Three cheers for Montage

I earnestly propose Three Hearty Cheers to Editor, Sunday Observer, and all his relevant associates, for their new section, "Montage." I settled for "three", as that is the traditionally determined mandatory number for "hearty cheers." But, departing from the established norm, I could have readily opted for 'thrice-three', in honour of the nine Muses, who are the patron goddesses of arts and culture in Greek Mythology. On the other hand, I could have slimmed down the number to just one, in due recognition of the single, solitary Goddess of the Arts, in the Hindu Pantheon - Saraswathie.

Dr. Sunil Govinnage	Namel Weeramuni	Prof. Wimal Dissanayake	Prof. Siri Gunasinghe

All that apart, whether I offer one cheer, three cheers or nine, Sunday Observer's "Montage," is decidedly a journalistic effort, that merits the choicest encomia, from all those to whom art and literature matter. One may very well wonder, why "Montage" should be singled out for such lavish acclaim. That kind of hesitation, I grant, is justifiable, in some ways.

Let us go into this a bit.

In today's Sri Lankan journalism, most publications, fairly erupt and bustle with a myriad voices, all musing on art, literature and culture. Here, electronic media too are not an exception. Many newspapers run regular sections, devoted to art, culture and literature. Issues relating to education and religion, receive periodic attention. But, generally, imperatives of space and time restrict these efforts.

In spite of all these limitations, it is salutary to note, that, there is an active battalion of youthful writers, in the field of today's journalism, who, wielding such arms as energy, stamina and enthusiasm, seek out topics that have a bearing on art, literature and culture. Since they are expected mostly to make concessions to "popular demand," they do not, as a rule, venture into profound or in-depth interpretations of these themes. Unfortunately, the outcome of such a development, could be the proliferation of elevated gossip.

Some weekend newspapers, that can well afford ample swaths of space, engage raucous-voiced polemists to hurl abuse at their rival schools, in the mistaken assumption that these are "cultural controversies." They screech at each other, like some ferocious birds of prey, in a shrill demarcation of their territories of influence. Discriminating consumers of media, are put off by these unseemly goings-on. But, those who are responsible, mistake these to be "circulation-boosting stratagems."

TV discussions too present more or less the identical picture. There is hardly any TV debate, that does not deteriorate into a near fisticuffs situation, as it moves along.

All these preliminaries lead to but one specific point: "A sustained, wholesome, national cultural discourse is very much needed."

This is where Sunday Observer's "Montage" comes in. Since its debut, several weeks ago, it has unambiguously demonstrated, that it can eventually provide the stage for such a profound cultural discourse. The current status of the "Cultural Discourse" in our country, brings back the poignant memory of an event in my undergraduate days at the first Independent University of this land - University of Ceylon (as Sri Lanka was then known). The erudite Vice Chancellor Sir Ivor Jennings, Characterized Sri Lanka (Ceylon then) as a "Cultural Desert." The elitist segments of Sri Lanka were devastated by this difference.

Today, there is hardly anyone, who would make such a rash statement about our culture. But, a majority of those who could be characterized as the "intellectual elite" of contemporary society, invariably feel the need for a sustained "cultural discourse." The vocabulary, used in certain debates in the public domain, can in no way, be described as soul-lifting.

Yes, at this specific stage in the evolution of modern Sri Lanka, a wholesome discourse on such issues as art, culture, literature and the future directions, of society, is an urgent necessity.

But, who will initiate it?

The culturally parched, need a satisfying watering hole where they can foregather and slake their thirst. Could "Montage" evolve into such a meeting place? In our cities or villages we do not have such sports. In the robust days of rural culture, the village temple proved such a sanctuary.

While on this, one particular 'oasis' comes into my mind. This is Namel Weeramuni's "Punchi Theatre," affectionately described by the sobriquet "The biggest ant-hill in the universe."

Quite often this place possesses the capacity to draw to it, some of the prominent culture-seekers in the city. Some of those diasporic migrants, who come and go like the rainbow, make Namel Weeramuni's Punchi Theatre, the launching pad for their discourses. Among them are my good friends Wimal Disanayaka and Siri Gunasinghe from the Far West and Sunil Govinnage from down under.

These globally dispersed rara-avises, at times, come home to drop a controversial "bomb." They may create a stir by targeting an aspect of culture, art or literature and will fly away. The stir subsides eventually and the field of art, culture and literature continues its usual slumber.

But, Montage will certainly make a difference. I note that R. S. Karunaratne, veteran champion of art, culture and literature is very much present at Montage. We vividly remember how R.S. pioneered "Artscope."

The two young writers Ranga Chandraratna and Indeewara Thilakarathna, are a dynamic duo, with a passionate devotion to their profession. With such a team, Montage will, without any doubt, serve as the Watering Hole for those who seek to participate in a deeper dialogue on culture, art and literature.