by the gradual declining of the household of Don Adrain Kaisaruwatte Muhandiram while the spirited but low born youth, Piyal, portrays the rising middle class. Piyal's rise signifies the importance of education and wealth despite being born to a lower class and that money rather than class earns respect and acceptance in the new social order.

English readers no doubt will find the novel a treat as it is one of the rare pieces of work which breathes essence of the village life at every point and turn. With years of experience as a translator of numerous pieces of writing from Sinhala into English Dr. Lakshmi de Silva backed by Dr. Ranga Wickramasinghe's familiarity with his father's writing have managed to retain the pulse of Gamperaliya in its English version, an odorous task but one they had succeeded with hard work and discussions.

They have managed to capture the writer' simple story telling technique as well, making 'Uprooted' a book which can be enjoyed for leisure reading as well as a work of literature with depth.