Writer's Den

A survey of multifarious Asian psyche

Reviewed by Ranga CHANDRARATHNE

`That Deep Silence' is the latest anthology of short stories together with a couple of poems by versatile Sri Lankan writer in English, Punyakante Wijenaike. With a remarkable insight into human psyche, Punyakante Wijenaike surveys complex Sri Lankan socio-cultural landscape as wide as it could have been; from the poorest to the richest segments of individuals and their perpetual struggle to upkeep their culture and inheritance even under difficult circumstances. It is a bizarrely heart-rending and testing version of multi-faceted scenery.

The authoress has been greatly influenced by the ravages of war on the population, particularly on women. "A message of Love" is one of the short stories in which the widow's mindset is analysed against the war. A widow is in a white saree which was gifted to her by her Air Force Officer husband, who wanted her to remain like a bride. Ironically she now wears the same saree for his funeral as well. During the funeral she receives a valentine card that her husband posted before he went back to the war zone.

And then it came, through the post, the card you must have posted before you flew to your death: a card embossed with white roses and pink hearts of love. A valentine to see me through the empty years ahead ....like the last smile of sunset at the end of a day!

It is clear that the days ahead are empty for her and that the valentine card will remember her husband's eternal love. The widow represents a generation of women who are widowed by war. Though woven around an incident, the story drives home the fact that community should also be concerned about the plight of widows.

The poem "Can you hear me?" is a plea of a child-refugee for life. Here the hapless child does not ask for sun or moon but a decent life with a shelter.

I have not been near a school

For many months

Or may be years?

I cannot count

I am not asking for much space

Just a place to have a roof,

Spread a mat

And have a good night's sleep.

....I fear unlawful recruitment

By unlawful bandits

I have brothers and sisters

Living on your borders

Being sold to foreigners

As sex slaves

....

Please Mother Lanka

Can't you hear us cry?

The child wanted a secure shelter, education and protection that he/she may not be recruited by `unlawful bandits' (LTTE). Some of his/her brothers and sister are sold to foreigners as sex slaves.

I am a child

Living in the conflict-torn zone

Of your womb.

Not enough blood supply

Come this way.

I am with my family,

Bags packed to flee

At any moment

To a safe area.

The child lives with the family in the war -torn zone where there is little supply and bags are packed so that they can flee at any moment. This has been a reality for thousands of Tamils in the North and East until Sri Lankan army liberated them. The poetess has effectively portrayed the mindscape of the hapless child and deprivation that people underwent in a situation of conflict. Perhaps, "Can you hear me? " is a tribute to generation of internally displaced persons.

A Gilded Cage is a short story which is on the theme of incongruity in marriage. Daksha is a girl with an inhibition on marriage which is based on astrological predictions that she would die at child birth. However, she enters into wedlock on insistence of her mother and the story ends with thoroughly disenchanted husband filing a divorce case and marrying her best friend who agreed to bear children for him. Here the authoress tries to highlight the unfounded beliefs and their negative effects on the individuals.

Ashes to Ashes is about a miserable evening of an architect. Although there were material comforts for the old man, he was lonely and isolation nearly killed him. What is needed in the evening of life is companionship which will help individuals to cope with the stress. Following architect's death, his old house which was built in harmony with nature, was sold to a beautician who converted it into a salon.

Facing the sun set... traces a mindscape of a cancer patient and how it affects her life. Here the authoress masterly juxtapositions the nature with the changing moods of Nethra, the woman who suffers from cancer. It was the same maiden sun rays that greet her when she meets with the doctor, for the first time and in her last moments.

As a writer sensitive to contemporary issues, Punyakante Wijenaike discusses the sensitive issue of homosexuality in the short story, Love is never wrong . The story is about a strong affair between two friends (Naran and Anish). Even after marriage `two inseparable duos' continue their relationship. However, the story ends with Naran finding a convenient way out and leading a split-life.

Poem "Colombo" highlights the environmental degradation and how the once green city has, now, been turned into a concrete jungle.

In times past

Colombo was a beautiful,

Peaceful city

Of low roofed buildings

With low parapet walls

And unlocked gates.

.....

Today is a different picture

Of the same city

Crammed with traffic and blaring horns,

Towering sky-scrapers

That offer no shade,

High walls with closed high gates...

Here images of the past which defined the city of Colombo converge with those of the present. In place of a peaceful city, low roofed building and unlocked gates, now the same cityscape is occupied by `Towering sky-scrapers 'and `blaring horns'. So the milieu has changed.

The poems such as Remembering Nihal (dedicated to late Nihal de Silva), Where have all our children gone? Night of Terror and short stories such as " The Decision", " Farmer's son", " The Wedding" and " Distance Dream" and " Tradition" cover diverse themes as well as equally diverse social strata, their ethos and their struggle for life.

The authoress stands out for brevity of expression as stated on the back cover which make these stories short and to the point that very often they seem like reporting important events.

However, apart from these shortcomings, the book stands out among contemporary Sri Lankan writings in English. The book offers a rich harvest of insights and should be on the must-read list.