Portfolio of a literary philanthropist
A Lankan of Memon (they speak Gujarati) origin who had been living in
Kegalla in his childhood, Hashim Omar is in the limelight frequently by
his presence in photographs published in all three languages in the
country. The primary reason is that he openly and indirectly helps
people, particularly those writers and artistes who need a boost and
patronage without expecting any rewards from them. In fact he publishes
the manuscripts of writers whose works had not found a place in print
free of charge and better still give the entire copies of the books to
the authors and even selling those for them.
He is known as Puravalar (philanthropist) in Tamil. Hashim is a
businessman having risen up from humble beginnings. When invited he
would be the first person at a book launch to buy the first copy paying
a stupendous sum much higher than the cost of the book.
A 156-page colourful book recording his contributions and assessment
of his activities in the form of articles and capturing his memorable
photographs of important people in and around Lanka had been published.
Kalaichelvan, a film and theatre artiste and also a writer and sensible
speaker has compiled this volume called Puravalar Sila Pathivukal
(Philanthropist-Some Impressions).
The book is divided into 10 sections: Puravalar’s ancestry, what
others wrote about him in Tamil, Sinhala and English, his photographs at
various functions, the interviews he gave, a few poems written in honour
of him, his own writings, his religious thoughts, his speeches on the
stage, the other side of Puravalar and his political views. In other
words, the book is a comprehensive one that records all aspects of the
life of Hashim Omar.
Here are some excerpts culled out from pieces written in English:
 “In Hashim Omar’s list of journalists and writers in distress are 43
names and addresses. Hashim has given away over Rs 200, 00 to writers
affected directly or indirectly by the Tsunami,” informs Ranee Mohammed
and adds what Hashim Omar said to her:
“Writers in our country are not rich people. They have so much talent
and so little help. This is why I want to help them. From my early days
I had a great admiration for journalists and writers. But I could not
become one as I got into business. I began to rise in 1978 and it was
from this time onwards that I went to the book launches of journalists I
know.”
Hashim Omar really feels for the writers and journalists. He is
reported to have said: “I know that journalists are doing their jobs.
Various journalists have various trends of thought and opinions. I
respect them all, even though they may be critical of things that I am
not critical about.”
In writing about the contributions by this literary philanthropist,
the journalists also point out the current scene in local literary map
of not economically sound writers.
Arul Sathya says this: “The Sri Lankan Tamil Literary scene is in a
state of stagnation for a number of years. Many writers and creative
artistes fled the country or redirected their activities as they felt
engaging in art and literature wouldn’t help them after the 1983 riots.
But those who remained in the country and the young talent that emerged
in the latter part of the 80s, gradually began working in the Thamil
literary field building it once again without expecting any financial
gain.
It was being done out of sheer pleasure and self-satisfaction. But
they were in need of funds to bring out their creations to the public
podium such as radio, TV and books… Wealthy Tamil businessmen and
industrialists showed no interest helping local talent and instead were
concerned in bringing down cheap entertaining material to advertise
their products among the Tamil population.”
It’s here that Hashim Omar’s gesture and benevolence that is
appreciated by all.
Going through the portfolio of pictures in which Hashim figures
prominently one notices that he is a close acquaintance of some VIPs and
celebrities. Such people include President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Nirupama
Roy, C V Wigneswaran, Chandrika Bandaranaike and Ratnasiri
Wickramanayake. He knows many more people who matter both in Lanka and
abroad. Attractively printed in Tamil, Sinhala and English, the souvenir
is available from no 46, Frederica Road, Wellawatta.
[email protected]
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