Dr. Senarat Paranavitana, first Sri Lankan
Archaeological Commissioner:
Goldmine of knowledge
by Premasara EPASINGHE
Some are embellished by their positions. It is however, not so with
Paranavitana, whose radiance illuminates the position."
The above quotation from Munidasa Kumaratunga, the great scholar and
visionary, is worthy of mentioning here, in penning his lines on the
occasion of Dr. Paranavitana's 114th birth anniversary which falls today
(December 26).
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Dr. Senarat
Paranavitana |
Senarat Paranavitana was born in Mataremba, Galle, in the Southern
Province on 26 December 1896. In 1902, he began his primary education at
the village school Mataremba and in 1906, joined Bonavista College,
Galle. Later, in 1910, he studied Pali, Sanskrit and Sinhala at the
Heenatigala, Ranawalagoda Pirivena. He served as an English Assistant
Teacher at Udugampola School from June 8, 1920 to May 1923.
Way back in 1923, a young man in his twenties, an assistant teacher
at a provincial school, walked into the Archaeological Department
Colombo. He was no imposing personality and no one at that time could
foresee the tremendous impact this silent, quiet man was destined to
make on this country and internationally in years to come.
Young Paranavitana, from humble beginnings, impressed those around
him. He was committed, dedicated, hard working - in short work was his
life, to which he applied with great devotion. His perseverance, powers
of concentration and his incredibly remarkable memory was remarkable.
Paranavitana, genius absolute, was a veritable Goldmine of knowledge. I
presume, that this was something he gained in his Samsaric journey.
Paranavitana joined the Archaeological Department on June 13, 1923.
His special field was Epigraphy, the art of writing with a sharp
instrument on hard, durable material, such as stone; also the scientific
study of epigraphical writing or inscriptions. On his first appointment
in the Archaeological Department, he underwent training in India.
Paranavitana attained a thorough knowledge of all the branches relating
to Archaeological activity, such as iconography, numismatics - the study
of coins or medal and decorations, museology, excavations, conservation
and archaeological administration. He gained practical experience in
chemical treatment of antiquities.
He was the Father of Archaeology in Sri Lanka. Further, Dr.
Paranavitana was the foremost historian produced by Sri Lanka. He was a
prolific writer of distinction.
His "Sigiri graffiti" in two volumes and the "Inscriptions of
Ceylon", were suffice to rate this Genius, among the Greatest scholars
in the world. One of his Academic papers, concerning the deciphering and
Editing a Tamil inscription found in Sri Lanka was published by him in
an Indian epigraphical journal in 1926.
He tied the nuptial knot with Roslin Kitulagoda on March 3, 1930.
Dr. Senarat Paranavitana, obtained his doctorate in 1936.
He was appointed as the first Sri Lankan Commissioner of Archaeology
on October 18, 1940.
The rural folks of Sigiriya in 1960s, considered Dr. Paranavitana as
a God. They fondly call him "Paranavitana Deiyo".
The king is considered as the "Rain Giver" and "Protector of the
Sacred Tooth Relic." The Buddhists believe, when the Tooth Relic is
ceremonially taken out of Dalada Maligawa chamber, the rains invariably
comes.
The rural folks of Sigiriya in 1960s believed, whenever Dr.
Paranavitana visits Sigiriya, he brings welcome rain.
Way back in 1966, I was the first graduate teacher who served
Sigiriya Vidyalaya, before I joined the tutorial staff of Nalanda
Vidyalaya - my alma mater. It was unbelievable, a visit of Paranavitana,
during my stay at Sigiriya, did in reality bring rain to Sigiriya Area.
An innocent Sigiri Villager, Ukku Banda, who served as a labourer in
the Archaeology Department once told me that Paranavitana was so
kind-hearted that he will not harm even an animal. He was full of
compassion and love towards people and animals.
"Sir, one day, two of us were proceeding towards Pidurangala in a
bullock cart. The Bull was pulling the cart, with difficulty Dr.
Paranavitana alighted from the bullock cart and told me, the poor animal
is finding difficult to pull the cart. Let's get down. In the meantime,
he was feeding it with the bunch of bananas he brought for him.
He always looked after his staff at Sigiriya well. He was a
kind-hearted man. He was a strict disciplinarian. Another villager told
me, how he advised a labourer who took a bag of cement for his personal
use.
"Miniho, owage weda karanna epa, horakam karanna epa, rajayata aiti
dewal ganna epa. Sallinethnam illahan, man umbata sallidennam cementi
ganna. Minpasse umba ovage veda karanna epa. palayan, den gihin vedabime
vedakarapan."
This shows the humane quality and character of this great man. Dr.
Paranavitana possessed a golden heart. He moved with Kings and Queens as
well as Royalty, the common man and villagers equally. When Queen
Elizabeth visited Sigiriya, it was Dr. Paranavitana, who welcomed her
and explained the historical facts relating to Sigiriya, and the proud
history of this country.
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Ruins in Polonnaruwa |
Dr. Senarat Paranavitana always had a ready wit.
In mid 1960s, when I was working as a journalist attached to
Silumina, Wimalasiri Perera, the Editor instructed me to meet Dr.
Paranavitana, as I knew Dr. Paranavitana as one of his students, and to
write a feature interviewing Dr. Paranavitana on "Janakaviya and
Ordinary Kaviya" the topic for Cultural Ministry two day annual seminar
to be held in Colombo.
I met him at his residence at Raymond Road, Nugegoda.
"Epasinghe, who gave you this topic.
Tell the Cultural Department fellows that dogs, cats, tigers, lions
do not write books or sing songs or write or recite poetry.
Tell them, even Thotagamuwe Rahula Thera is also a "Jana". An
ordinary carter who recites Thandale Denna Depole Dakkanawa is also a
"Jana". We all Janas not animals.
The last occasion I met him was when reputed, renowned editor Denzil
Peiris, Cecil Graham and Dharmapala Wettasinghe assigned me to write a
feature on "Defacing Sigiriya Frescoes" on October 1967.
Dr. Paranavitana was really shattered, reading our story. With
tearful eyes, he stated:
"Epasinghe, I looked after Sigiriya like my own eyes."
After retiring from the Archaeological Department, he served in the
University as a Professor of Archaeology and imparted his knowledge for
future historians and archaeologists.In 1951, he was awarded the OBE and
in 1952 the title CBE and all the university during his time conferred
him D. Litt and Shaitya Chakravarthi title.Dr. Senarat Paranavitana is
no more. He passed away on October 4, 1972.The demise of this great son
of Sri Lanka is an irreparable loss and it leaves a void which would not
be possible to fill. His labours will live with his name.
May you attain Nibbana!
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