Janaki Sooriyarachchi:

Versatility at her fingertips

A young and talented author cum illustrator from Sri Lanka, Janaki Sooriyarachchi started writing in her childhood. Since then, she has authored over 135 story books for children.

Even though she is a qualified banker by profession, employed at Sampath Bank, she is versatile (talented in many fields); she not only writes, but also does illustrations, computer graphics, as well as music and lyrics for all her children’s story books and song books.

The ancestral home in the beautiful village of Puhulwella, Matara, where she spent her childhood with her grandparents, had been the source of inspiration for Janakai’s creative works.

Childhood and school life

Reminiscing (talking about the early days of her life), she says that the sweet experiences and beautiful memories of her childhood were actually the foundation for her career in the creative field. She says she preferred to live at her grandma’s place in Puhulwella - where the atmosphere was serene and picturesque - than at her parent’s home.

The Puhul Ella (waterfall) behind her grandma’s house, the greenish paddy fields, the rubber estate, the cinnamon forest and the little stream flowing beside the house had all captured her imagination and fascinated her immensely.

She had been able to see and experience many things in the natural world she would otherwise have missed out on, had she lived with her parents in Pannipitiya.

Her grandma, who was a teacher, had related stories and explained many things about life in general and the lifestyle of the villagers while showering her with a lot of

love and affection. Janaki had willingly accepted the advice of her grandparents and adjusted her life accordingly. She claims it was because all the good qualities were taught, to her using very sensitive and creative stories and verses.

She not only learnt her school work, but also everything a person should know such as washing and ironing clothes, cooking, cleaning the house and gardening and other work. All these were taught by means of an interesting verse, a song or a story.

She recalled how her grandma wanted her to weed the garden once. At first, she had not liked it and had pulled a long face and refused to comply. Then grandma had said, “We will do this work in this manner,” and begun to sing a popular Sinhala song, “Hinchi Pinchi Hava Yaddi Thanivela.”

While singing this song and gently stroking her head, her grandma had started removing the weeds. Then Janaki too had automatically joined her grandma and started weeding the garden. In this manner, the little girl had learnt to observe everything around her.

She could eventually name a bird just by the sound it made, without even seeing it. So, as Janaki explained, she was slowly gathering knowledge on nature and doing all her work in a happy frame of mind.

At the tender age of eight, she had been inspired to write her first story ‘Api Denna’. However, she says it was not penned as a book, but as an expression of her happy life. Perhaps, influenced by her grandma’s story-telling habit, Janaki says her favourite hobby as a child too was story-telling.

She had enjoyed telling stories to all at home, including the pet cat and dog. She claims that she even related stories to trees. She said she could still remember how she talked to the nidikumba plants (Mimosa pudica).

I say “wake up” to the plants and tell a story, and when the story ends, I say “sleep” to the plants.

A past pupil of Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo who did her studies well, Janaki says she didn’t come forward much to do any extra-curricular activities because she had been rather backward. She had published two story books when she was in grade eight, but not done anything else after that.

Now she regrets wasting even that little time without making the most of her creative abilities. After a lull (quiet period) in her creative life, Janaki’s interest in this sphere had once again been awakened when she had started working at the bank.

So, she had stepped in to the world of children to share the joy and happiness of life with them. And, ever since, she has been writing stories, doing illustrations and many other creative work to capture their imagination.

Advising children through her creations

She says it wasn’t much of a challenge for her to give advice to children through her creative work, because she was used to it, thanks to her grandmother.

“None of us likes to listen to advice, but the much-needed advice can be given to children in a very interesting manner, using a novel system. That’s through story books! The reason is, children like to read stories with beautiful pictures and characters they like and can relate to.

They would read such books even hundreds of times. By reading the book so many times those characters and advice become etched in their minds. Even after they become adults, after 10 or 15 years, they will still remember them and try to emulate those characters.

“When I created a story line or character, I never gave too much thought as to why I should create something. All my creations were spontaneous (instant) and was the result of my sensitivity to my surroundings and the happiness within me,” she said.

“It was aptly proven in my creation ‘Andanne ai mage sudu amma’. It was sensitivity that brought out the best creations.”

Her message to children

“A feeling for the aesthetics can’t be awoken in someone all at once. It can be developed slowly while observing the world around you.

So, think well and write what you feel. But make sure that your creations don’t harm or bring unhappiness to others. Don’t try to write story books or do any creative work simply to be appreciated by others. Because, if you don’t get any appreciation, you are bound to feel sad and even discouraged to pursue your goals further in that field. Do whatever you do out of happiness and for your own satisfaction first. Think happily and use that happiness for your creations, so, that you will be an owner of a pleasure-gaining creation.”

Some of her creations

English books

Emirosy, Silky, Chickery Chick, Bumpy, My Bodyguard, Buhuki, Hop Jojo Hop, The Magic Soup.

Sinhala books

Binka, Punchi Samanali, Api Denna Yalu, Dangaya, Napuru Mantharakari, Avurudu Kumari, Mal Kumari, Ali Baba .

Awards she has received

State Literary Award - 2007 (Children’s Literature - English)

Bunka Awards - 2005 (From Japan)

State Literary Awards - 2004 (Chi.Lit.Eng.) (Ministry of Cultural Affairs)

Outstanding Achiever - 2001

Professional Woman of the Year - 2000 (Bronze Award)

Youth Awards 99 (Second).

- Asha Senevirathne