A collection of random jottings

Reviewed by Andrew Scott

Along a Winding Path is a neatly brought out English translation of outstanding Sri Lankan composer Rohana Weerasinghe's autobiographical sketch 'Gaman Magak'. This is a book that should be read and re-read by all those who have an interest in the life and activities of this renowned music composer.

Title: Along a Winding Path Author: Rohana Weerasinghe

As the author himself says in his foreword "This book could be described as a collection of 'random jottings' of various experiences, impressions and memoirs that emerged during my life's journey.

It includes the joyfull and the sad, the tasteful as well as the distasteful incidents; some events have been arranged in a particular order whereas others have been put down in a rather haphazard manner...."

It will not only be of appeal to the musically inclined public of Sri Lanka but to all others interested in the life and activities of the foremost Sri Lankan composer of music whose work is outstanding by any standards.

The translator, Delicia Tillekeratne, is an honours graduate in Science from the University of Peradeniya and throughout the book she has done a very faithful translation of 'Gaman Magak'. The hallmark of this translation is that it has been done in very simple English which could be easily understood even by students.

Rohana Weerasinghe needs no introduction to the music lovers of Sri Lanka as his name and fame is synonymous with the Sri Lankan music scenario. Along a Winding Path consists of 33 interesting autobiographical sketches along with three appendices such as (1) special awards received by Rohana Weerasinghe for melodies composed in films, tele-dramas and stage plays (2) background music composed by him for films, stage plays and teledramas and (3) a summarised account of his foreign tours.

These appendices mirror the wide experience and great dedication to music of Rohana Weerasinghe whose life and work has become legendary in the annals of Sri Lankan music.

In his lucid foreword Rohana Weerasinghe says: "The path I traversed was neither silky nor cozy. Amidst the good wishes and good fortune I experienced humilation and insults too. Treating everything with impartiality and detachment I have been able to carry on regardless.

The ability to fill the earth with the beautiful sounds of music and make it spin in joyous harmony while reaching the hearts of her inhabitants in a loving and tender melody is enough for one birth."

Along a Winding Path will surely provide a rich source of inspiration to readers who have the patience to read it thoughtfully. This book should be of absorbing interest to all those concerned with Sinhala music and the life and activities of Rohana Weerasinghe. The foreword of the book too is quite educative and has been very lucidly written by the author.

As a preamble to the book Pandit Amaradeva's Wizard of Sweet Melodies', Dr. D. B. Nihalsinghe's 'The Dazzling Music and the Endearing Man' and Somaratne Dissanayake's 'The Golden Note of Silver Screen Music' provide inspiring reading.

This meticulously brought out translation should find a special place among books on music composers written in English.

The value of the book is enhanced very much by the simple and attractive style the translator adopts throughout this work.

There is no doubt that much study and labour have gone into the publication of this very readable book and the writer has strived hard to bring it out maintaining a very high standard both in its layout and content. It is elegantly printed and the attractive front cover design is by Prem Dissanayake. Credit should go to all those who contributed to the completion of this onerous task.

Coffee table book on Sri Lanka's gardens

Reviewed by Dr. Rohan H. Wickramasinghe

A delightful book. This production is being launched at a time when the country is re-energising herself after a long and debilitating conflict, which sapped her human and material resources. It could help in re-building our pride in our country and its people.

"Gardens of Lanka" is a compilation of Sri Lanka's garden history with its ancient roots and features such as the transformation of royal parks into monastic sites and reflecting also some early diplomatic relations and the variety of garden styles, inherited and created, in different locations around the country. The photographs are enchanting. The subjects selected as illustrations would do credit to comparable publications from any part of the world. Add to this Nadaraja's skills as a photographer.

Gardens of Lanka. (Edited by Sarala Fernando, Photographs by Luxshmanan Nadaraja) Colombo (2009), 227 pp., printed in Singapore (Price Rs. 6,500)

This came home to this reviewer with a photograph titled 'Laki's favourite garden, Kotte', which appears before the formal text opens. There is a little dog looking at the photographer inquiringly and providing a perfect balance in a vast garden. This little bit of serendipity whets the expectation of the reader for what lies ahead.

