The 13th Death Anniversary falls on August 16:

Reminiscing the unsurpassed genius

Jayanthi LIYANAGE

"If you do not go, you cannot come back. That is the truth I did not understand. Going is good. Going and coming back is good too. In the world, there is only going and coming. If you do not come, you cannot go. If you do not go, you cannot come back."

Professor Ediriweera Sarachchandra

These are the famous words of Noriko San to Devendora San in Malawunge Avurududa (The Festival of the Dead), novel written by Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra in 1965. This novel followed Malagiya Aththo (The Dead), both which left indelible memories in the reader although the novels were published far back in years. He was born on June 3 in 1914 in Ratgama, Dodanduwa. At birth, he was named Euchates Reginald de Silva but on assuming adulthood, he changed his name to Ediriweera Sarachchandra. His father was a post master, and wherever he was transferred, little Satrachchandra had to follow his father from school to school.

He received his primary education in Richmond College, Galle and moved on to study in St. John's Vidyalaya, Panadura, S. Thomas College, Mt. Lavinia and St. Aloysius College, Galle.

He was an undergraduate of the University of Colombo in 1933 and passed out as a Honours graduate in Pali, Sanskrit and Sinhala. In 1939, he enrolled himself at Shanti Niketan in India and received a special training in sitar playing. His subsequent doctorate in Buddhist Philosophy was awarded by the University of London.

Sarachchandra's knowledge of Sinhala language and literature knew no bounds and he became the Head of the Sinhala Language branch of the University of Peradeniya. Thereafter he became a Professor and was the Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya.

From 1940 to 1956, Prof. Sarachchandra produced ten stage plays. His famous theatre attempt Maname was produced in 1959 and he carried the local theatre to new heights with this play. He had a wide knowledge of Bharata Natya, Japanese Noh and Kabuki theatre arts, American and Western theatre arts. From 1955 to 1956, he was awarded a scholarship to study theatre arts by the Rockerfeller Institute.

From 1966 to 1967, he was a visiting lecturer in Denisen University of Ohio, America. He was also the Ambassador for Sri Lanka in France from 1974 to 1977. From 1977 to 1979, he was the professor in research in East West Institute of Hawai. In 1980, in the first convocation ceremony of the University of Jaffna, he was conferred with a honorary degree titled Sahitya Shoori. The same university also conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Letters (D' Lit). In 1982, the University of Peradeniya too conferred the same title on him.

Prof. Sarachchandra was also the recipient of the Kumaran Ashath Award from India and the Magsaysay Award from the Phillipines.

For more than 40 years, he did a tremendous and unforgettable service to the local literature and theatre arts. Walmath Wee Hasarak Nudutimi is also among his well-known novels.

Among his prominent plays are Pematho Jayathi Soko, Sinhabahu, Loma Hansa, Kapuwa Kapothi, Pabawathi, Wessantara, Wella Vehum, Bava Kadaturawa and Kiri Muttiya Gange Giya. Prof. Sarachchandra also composed plays for the radio theatre. Prof. Sarachchandra was an individual who constantly supported the independence of arts. He did not approve of using arts for political purposes or other propaganda.

After he passed away, other well-known personalities in the local theatre arts attempted translating some of his plays. His widow Lalitha Sarachchandra did not approve of some of these productions, feeling that the essence of the original plays had been wrongly interpreted.

Although many years have passed under the bridge after his demise, he still remains a giant figure in the local theatre arts and literature among people who valued his innovative contributions to these fields and still continue to value them.

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