Best yet to come, BHADRAJI?

Sachitra Mahendra

With a 40-year writing career under his belt, Bhadraji Mahinda Jayatilaka believes time is now ripe to act for his next generation. It was quite difficult to get our works published back then, adds Jayatilaka, but writers had a good audience all the same. And now, with many more young novelists entering the book industry, it is not certain if they receive the right kind of recognition.

How far would they have to strive for this recognition, which they deserve very much so?

With a literary month called September around the corner, Jayatilaka will add one more award to recognize young talent. The award, he explains, will encourage the up and coming novelists every year.

Q: Young novelists are gradually dominating the book market with their books published by established publishing firms. Things had been different years, or decades, ago, when finding a publisher was a tough job. For instance your first novel came out as an author publication, back in 1970s. How do you analyze the evolution?

A: Back in the 1970s there were only a few publishing houses. They were selective. They rarely gave a break to a new, unknown, writer, since publishing such work was a risk. Also there was a limited availability of printing paper at times. This shortage limited the publications. Those days, more time was needed even for typesetting.

So, I had to publish my own book with my own funds after doing the rounds of known publishers. But my book became a success since it had an unusual theme about a beggar boy born on the same day that the Bodhisattva, Prince Siddhartha Gautama was born in Kimbulwatpura.

Titled 'Sudhu Hansayo Igila Giyaha' (The White Swans Flew Away), this book has gone into a fourth print. I plan to do a fifth print with a better presentation, with new illustrations.

But now, things have changed. Technology has progressed. There are more publishing houses looking for saleable books.

Q: Do you view this as a positive trend?

A: I feel this is overdone with a glut in the market, which, I think, will even out according to the law of supply and demand.

A few writers still do self publications with moderate success. Even smaller publishers have a tough time in getting their books to the readers with the limited available space on bookshelves in the few leading book sellers' and publishers' shops. Getting published does not mean that they all sell well. Publishing like any other business is a gamble.

Q: You have quite a large number of publications under your belt. They are either translations, adaptations, originals or some research work. How do you strike a balance between researching and writing?

A: I have written 110 books. Leading as well as upcoming publishers have published them.

Any work of creative writing takes time to research. Even then, the inspiration comes instantly like a spark. Once I get the idea, some stories flow out easily. All characters and situations, sometimes, take over the story to get my point across.

More time is needed for historical novels, spiritual novels or philosophical novels. As the research is done, I visualize the places and people and the order of things gel in my head. Then it is a matter of putting it down on paper. I write fast. So once the research is done, the rest is easy. The story flows out of me effortlessly.

Q: Most of your novels, including the first, are based on Buddhist themes. What is the source of inspiration?

A: I have some Buddhist themed novels plus a novel about Jesus' life. Titled 'Gethsemeni Sandyawa' (Evening in Gethsemeni), it not only tells Jesus' story, but explains the history and politics of the time.

It also paints a picture of the places. This is the first and only novel in Sinhalese about Jesus. Just like this, when I write a Buddhist themed novel, I travel to the relevant places in mind and visualize the people in action.

My stories become very authentic and true to life that way. 'Dineka Kusinarawe' (A Day in Kusinara), which was published on the same day along with Gethsemeni Evening, deals with the last days of the Buddha. I used the Maha Parinibbana Sutta as the base for this.

Another novel titled 'Visala' was inspired by the Ratana Sutta. Both won the Best Buddhist Novel Award given by the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress.

As a child I read the Dhammapada, the Jataka tales and other spiritual books. These inspired me in my writing. When writing any book, I am in that place, in that time frame, witneswsing the happenings as if on a screen before me.

Q: How does the reader respond to your creativity?

A: The readers respond very well to my books. I have different followings for different genre. I write on a variety of subjects. Some readers avidly follow my horror and mystery stories urging me to write more. A couple of my children's books are popular with the kids. Others follow my Buddhist novels and other spiritual writing. I also write on social issues and about ten of my novels had been serialized in leading newspapers over the years so my name is familiar to the newspaper readers as well.

The late Most Ven Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thera personally told me that the two best books he ever read were my 'Pavuru Bandhi Raajyaya' (for which I won the D R Wijewardena Award) and 'Dona Luisa Saadahneege Kathawen Kotasaki' (our family saga which was also shortlisted for D R Wijewardena Memorial Award). For some publishers, I am a bestselling author and I do get fan mail by regular air mail as well as emails.

Q: You plan to launch 'award for the best maiden novel' with your own funds. Sri Lanka already has a considerable number of awards. Where do you place yours among these awards?

A: I do not think we have a large number of awards in Sri Lanka. There are five main awards for the Sinhala author: Godage, Vidyodaya, All Ceylon Buddhist Congress, State Literary Awards and Swarna Pusthaka. D R Wijewardena Memorial Award used to be popular, but does not exist any more. So there are only a limited number of awards. Even then, the newcomers find it hard to compete. My aim is to establish an award to two new authors every year. These will be maiden novels, already published. A panel of judges will help me in the task. Since I have been living in the USA for the last 40 years, this award will commemorate my 40th year in writing from overseas.

Q: Literary contribution of writers settled in foreign countries is usually looked down: they don't portray the real Sri Lankan culture. You have been outside Sri Lanka for a long time. Do you agree?

A: Who says so? I do not think that there are too many of us writing from abroad. I have won several major awards for my writings in Sri Lanka, so I do not feel left out. I do my best to contribute. Though I have been out of the country for over 40 years, I keep in touch by visiting my motherland every year. So I see what is happening in Sri Lanka and I am in touch with people in Sri Lanka via all electronic media: telephone, email and skype. I also see the changes that take place every year when I visit. I see these changes more than the ones who live in Sri Lanka since they do not see the gradual change. So, I feel that I can portray Sri Lanka quite accurately as it is.

Q: Voluminous novels, running for over 600 pages, are becoming a trend. You have authored such novels too. Do you think they have a good readership in today's busy modern lifestyle?

A: Some people like to read big books while others prefer to read smaller books. I have heard from both groups. I do not think reading voluminous novels is a trend. Some of my big novels are currently being published with a smaller font to cut down on paper cost. You are right about busy life styles and available reading time. But those who are hooked on reading will always find time to read. The size of the book does not make a classic. For example Ernest Hemingway's Old Man and the Sea was a small book that made a great impact. J D Salinger's 'Catcher in the Rye' is another example. There are many other books like that. Though short stories do not take much time to read, I feel that short stories, like poetry, are a dying art. Many publishers are reluctant to publish poetry and short stories.

Q: You are a multi-rounder: lyricist, creative writer, singer, painter and so on. Which role interprets you best?

A: I do write music and lyrics and sing on stage. I have my own drawing techniques which I teach through college courses. I also paint in all media (watercolour, acrylic, oil, pastel pen and ink). I write dramas for stage, television and screen and act and direct. I also design stage sets for many major Sri Lankan events and shows in the USA.

I have written stage plays in English and Sinhala and have played the lead roles in some of them here in the USA. I love to direct and act for television movies and stage. But mostly I like to stay home and write and write and write, because it gives me wings to go to many wonderful places in my mind.