And quiet flows life...

Reviewed by Ranga Chandrarathne

Mahinda Rathnayake's novel 'Wala Yatin Mihimandalata Ira Paya' (Sun shone through the clouds) is one of the major Sinhalese contemporary novels.

Noted for its lengthy descriptions of both nature and incidents, the novel navigates through a turbulent period in the contemporary socio-economic history in Sri Lanka. Although the author's expressed objective is to narrate the biography of his brother, the novel portrays an up country village as vividly as never before in the Sinhala novel. The village that Rathnayake portrays through his novel is not a historical village at the tail end of the Sri Lankan royalty but a contemporary village whose life has been subjected to tempests of socio-economic changes that define the milieu.

Wala Yatin Mihimandalata Ira Paya

The novel commences with the arrival of Malinda, an ex-university student who engaged in radical university politics at the height of counter insurgency operations, in the village of 'Ranamukgama' by train. Malinda, the narrator of the story leaves behind his native village, parents and sweetheart 'Serala' to escape from the military suppression and to start a new life in the village Ranamukgama. Malinda joins the leading family of the village lived in 'Ratnapaya' and soon assumes the position of a family member.

The family saga moves on chronicling the changes that take place in rather close-knitted community with the commencement of an Australian-aided project through an NGO in the village. Malinda takes the leadership in the development drive launched by the project conserving forestry and providing alternative livelihoods for the villagers.

The central thesis of the novel is the socio-economic transformation of the village although the family saga occupies a prominent place in the narration. The author, wittingly or unwittingly depicts the overarching confluence of influence of globalisation, protracted conflict and the counter insurgency operations at work simultaneously in the traditional village at grassroots level. Rathnayake questions some of the inherent weaknesses in the operational aspect of the rural development prototype used by NGOs albeit the project is a success story in the village.

Superb characterisation

One of the significant aspects of the novel is its superb characterisation. For instance, the principal characters of the novel such as Malinda, Mother and Seneviratne have been convincingly developed. Sub-plots, stories, anecdotes which are part and parcel of the life in the village have been well incorporated into the plot.

The author has successfully used literary techniques such as intertexuality (story within a story), flashback and at times, monologues to shed light on many shades of complex characters. Mahinda Ratnayake is at his best in crafting multifarious characters.

Social network in the village with its caste and class distinctions has been aptly described. The other important areas such as belief systems outside the conventional religion in the village such as Davale (temple for gods) have been discussed at length. Although Malinda, the agent of change tries to change the primordial beliefs of the villages and their attitudes, his attempts more or less met with failure.

Sense of place

Strong attachment of the characters to the village is depicted at different levels; at personal level with characters such as Malinda almost emotionally glued to the village. Sense of place (strong emotional bondage to the village) has been established by graphic description of the geographical contours of the village Ranamukagama and it natural beauty.

"The Mahawa-Trincomalee railway line has been able to demarcate the road that runs up to Galgamuwa-Moragollagama which the people described as Tara Para at the village of Ranamukgama. The northern portion of the four strips of land made by the crisscrossing of the railway line and the road is separated for a hillock the villagers called Madukanda. It is a beautiful picture but only in the rainy season....."

The descriptions such as above, reminds the reader of some celebrated passages from Martin Wickremasinghe's Gamperaliya. Rathnayake describes a contemporary up country village with its changing socio-economic dynamics.

For the narration, the author has devised a unique diction which stands out for novel use of colloquial Sinhalese idiom. However, it should be mentioned here that the author has exercised care in the use of standard Sinhalese for the narration.

One of the principal weaknesses of the novel is its lengthy descriptions and a lot of sub-plots which are, at times, seem to be out of place. Due to some of these lengthily descriptions, anecdotes, the narration seems to take meandering course, almost loosing the focus.

Application of other literary theories

Despite its minor weaknesses, the author has been able to maintain extremely impressive syntax and contextual clarity throughout the narration. For instance, monologues of the characters have not clashed with their present. Though with sub-plots, the root of the narration is very clear and unambiguous. Ultimately it is the life in its multitudes that Rathnayake tries to portray through the social transformation in the nub of the village.

