Sybil Wettasinghe:

One of the world's best illustrators

Nilma DOLE

"I have a vivid memory when I was five years old. My father painted the house white for the New Year. It was love at first sight for I was enthralled by the sheer whiteness the invitation of drawing on it extended where I took a black charcoal and drew a picture", these words are spoken by a true author and poet who has revived many a childhood memory in many people, including the elderly.

Gratiaen prize

Sybil Wettasinghe

"After I wrote the book 'The Child in Me' many people told me that it helped them take a walk down memory lane" said Sybil Wettasinghe, who later won the Gratiaen prize in 1995 for the book. Young at heart, Aunt Sybil is a fitting example of how you can never be too old to do what you dream. She said that despite facing some opposition from her mother and Mother Annunciation of the Holy Family Convent (her alma mater), she would continue to draw.

"I loved to draw and write ever since I was a little girl but everyone around me had this fixation that I was supposed to have a intellectual career" she said. Commenting further, she said, "The love and peace cultivated in my heart as a child, has remained throughout my whole life. With this love I warm-heartedly present, 'The Child in Me', to everyone, young and old."

Her mother was determined to see Aunt Sybil going to university but her father knew she wanted to pursue her talent. "My father was my supporter for my creative urges and he even sent some of my drawings to an art exhibition" she said. Eventually, it was H.D. Sugathapala, the Head Master of the Primary section at Royal College who enlisted her services to illustrate his Nava Maga Standard 5 Reader.

Aunt Sybil finally got the encouragement she deserved when the renowned Martin Wickramasinghe reviewed the book and upon reaching the tender age of 17, she got permission to be a cartoonist at a well-known newspaper.

In 1962, Aunt Sybil joined Lake House (ANCL) and it was there that she fell in love with a tall and handsome man Don Dharmapala Wettasinghe, the former Daily News editor who encouraged her to draw and write for the children's page.

"My husband was very supportive of my work and encouraged me to write and draw, I was blessed to have him near me" reminisced Aunt Sybil. One of her first stories to be published in the newspaper was Kuda Hora (Umbrella Thief) which has even gained international accolades.

Children's book

It was when she won third place in an art competition organized by Noma Concoures Picture Book Illustrations for Kuda Hora that a Japanese publisher, Fukutake Publishing House expressed interest in publishing the book where in 1986, she won the Best Foreign Book Award.

"In the same year, the Japanese children voted 'Umbrella Thief' as the best children's book and the year 1986 was declared 'The Year of the Umbrella Thief' " she said. Her publisher, Fukutake even took the book to greater heights at The Bologna International Book Fair and Sybil Wettasinghe was a household name in many countries. "Children can read the books in their own languages and the 'Umbrella Thief' is now in its 20th print" said a positive-minded Aunt Sybil.

In 1965, 'Vesak Lantern' was recognised by the Women's Coucil in England as the best children's book in Asia. Being published in 1996, it won the State Literary Award for the best English Children's Book in Sri Lanka that year, amid some controversy.

Speaking about this, she said, "Children interpret images faster than words so the books have to have a visual aspect to make them understand better. Also, children are the best adjudicators of children's books not adults."

'Eternally Yours'

Aunt Sybil's recent book "Eternally Yours" which was nominated for this year's Gratiaen prize, is actually a tribute to children where she said, "I would like children to remember me forever and the book 'Eternally Yours' is my gift to the children of the world in memory of my happy childhood".

Modern womanhood

Sailing the seven seas, she ventured to distant lands like Japan, Bologna and even Scandanavia to spread her magical creative touch and offer her world to children around the world. Aunt Sybil said, "Once the children of Japan learned about Sri Lanka and the difference in natural setting, they were curious to learn more and so I've been publishing various books for children like Podi and Poda' and Young Norkiwa that reflect this."

Her advise to her loyal readers is, "The secret to being youthful is to never give up thinking about your childhood and to always be in a youthful frame of mind." Furthermore, she said, I promise that I will draw and write until the day I die for everyday is a special day of childhood for me.

Aunt Sybil has proved that if you believe in yourself, anything is possible. "Remember your childhood because life's short and making mischief is the right of any child so don't be too harsh on your children" she advised.

"I acknowledge my whole family, Eileen Dissanayake and Visidunu publications for planning to publish my book" she said. The talented Sybil Wettasinghe is a epitome of modern womanhood who showed that there is always the capacity to revive your childhood.

Dear Aunt Sybil

Thank you,
Aunt Sybil,
For giving us,
A great thrill,
When we open your books,
A magical world unfolds,
So inviting and exciting,
A secret it holds.

I want to know,
About the Child in you,
I would like to hear more,
What you used to do,
The mischief maker,
playing traunt,
Or that place where you went,
Where Dracula likes to haunt.

You're childhood spirit,
Will never fade,
That lovely charm,
Farewell it never bade.
Thank you,
Aunt Sybil,
Your books will always be treasured,
And no doubt,
Forever You will be remembered

..................................

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