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Dr. Senarat Paranavitana, first Sri Lankan Archaeological Commissioner:

Goldmine of knowledge

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).

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.

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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