While the photographs form the core of the book, the editors have assembled articles from a number of well-known personalities to provide detail in respect of most of the various subject areas addressed. The latter includes 1) Royal Gardens (Sigiriya and Anuradhapura), 2) Monastic Gardens, 3) The Lotus Pond, 4) Herbal and Spice Gardens, 5) Lost Gardens, 6) The National Botanic Gardens in Sri Lanka, 7) The History of Gardening in Sri Lanka, 8) Up-Country Gardens, 9) Traditional Home Gardens of Kandy, 10) A Jaffna Courtyard, 11) Gardens from the Eastern Province, 12) Orchids, 13) Experiencing the Trees in the Landscape, 14) The Borrowed Garden - The Landscape Commons, 15) Birds in the Sri Lanka Home Garden, 16) The Bawa Gardens, 17) Diyabubula - A Dry Zone Water Garden, 18) A Collector in the Village, 19) Village Home Gardens and 20) Private Gardens.

Sarala Fernando, who edited the text, has been a career diplomat and since retirement is engaged in academic work. This background in diplomacy and canvassing the country's interests at home and abroad has had the happy outcome of transforming the present production from what might have been a regular 'coffee table book' (albeit with exquisite photographs) into something of considerably more substance.

Space considerations do not permit review of each subject area covered. However, in the Introduction ('Journey of Exploration'), it is noted that the diplomatic and archaeological histories of the island find special consideration, notwithstanding this being a book devoted essentially to 'Gardens'. For instance, in connection with the gift in the 3rd century B.C. from Indian Emperor, Asoka, to Lanka's king Devanampiyatissa of a sapling of the Sacred Bo Tree (Ficus religiosa), it is said that 'the planting of fig trees was both an act of merit and a means of ratifying peace treaties'. There is mention, also, that the 'Sri Ma Bo' of Anuradhapura is 'the oldest historically recorded tree in the world and the earliest monument that survives in Sri Lanka'.

A couple of personal observations may not be out of place. In the interests of conserving indigenous plant species, well-motivated individuals, who come across an interesting specimen in the wild, sometimes take it for cultivation in their home garden, which may be in another region of the country. As a conservation measure, this is very often unsuccessful. Particularly in the case of orchids, 1) climatic conditions may be unsuitable for even a healthy plant to thrive and flower, 2) the unfamiliar climatic conditions may render the plant susceptible to disease, 3) even if the plant survives and flowers, the specific pollinator may not be present in the new location and 4) even if pollination is effected, orchid seeds are notoriously difficult to germinate and grow except under specific conditions. Indigenous orchid species are best conserved in at least in their native region. The Department of Archaeology earlier permitted indigenous orchid plants to be transferred to archaeological sites in the locality for this purpose. Similarly, the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka earlier gave permission for the Karawiladukande Island in the Randenigala Reservoir to be used as a plant sanctuary.

Hopefully, the measures are still in force. Other state and private institutions may like to help in this cause and apprise the public of available locations.

Shereen Amendra's characteristically innovative discussion titled 'The borrowed garden - The landscape commons' brought back memories of the time some years back when she and this reviewer served on a committee set up to advise the Mayor of Colombo on environmental matters. Some top-flight professionals, who in another country would have been handsomely rewarded for their services, donated their time and knowledge at no charge over many months in support of this work.

Among the tasks the committee undertook was a labour of love to formulate a 'Home Gardens Competition' to be conducted annually in the City of Colombo.

This had as objectives the promotion of the cultivation of flowers and vegetables and the production of bees' honey, while encouraging the use of compost made from domestic refuse.

One member of the committee from the private sector undertook to meet the expenses of implementing this competition in his area. While the protocol (developed over several months) for conducting the competition annually was submitted and widely acclaimed, the unsettled conditions at the time did not permit its implementation. Hopefully, now that peace has returned, steps can now be taken to bring Colombo (and, perhaps, other urban areas, as well) to the dream of becoming a Garden City.

There is much scope for encouraging the creation of gardens in Colombo and other urban areas. In addition to the section in the book devoted to 'Village Home Gardens', another looks at 'Private Gardens', which includes imaginative creations, such as those over garages and at high rooftop level.

The inborn desire in many Sri Lankans to engage in some gardening is quite evident when one sees the popularity of the plant sale shows at the Viharamahadevi Park to which flowering and ornamental plants are even trucked in from Welimada and other upcountry locations. (Incidentally, the beautifully showy large-flowered Cymbidium orchid plants one sometimes sees brought in from upcountry gardens for sale at Viharamahadevi Park flower shows will not flower in Colombo's climate. They may grow very well vegetatively though.)

