Writer’s Den/Arts
Extensive research on history of dentistry
Reviewed by Prof. N.A.de S. Amaratunga
Dr. Hilary W.M. Cooray, a leading general dental practitioner has
compiled an excellent book on the history of dentistry in Sri Lanka.
This is the first book on this subject and it has a wealth of
information on the development of the dental profession in Sri Lanka.
Dr. Cooray’s work deals with three main aspects, early practices in
dental and oral health in Sri Lanka, development of dental education and
dental practice and the various medical ordinances relevant to the
dental profession.
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History of dentistry
in Sri Lanka
Author: Dr. Hilary W.M. Cooray |
These three aspects are of great importance to the student of history
of dentistry. Though Dr. Cooray has dealt with these subjects in brief
he has managed to include most of the relevant information in a succinct
but readable style.
The author must have done extensive research in all these areas to be
able to extract and sift the most important information and then compile
all that into ninety odd pages.
In dealing with the early dental and oral health practices among Sri
Lankans he brings in the relevant aspects of Ayurveda and its
development in India. How Ayurveda influenced the evolution of the
indigenous system of healthcare is described briefly. One would have
expected the author to delve a little more deeply into the times of King
Buddhadasa where the indigenous system could have been taken as a model
for the rest of the world. Influence of Buddhism and Buddha’s own vinaya
edict have been mentioned which gives credence to the author’s
presentation.
Dr. Cooray has never failed to show the importance of the historical
connection, the unfolding of history of the island and the parallel
development of health consciousness. This I thought was the biggest
achievement which demonstrates a streak of academic capacity. The
building of a civilisation involving an inculcation of the vitality of
water for life in general and health including oral health in particular
is highlighted. Illustrations with photos of the water supply and
sanitation that existed in the ancient capitals of the country adds
value to the text. The importance of cleanliness, sanitation and water
purification has been understood and put into practice as early as King
Pandhukabaya’s time. He had 200 sanitary labourers in the city of
Anuradhapura. Lord Buddha himself had advised on the importance of
boiled water for drinking purposes.
The author attempts to analyse the influence of western cultures on
the local scene particularly on the health practices. At the beginning
the invading foreigners had kept their healing methods to themselves but
gradually the foreigners had borrowed from the indigenous system and
vice versa. These aspects have been dealt with quite adequately and in a
simple style. These sections present a wealth of information about the
history of foreign invasions as well.
Oral hygiene measures practised by the people had obviously been
taught to them by the priests who had adopted them from the Vinaya
Pitakaya which gives a lucid description of what could happen if teeth
are not cleaned in the way prescribed therein. The substitute for tooth
brushes used in those times are described in detail and are also well
illustrated and the medicinal properties of these materials are
discussed.
Author has included drawings of various instruments that may have
been used for dental treatment. A little more research into this area
would have revealed the methods used in dental treatment and
particularly how these instruments were used. How these treatment
methods evolved and developed in the island have been elucidated. The
influence of Susrutha across the Palk Straits have been discussed.
The development of dental education in Sri Lanka is succinctly
described and covers all aspects. The dental profession would be
grateful to Dr. Cooray for publishing all these details. How education
started in Buddhist temples and gradually developed into University
level is described. Dr. Cooray mentions King Buddhadasa’s Saratha
Sangrahaya’ as one of the earliest medical books compiled in Sri Lanka.
Monks had taught the practice of medicine to selected students whereas
lay physicians had passed their knowledge to their children.
This system of education had continued during the Portuguese and
Dutch periods without much change.
Photographs of various legal documents and government notices
pertaining to dental education would be of archival value. Dr. Cooray
has endeavoured to bring out the fact that the profession from its
humble beginnings had come a long way.
It had faced many a challenge and an obstacle which it had
successfully faced and overcome. The present members of the profession
could take courage from this and learn lessons and achieve further
progress. Greatest achievement of the dental profession is the
development of postgraduate training and education. The growth and
development of its various specialities have been highlighted in this
presentation.
Oral health is essential for general health not only for completeness
sake but more importantly because oral diseases could have a causative
effect on general diseases like heart disease, stroke etc. Dr. Cooray’s
work is timely for this reason also and would be of interest not only to
the dental surgeons but also to health administrators, health workers
and historians. The Dental profession in this context has a greater role
to play in providing better health to the community and it is heartening
to note that senior members of the profession like Dr. Cooray are doing
their best to ensure success of the profession....
Comprehensive biography of Khemadasa
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Premasiri Khemadasa - Critical Biography Author : Eric Illayapparachchi Publisher : Fast Publishing (Pvt) Ltd,
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At last, Sri Lanka has a comprehensive biography of a serious
musician. The history of the Sri Lankan music is rewritten without a
bias for any particular tradition. The volcanic movement of music broke
with maestro Khemadasa has been recorded well in this fairly long
biography. The style of a critical biography has been followed from
beginning to end.
The book shows a remarkable variety of contemporary
music having to do with Premasiri Khemadasa. Still a complex
misunderstanding has grown up around the composer, as his life and work
are not fitted to the cultural mould of some custodians of the local art
scene today. Therefore, this biography written by Eric Illayapparachchi,
the liberalist of his most famous opera, Agni is worth reading.
This book which grew out of familiarity with the festival of
Khemadasa’s work provides a fascinating story of the maestro and his
art.
Materials collected in this biography is a treasure to any art
student. The first several chapters explore the young days of the
musician who was born in the coastal village of Wadduwa. The roots of
his concept of music and the musical culture led by him for five decades
are explored in depth.
A long thoughtful reflection on how he developed
as a full-fledged composer is very well recorded by this new historian
of Sri Lankan music. The interesting passages of the local musical
culture is worth reading. The image of Khemadasa was shaped by his film
music, cantatas and operas and the book gives some non-standard unbiased
perspectives on the most revered composer of the country.
 Sukshama Arthika Vidyava
C.C. Hiella Arachchi’s latest book “Sukshama Arthika Vidyava” was
launched at Dayawansa Jayakody Book Exhibition Hall, Colombo last week.
The book is ideal for those sitting university examinations.
The book is published by Dayawansa Jayakody Publishers, Colombo 10.
Veedi Basina Siththaru
 “Veedi Basina Siththaru” (Artists Treading the Streets) is an
exhibition of oil paintings and batik creations of Sri Lankan young
artists organised and sponsored by the Mohan Lal Grero Foundation will
be held at Nugegoda Junction (facing the High Level Road) on April 18
and 19, 2009 from 8.00 am to 8.30 pm. The Mohan lal Grero Foundation had
organised four arts exhibitions so far and this is the first street
exhibition organised by them.
The internationally recognised artist and Lecturer of Art at the
Mohan Lal Grero Foundation, Somarathna Gomes together with hundreds of
his students will exhibit over seven hundred oil paintings and batik
creations done by them at this exhibition.
The idea was mooted by the famous Educationist cum philanthropist and
creator Guru of the Mohan Lal Foundation, Mohan Lal Grero. Entrance will
be free.
There will be free lessons on Oil Painting conducted by the
Foundation during this exhibition, and those who wish to get an
introduction to oil painting could register their names at the entrance. |