At a different level, it is the clash between the traditional ethos and encroaching modernity like some of the Russian authors as Michail Aleksandrovich Sholokhov's classic "And Quiet Flows the Don", Ratnayake tries to capture vast canvass of life. What triumphs at the end is the continuing hope for life.

Despite all the hardships, mother does not give up life but lives for the others. Mother's role in the novel is one of the most evolved characters which symbolises the ideal of sacrificial Asian mother. Minor characters represent different social strata in the village in addition to highlighting the different aspects of major characters.

The author has used the village as a site of change. Some of the incidents such as extra-marital affairs in a broader perspective are the reflections of the influence of socio-economic changes on the village.

Those characters such as soldiers, women retuned from the Middle East acted as agents of change in their small capacities and represent the changes outside the village.

The novel ' Wala Yatin Mihimandalata Ira Paya' stands out, among other things, for the capturing of the milieu through a family saga in a contemporary up country village in Sri Lanka.

Excellent Sinhalese translation of The Naked Maja

Reviewed by Ranga Chandrarathne

Watha Randi Nirupikawa, the Sinhalese translation of Samuel Edward's novel 'The Naked Maja' is the latest translation by master Sinhalese translator Senaratne Weerrasinghe. Watha Randi Nirupikawa marks Weerasinghe's fifth translation of classical literary works into Sinhalese.

The novel 'The Naked Maja 'is based on the biography of Spanish romantic painter Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (30 March 1746 - 16 April 1828). The legendary painter, who was a Court painter to the Spanish Crown, was both a commentator and chronicler of the era. Goya's painting greatly influenced subsequent painter, particularly, Manet and Piccaso.

'The Naked Maja' which was later turned into a popular film, is an important literary production based on a biography. It, among other things, shows how a biography can be successfully converted into a novel. The novel raises the perennial question of what art is and what is the role of an artist. Goya passionately believed that art is for the service of mankind as it is the product of humanity and that it should not used for propaganda purposes.

When Goya defied the establishment, he was incarcerated and brought before the Court where he was questioned at length on his use of arts particularly critical of the establishment. The name of the novel is derived from the famous paintings of Goya entitled The Nude Maja (La maja desnuda). It is said to be the painting of Duchess of Alba, with whom Goya was sometimes thought to have had an affair.

Watha Randi Nirupikawa marks not only an important milestone in contemporary Sinhalese literature in translations but also a landmark in Weerasinghe's literary career as a gifted translator. Senaratne Weerasinghe is one of the translators who have identified the role of a translator. Almost all of his previous translations have been rare gems of classical literature. The translator has tried to capture the spirit of the original novel thereby presenting an extremely faithful translation to the deserving Sinhalese readership. The translator has, over the years, developed a diction which is extremely readable and capable of overcome many a hurdles in translation.

Role of the translator

A translator plays an increasingly important role as a person who introduces world literature or celebrated literary works to a local readership. Through the translations, translator enriches the local literary scene. Throughout his literary career, Senaratne Weerasinghe has introduced to Sinhala readership a large number of classical literary works such as Pearl S Bucks' 'Good Earth' and Charles Dickens's 'Oliver Twist'. Like a writer, a translator should also be talented so that translated work would be a good piece of literature in the target language. Translator should also be well versed in both languages in this instance, English and Sinhalese to make the translation effective. It is the translator who really made the world a universal village through translations. If not for translators, we all could not read Russian, French, Latin American literature and some of the great works in world literature. When reading world literature in translations, the question raised how closes the Russian, Englishman and Frenchman to us. It is this closeness that brought out in introducing Colombian, Chilean, Iranian and African literature to Sinhalese readers. Watha Randi Nirupikawa is such an attempt by a master translator.

The reader over your shoulder

Reviewed by R. S. Karunaratne

D.C.R.A. Goonetilleke, Emeritus Professor of English, University of Kelaniya, is one of the rare academics who is engaged in research even after his retirement. When Kaleidoscope Volume I was published a few years ago, I felt that there is a reader over the shoulders of all Sri Lankan writers. Be it prose, verse, or drama, now there is a competent person who reads what they write. He has taken upon himself the difficult task of sifting out outstanding segments of literature.

