Monologue on Montage

"The time has come," the Walrus said.
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes - and ships - and sealing wax -
Of Cabbages - and kings -
And why the sea is boiling hot -
And whether pigs have wings."
In "Alice in Wonderland."
by Lewis Carroll (1832 - 1898)

The good news is, "Montage" is one year old." This, unambiguously calls for a spirited round of felicitations.

Firstly, let us congratulate the Editor, the Sunday Observer - who represents the parents of the nursling.

Kathleen Jayawardana	Sunil Govinnage	Sumithra Rahubaddha

Then, there are sundry uncles. Foremost among them is R.S. Krunaratne - who lavishes avuncular care upon this one-year-old bundle of mischief - 'MONTAGE,' with an admirable display of sobriety, restraint patience and an exemplary capacity to remain perpetually unperturbed and cool, come what may.

Two outstanding individuals, who deserve special praise and recognition, for the robust health of the new "Infant", are the dynamic duo of young, energetic journalists - Ranga Chandrarathne and Indeewara Thilakarathna. Though swayed by a keen urge for globe-trotting, these two young people keep an ever-watchful eye on their charge, exhibiting a dedication and devotion, that goes well beyond the expected limits of routine professional duty. They breathe and live "MONTAGE," keeping it throbbing and pulsating. They are the twin soul of MONTAGE. They eminently qualify for the congratulations, that should be showered upon them at the first anniversary of "Montage."

In an unorthodox gesture, please allow me to congratulate myself, for keeping my "Monologue" going in "Montage". Now, the time has come, to talk of many things.

When "Montage" made its initial appearance, a year ago, I proposed three cheers for Montage. I settled for 'three' as that is the traditionally determined mandatory number for "hearty cheers."

What I said early on about "Montage", has an impressive current relevance. This is partly what I said then;

Sunday Observer 'MONTAGE', is decidedly a journalistic effort, that merits choicest encomia from all those to whom art and literature matter .... In today's Sri Lankan journalism, most publications, fairly erupt and bustle with a myriad voices, all musing on art, literature and culture... 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 venture into profound or in-depth interpretations of these themes.

Unfortunately, the outcome of such a development, could very well be the proliferation of elevated gossip.

Some weekend newspapers that can well afford ample swaths of space, engage raucous - voiced polemicists, to hurl abuse at their rival clans, in the mistaken assumption that these are "cultural controversies." They screech at each other, like some ferocious birds of prey, engaged in a shrill demarcation of their territories of influence.

Montage emerged in such a context, where a wholesome, national cultural discourse was obsoletely needed. The culturally parched, needed a satisfying watering hole where they could foregather and slake their thirst. Over the past year, Montage has provided just that kind of meeting-place.

The tantalizing array of subjects and themes presented to the readers, made Montage a veritable smorgasbord of delightfully variegated offerings.

The areas and fields touched by the contributors, have been wide ranging. A random selection of topics will solidly confirm this. "Siri Gunasinghe meets the Apsaras"; "Cricket as high Drama", "Singapore lit up with shinning Letters"; "Cumaratunga and the power of rhetorical criticism"; "Reading classical literature for life", "Cartoons - A New Era'; "Sakuntala Cultural Confluence";

Among the regular contributors, the Editors of Montage have decided to play", there are diasporic dons, discoursing profoundly on art and literature, poets, fiction writers of many lines, and a celebrator of the psyche of the nationless cultural migrants, impressively represented by Sunil Govinnage from down under.

As the year wore on, many clambered on board, attracted no doubt by the allure of Montage. Among them, is a ubiquitous and prolific quill - wielder, who seems at home and welcome everywhere.

The young journalist Ranga and Indeewara, have taken on a major cultural enterprise, by making outstanding works of Sinhala, available in English translations for those who are keen to know what is going on in the world of Sri Lanka fiction.

They have serialized their English version of Sumithra Rahubaddha's "Iti Pahan", currently they have turned on to Kathleen Jayawardene's "Agni Chakra".

Their translation effort is assiduous, meticulous and is an adornment to Montage, allowing the "English Guly" segments, to peep over the wall and see what is going on next door. Montage has many reasons to be proud of. It allows the discriminating reader to escape the troubling literary trivia and participate in an elevating cultural dialogue, that provides sumptuous aesthetic delight.

All that apart, I have a minor grouse.

In some instances, the impish printer's devil slinks past the keen eye of the editors, and gets embedded in the text of a column. On one glaring occasion, this miscreant was at work, on my column titled "World without Sir Arthur C,"

The mischievous printers devil, detected a letter I quoted. It was written by Sir Arthur C. on my 85th birthday. It began with the routine Dear Edwin. Resenting this endeavourment, the terrible imp-Printer's Devil turned it with "Deer Ediwn".

But, the irony is, some readers who had such awe and respect for the Sunday Observer, never took it as an error caused by that notorious Devil. They said, this may perhaps be the way Sir Arthur addressed his friend Edwin, Love for Montage?

Here you have it