Reading through folktales
A. J. Thilak Iddamalgoda is a well-known writer who carved a niche
for himself in the literary scene with his research and other
publications drawing much from his experiences in the Police Department
from where he retired as a Senior Deputy Inspector General.
A versatile graduate of the University of Peradeniya he entered the
Police Department in 1961 as an Assistant Superintendent of Police and
served the department in the headquarters and mostly in the districts
going through vicissitudes in an environment which needed attitudinal
change to suit the aspirations of the common man.
He prepared the background to face these challenges with his research
works (Sri Lanka Police Origin and Expansion) Crime and Poverty, (The
Police and The Public). These researchers had the desired impact and his
writing culminated in a biographical narrative vis-a-vis challenging
tasks he faced in the department.
This book is a very interesting contribution regarding the life and
times, when post colonial attitudes were yet prevailing. Another
publication by Iddamalgoda is ‘Traffic Management’ followed by a
challenging detective mission adventure during the 1971 insurgency.
With this background note about the author I wish to introduce his
latest contribution Lassana Janakatha (Beautiful Folk Tales) which is a
beautiful collection of 52 folk takes which could be enjoyed by rasikas
young and old.
As the name indicates these are really fascinating stories rendered
in rich language promoting moral and ethical values as it was done
through the Jathaka Stories, Aesop’s fables local traditional folk tales
and poetry. There is no doubt that this type of literature is mainly for
sound social well being inculcating values that sustain virtue and
wisdom in the community.
These folk stories are drawn from the Indian sources with their
religious and cultural beliefs and expressions of moral and didactic
intentions. Some stories follow the Panchatantra methods of animal
characters depicting human conditions.
There is much humour, and true to life depiction of characters. Some
are serious narrations while others are fairy tales and in the worlds of
the author “edited to suit our culture”.
Two stories that could be highlighted are how Mahabrahma was over
powered (46) and the Death of the Ghandharwa (30).
These stories equally evoke much satire in depicting the weak aspects
of special ‘personalities’ to whom importance and status is attributed
by traditional usage.
On the whole all these 52 stories maintain an equally high level in
the handling of subject matter, the use of idiom and specially rich
language.
In writing this brief review I might fail in my duty if I do not
mention the valuable comments made by Prof. Chandrasiri Palliyaguru in
his foreword Wachana Dekak.
He too appreciates the qualitative aspects of Thilak Iddamalgoda’s
book and stresses the need for such literary contributions in the light
of the modern highly developed technological aspects in media which
often negate the effects of traditional cultural values that we should
attempt to preserve.
It is no exaggeration that in a way the personality of the author
Iddamalgoda is also seen in use of the language and idiom in this
literary contribution.
Another befitting gesture is the dedication of this book to the
grandchildren and his daughter by Tilak Iddamalgoda which trait has to
be appreciated in these days of dwindling intergenerational
reciprocation with regard to respecting elders in society.
Traditionally the objective of any creative literary contribution has
been to promote virtue and wisdom. The author of Lassana Janakatha Tilak
Iddamalgoda too has been able to do so effectively. The readers will no
doubt enjoy reading his book and congratulate him with appreciation.
- Dr. Leel Gunasekera |