Kaleidoscope Volume 2 Author: D.C.R.A. Goonetilleke A Vijitha Yapa Publication

The author has read a large volume of Sri Lankan literature to select the best that represent contemporary English writing. With his vast knowledge of English literature and experience gathered in teaching it to several generations at the university, Prof. Goonetilleke is singularly qualified to compile a book of this nature. His books on English literature include "Developing countries in British fiction," "Images of the Raj: South Asia in the literature of empire," Joseph Conrad: "Beyond culture and background", "Salman Rushdie", Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness", Sri Lankan English literature and the Sri Lankan people," He has also edited "Joseph Conrad: Heart of Darkness", "The Penguin Book of modern Sri Lankan stories", and "Kaleidoscope Volumes 1 and 2".

If not for the efforts of Prof. Goonetilleke readers would not be able to read the work of contemporary Sri Lankan writers in one volume. As no one can afford to buy all the books published in Sri Lanka, the anthology gives the reader a foretaste of local prose, verse and drama. Some of the writers whose work is included in the anthology are no longer living. However, their contribution to English literature is noteworthy.

The anthology opens with Punchibandara Dolapihilla's highly readable essay on "In the days of Sri Wickramarajasingha, last king of Kandy," The writer has rendered traditional material into an interesting narrative that creates vivid mental pictures. It dramatises the killing of the Kandyan king Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe by a youth called Kannasamy. The felicity of language, style and diction keep the reader glued to the story.

Tissa Abeysekara focuses on the court of Kandy in a mode of historical record mingled with symbolism, myth and beliefs in "In my kingdom of the sun and the holy peak". His narrative drives home the point that the disloyalty of the Kandyan chiefs to a drunken irrational upstart or the distaste of local aristocrats for Nayakkars is difficult to condemn as treachery.

Carl Muller's "The jam fruit tree" demonstrates through riotous comedy how differences in race, religion and culture need not necessarily divide the people. The extract compels the reader to read the book and enjoy it thoroughly. In fact, "The jam fruit tree" is Carl Muller's most popular book.

A. Santhan's "An endless journey" vividly portrays how a motorcyclist is being pursued by a helicopter. This is followed by A. A. Latiff's "An endless journey - 2" that makes the endless journey end on a happy note. The lonely rider was not aware that he was not alone on that "black-ribbon of a road." He had imagined that the helicopter was in pursuit of his innocent self. The story also describes vividly how the terrorists hacked some innocent men, women and children in cold blood.

The section devoted to fiction is adorned with the extracts of other contemporary writers such as Jayantha Rathnayake, Uthpala Gunethilake, Isankya Kodithuwakku, Ashok Ferrey, Ahila Thillainathan, Ransiri Menike Silva, Samantha Sirimanne Hyde, Lilian Somalatha Ratnayake, Ruana Rajepakse, Punyakante Wijenaike, Neil Fernandopulle and Sivanandini Duraiswamy. All of them deserve to be included in the anthology.

The poetry section gives us a glimpse into some of the creative attempts by local writers. Out of the 24 entries, I particularly liked Lakdasa Wikramasinha's "The poet", Jean Arasanayagam's "Inheritance", and Anne Ranasinghe's "Arrival and Departure."

There is only one non-fiction story written by Sir Arthur C. Clarke. The extract taken from his "My vision for Sri Lanka in 2048 is full of predictions. He says that in the coming years, improved tele-communication will revolutionise the life style of all Sri Lankans. According to him, the tele-density is set to increase as wired and wireless options proliferate.

Clarke has prophecied that before 2048 every village in Sri Lanka will have at least one working phone. It is more likely that every village will have its own multipurpose communication facility enabling voice, fax, and data transmission. "The Internet will no longer be a luxury, my fear, as I discussed in a recent article is that some people may spend too much time hooked on to the Internet".

In the drama section, the author has included extracts from H.C.N. de Lanerolle's "The Senator" staged in 1948 and Ernest Thalayasingham Macintyre's "A somewhat mad and grotesque comedy" produced in 1973.

In the "Notes on contributors", their names should have been printed in bold type for easy reference. Apart from that, the book has been neatly produced maintaining quality standards.