The photograph on page 168 of the beautifully laid out and maintained war memorial cemetery in Haloluwa, Kandy indicates what could be achieved if landscapers and tree specialists could be commissioned to work on other cemeteries; some of which are in a deplorable state.

In conclusion, the book 'Gardens of Lanka' would be a valuable addition to most libraries and should help stimulate interest towards making Colombo a 'Garden City'.

It should, also, find a place in bookshops servicing the tourism sector. The serendipitous timing of its launch will make it available to present as a Christmas gift to friends and colleagues locally and overseas.

Two new publications from Geological Survey and Mines Bureau

Calcareous Materials in Sri Lanka:

Calcareous Materials in Sri Lanka (Resources, Potentialities and Current Issues) By Dr. M.M.J.W. Herath - Consultant Geologist and Ceramist Geological Survey and Mines Bureau

Over five years of close association with the mineral sector of the country Dr. M.M..W. Herath presents this volume including up-to-date information on geology and formation of mineral deposits, economic minerals, calcareous materials in Sri Lanka, aspects of industrial development in Sri Lanka with their industrial potentials.

The author discusses some aspects of the industrial development of the country including current issues added with a statement on the future of the resources, potentialities etc.

Calcareous materials in Sri Lanka are extensively used in the cement, ceramic, glass, fertilizer and allied industries. According to the author, the value of mineral commodities consumed locally mainly in the ceramic, fertilizer and construction industries reaches approximately Rs. 16 billion annually. And the value of finished products exported by the ceramic industry such as porcelain tableware, floor and wall tiles and ornamentalware amounts to over Rs. 3 billion per annum.

The author emphasises on a new vision and a pragmatic approach for the future growth of the sector having a fresh look at our mineral resources. Concluding his elaborated approach in the book Dr. Herath stresses on the fact that mineral development should be in harmony with the ecology and lifestyles of the local communities stating that environmental activism is not against development.

Sri Lanka Minerals Year book 2009

The annual journal of the Sri Lanka Geological Survey and Mines Bureau is now available. It summarizes the data on Sri Lanka's production, export, import and consumption of minerals and mineral based products.

The collection, compilation and analysis of data on minerals and industry was done by the Data Base Section of the Geological Survey Division of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau which was the former Geological Survey Department.

Since the release of the first issue of 'Sri Lanka Minerals Year Book' in 1999, Geological Survey and Mines Bureau has published the journal annually.

In the current issue, descriptions of some mineral commodities have been revised and presented with a new outlook.

"Spectrum" - latest Issue is yours to Digest!

"Spectrum" seeks to present a collection of articles, which is a series of analyses on a range of socio-political concerns. The latest issue of the magazine, which comprises a combination of thought provoking articles, was recently released.

The highlight of the new issue is Spectrum's exclusive interview with former Ambassador / Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations office in Geneva, Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka, who speaks at length of a possible "foreign-relations-Tsunami", the significance of winning the "legitimate war", the Indian Factor, and the gestation of Eelam amidst the growing generation of the Tamil Diaspora.

In addition, the magazine features a variety of articles discussing diverse topics ranging from political economy to social commentary.

Dr. Nirmal Dewasiri questions the destiny of "Jathika Chinthanaya", Dr. Muttukrishna Sarvananthan discusses Economic Freedom and a formula for success for the conflict-affected region, Rohantha Athukorala highlights lessons for the business world from the 28th Olympic Games held in Greece, Sidanthi Siriwardena elaborates on the sensationalisation of news telecasts, and Sumnasiri Liyanage analyses current trends of "democracy" and "un-democracy".

"Spectrum", an analysis of the facts, issues and opinions of the social landscape, is yours to digest!

ICASL Golden Jubilee Journal

'The Chartered Accountant-Journal of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka' is a special golden Jubilee issue published by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka. This special issue was released last week at a function held at the BMICH presided by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The special issue is edited by Sunil Karunanayake, Director, IRQUE Project, The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka.

Book launch

"Bauddha Manovidya Praveshaya"

Dr. Dharmasena Hettiarachchi's "Bauddha Manovidya Praveshaya" will be launched at Dayawansa Jayakody Book Exhibition Hall, Ven. S. Mahinda Mawatha, Colombo 10 on December 2 at 10.00 a.m.

The author is a visiting lecturer at the Buddhist Postgraduate Institute, University of Kelaniya. He is a retired Deputy Commissioner of the Educational Publication.