'Chinthanai Chippi' Sinnadurai :
Hindu devotee who rendered service to Buddhism
Sri Lanka was blessed during the first half of this century with a
brilliant band of supermen with a vision, mission and a mandate who have
by their sublime thoughts, power-packed words and dazzling deeds
attained immortality. To this group belongs 'Chinthanai Chippi' S T
Sinnadurai whose 31st death anniversary fell yesterday (March 22).
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‘Chinthanai
Chippi’ S T Sinnadurai |
Sinnadurai was born in the Northern Province, in Kankesanthurai on
July 23, 1903. He studied both English and Tamil in a missionary school
in Jaffna. In his youth he had occasion to come down to South to see a
sick relative. On this visit it occurred to him to live in South as a
minor trader. It was in keeping with this intention that he later opened
'Leela Stores' in Pettah. In fact, within no time it became a very
famous place. Perhaps one reason for this was that it was located at a
spot very close to the Pettah Central Bus Stand and the famous Bo-tree.
Further, Sinnadurai came to respect this Bo-tree. Every morning he
commenced his business activities only after worshiping at the Bo-tree.
Indeed, this Bo-tree was a much respected place, but not very well
provided for or looked after. On rainy days the compound became a pool
of muddy water. This pathetic sight drew the attention of Sinnadurai. He
was deeply pained by this sight. He quickly erected an iron fence around
the Bo-tree for its protection.
Traditional costume
He began to sell all manner of Jaffna products in his shop. In this
manner 'Leela Stores' became a flourishing business enterprise.
It was at this time that Sinnadurai's attention was drawn to the sale
of Sinhala publications. In order to give a helping hand to Sinhala
writer he helped them to publish their publication work. Popular poets
and authors of that period visited 'Leela Stores' to get their works
published. They turned out to be Sinnadurai's very sincere friends.
It occurred to Sinnadurai that a printing press would greatly help
his publication work and he established the New Leela Printing Press
from which he rendered a great service to the Sinhala people through
local poets and writers.
Sinnadurai preferred plain and simple dress, always wearing the local
costume. He never abandoned the traditional costume of white verti and
banyan. Further, he always maintained a pleasant and disciplined
appearance.
Gandhian way of life
He led a Gandhian way of life and throughout his life he wore 'Kathar
Verti'. Even when he got married, he insisted that the bride should wear
'Katharsaree'. He was not only a man of words, but he always proved
himself as a man of deeds. He always looked at the Sinhala and Tamil
communities as brothers and sisters. In fact, he was a man with vision,
mission and foresight. That was the only reason he named his two sons as
Dhesabandu and Dhanabalaa.
He wanted all the communities in Sri Lanka to live in peace and
unity. He was a farsighted personality who thought clearly,
realistically, practically and pragmatically that a united Sri Lanka is
the only solution to bring about everlasting peace and eternal
prosperity. What the politicians could not do, he proved by his actions.
Furthermore, he was associated with the Temperance Movement, Pitakotuwa
Bodhiraja Samithiya, Veera Samajaya, Sucharitha Viyaparaya and several
other societies. He served as the first Treasurer of the Bodhiraja
Samithiya, Pettah. Sinnadurai was closely associated with several
Sinhala and Tamil politicians and assisted in their social and religious
activities.
In fact, a Chaithya came to be built at the Bodhiraja Viharaya,
Pettah under the guidance of Sinnadurai. He played a very important role
in obtaining the Buddha's relics to be enshrined in this Chaithya.
Further, Sinnadurai and his children later helped to develop the temple
of Ven Palamugedara Somananda Thera who provided the relics to be
enshrined in Pettah Bodhiraja Vihara Chaithya. Among the Buddhist
institutions that benefited from the generosity of Sinnadurai and his
children are, the Bodhiraja Viharaya at Pettah, Sri Mangalaramaya Maho,
Kurundan Kulama, Pirivena, Wellawatta. It is significant to note that
Sinnadurai's children have erected Janavija Chaithya in Sinharaja
Adaviya in Deniyaya.
Important landmark
The Panchanga pictorial calendar that Sinnadurai introduced in 1950
marks an important landmark in our culture. It was the first time that
such a calendar was produced. This calendar embodied a wealth of
historical and astrological knowledge and information.
Sinnadurai's children Dr Somasekaram Arulananthan and Vidaikodi
Chelvar Dhanabalar are very much involved in religious activities and
are following in the footsteps of their father.
Sinnadurai's life was not merely a successful one, but a
distinguished and remarkable one. He was a live wire and whatever he
touched and undertook, he put new life into it and made it a living
Institution whether it was a printer, publicist, public worker, social
reformer or religious worker.
Verily, no field of human endeavour was left untouched by the swaying
amplitude of his imagination, the encompassing sweep of his thought, the
penetrating, yet lucid felicity of his words and the indefatigable zeal
of his actions.
In the rat race that pervades and permeates the Sri Lankan Printing
Trade the name of 'Leela Sinnadurai' stands out as a glorious exception.
Indeed 'Leela Sinnadurai' was a veritable Gunanidhi, a mine of
virtue. He was a shining symbol of Aristocracy of character. He was
noble, nay, nobility itself.
- Chelvatamby Maniccavasagar
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