Now that there is a reader over their shoulder, Sri Lankan writers will try to improve their writing skills further with a view to reaching international standards.

Research work on Sinhala newspapers

Sinhala Puwath path Prakashanaye Arambhaya Ha Vikashanaya Author: Nihal Ranjith Jayatilaka

The scholastic publication entitled "Sinhala Puwathpath Prakashanaye Aarambhaya saha Vikashanaya" (The Origin and Evolution of Sinhala Newspaper Publication) written by Dr. Nihal Ranjith Jayatilake, who is a Deputy General Manager of the People's Bank as well as an author and a freelance-journalist, will be launched at 4.00 p.m. on September 23 at the auditorium of the Sri Lanka National Library Services Board, Nidahas Mawatha, Colombo 7. The book is based on the thesis compiled by him for his Ph.D.Degree awarded by the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

In compiling the book Dr. Jayatilake says 77 main stream Sinhala newspapers from "Lanka Lokaya" published in 1860 and considered as the first Sinhala newspaper in the country and publications of "Dinamina" newspaper up to 1916 (56 years), have been comprehensively scrutinized for their contents.

The book is an investigative study of economic, social and religious background that impacted upon the Sinhala newspaper publication. Early English and Tamil newspapers originated before Sinhala newspapers. A special feature of the book is the inclusion of the origin of newspapers in the world and a number of historical information relating to international trends which have not yet been included in any Sinhala book.

Ven. (Prof) Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thera, Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, will preside over the launching ceremony of the book and the Chairman of the People's Bank W. Karunajeewa will be the chief guest. Prof. Sunanda Mahendra, Prof. Ganganath Dissanayke, Dr. Praneeth Abeysundara and Gamini Sumanasekera will deliver brief discourses on the publication. Samudra Wettasinghe will compere the program.

Copies of the book will be presented to all editors of national Sinhala newspapers. The book is a Sarasavi publication.

The splendour of Sri Palee

A compendium entitled "The splendour of Sri Palee", to mark the 75th anniversary of Sri Palee College, Horana will be launched on September 24 at the College premises under the auspices of the Indian High Commissioner Aloka Prasad.

The special launching ceremony is organised by the Colombo Branch of Sri Palee Past Pupils Association with the help of the present principal J. D. L. V. K. Jasinghe, teachers and present students.

Edited by a special panel comprising past pupils this special compendium portrays the thoughts and deeds of its founder the late Wilmot A. Perera, inspiration and influence of Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore, the unique educational activities of Sri Palee and unforgettable memories of the past.

Guru Maha Dasava

Jayakody Seneviratne's latest anthology of short stories entitled 'Guru Maha Dasava' will be launched at Dayawansa Jayakody Book Exhibition Hall,Ven. S. Mahinda Mawatha, Colombo 10 on September 21 at 10 am.

Award-winning author Jayakody Seneviratne's earlier books include 'Kumarihami, Loky Putha, Vajirapani, Pancha Kalyani, Athavesiyo, Sudu Rukada, Ran Tharuva, Rubara Doni, Hithuvakkari, and Ridi Sela.'

"Guru Maha Dasava" is a Dayawansa Jayakody publication.

Vilibiya

Vilibiya is the Sinhalese translation of Emile Zola's 'Shame' by Premaranjith Thilakaratne. This perceptive novel will be a good read for discriminating Sinhala readers. The author Premaranjith Thilakarathne is a bilingual and gifted translator. His literary works include ' Kingdom of Liars', a social satire in English.

Nava Sinhala Viyakaranaya -01 (History of Sinhala)

Nava Sinhala Viyakaranaya is a first of the series of publications by Prof. Sucharitha Gamlath on Sinhala grammar. The first of the series explores the history of Sinhala language and how many other languages influenced Sinhala.

Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar is the Sinhalese translation of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar by Tony Ranasinghe. The book is the unabridged Sinhalese translation of the celebrated play of the Bard.

BOOK LAUNCH

Manthri Hatana

Saman Weeraman's book 'Manthri Hatana' was launched at the International Book Faire at the BMICH Yesterday.

New arrivals