A critical overview of Sri Lankan arts and culture

Reviewed by Jayantha Divitotawela

Column writing is an art which has to be mastered with conscious effort. In journalism, columns have become an important segment catering to the specific aims and objectives. One of the primary characteristics of column writing is the kind of language the columnist would employ to deliver a specific message to the readers at large.

It is also a fact that writing in a column is highly individualistic apart from the manner in which a writer approaches a subject at hand. Some of the columns stand out in the postcolonial Sri Lankan English journalism is Fly by Night by Tarzie Vittachchi and Sunday Essay by Ajith Samaranayake. In Sinhalese journalism, noted among the columns was Waga Thuga by Chadrarathne Manawasinghe.

The Cultural Scene thus far

The regular column Cultural Scene on Montage, the Cultural Paradigm of the Sunday Observer by young journalist Indeewara Thilakarathne is distinctively different from most of the columns in contemporary Sri Lankan journalism in general and English journalism in particular. First and foremost I must congratulate him for his decision to publish his columns over the period of one and half years under the title The Cultural Scene thus far. It is a collection of critical essays published in Montage under the title Cultural Scene.

Author: Indeewara Thilakarathne Publisher: Samaranayake Publishers

From its inception, the column Cultural Scene, among other things, serves as the editorial of Montage which exclusively features high culture conforming itself to the highest standard in contemporary Sri Lankan English journalism. In the foreword to the book, Ranga Chandrarathne, Co-editor of Montage, states, “ The significance of the articles in The Cultural Scene thus far is that the objective and critical examination of diverse issue primarily relating to arts, culture and literature.

One of the principal objectives of the column is to expose nefarious figures in the field of art, literature and culture. Cultural Scene has, in a way, stretched and expanded the journalistic limits in Sri Lanka by carrying out a continuous discourse on high culture.

Exposure of personalities of dubious reputation

Cultural Scene on numerous occasions exposed personalities of dubious reputation who masquerade themselves as literati, gifted translators, and Editors-in-Chief of English newspapers. It often dealt with issues of utmost importance to literature and culture such as standards of language, literary awards which ironically promote substandard writing as literature.

For instance, the column extensively dealt with the attempts by a section in the academia and in the field of Education, to promote Sri Lankan Pidgin English which they (unscrupulous elements) interpreted as a sub-variety of English such as American and Indian Englishes. Ironically the self-proclaimed vanguards of such a linguistic movement do not apparently practised what they often eulogised in media and the kind of English they are trying to incorporate into the system of Education.

Braving the risk of personal attacks, the columnist has, on numerous occasions, exposed personalities of dubious reputation who pose off as literati and translators. The column often offers a critical views on fundamental issues in the field of arts and culture. Apart from the mandarin issues in the contemporary Sri Lankan cultural scene, the column Cultural Scene has dealt with themes such as “ Translations in a globalised context” , “ Origin and future of Sinhalese Cinema”, “ Short Story as a literary genre”, “ Short Story writing” and “ Diaspora and Diasporic literature”.

Short story writing

The essays entitled Short Story as a literary genre and Art of Short Story writing are among the well-researched essays. The columnist states, among other things that the essays were prompted by a writer’s remark which reveals his mean understanding of the craft. Indeewara writes, “Among the reasons that prompted me to venture into the theme is the appalling knowledge gap on the part of some of the Sri Lankan writers in English on diverse literary genres in general and on the short story in particular.”. The two essays offer an overview on the craft of short story writing.

Meticulous research

One of the salient characteristics of the column, Cultural Scene which distinguishes itself from contemporary columns is the meticulous research that the columnist has done in writing his columns. For instance, the essay entitled “Short Story writing” offers a critical view on the art of writing short stories. The column within a brief space sums up the essence of the craft apart from educating the reader on the state of Short Story writing in contemporary Sri Lankan literary scene.

One of the critical essays that is noteworthy is the essays entitled “Dethroning 'Kaduwa' and the question of linguistic ownership”. It is one of the series of well-researched essays on the issues of ‘de-hegemonising’ English and the kind of standard that should be maintained in order to reap the benefit of using an international language. Commencing on the brief history of English in Sri Lanka, the columnist concludes the essay offering his conclusion as what kind of language that Sri Lanka should adapt to reap the full benefit of English.

Indeewara concludes the essay, “ …For that, however, English will first have to be demystified. It will have to be revealed as just another cultural tool among others and not the intimidating 'kaduwa' of student mythology. It will have to be stripped of its colonial trappings and its class status erased.

How does one set about this? GK [Gamini Haththotuwegama] talks encouragingly of AL students at a revision seminar singing Michael Jackson's 'Heal the World' or Bob Dylan's 'Blowing in the Wind.' More to the point is the trilingual version of Dylan's song, which his own theatre group had done.

All this can help to bring English down from its old Anglo-Saxon pedestal and relate it to the more immediate realities of life as lived by the average non-elitist student.

For this is where the future of English in Sri Lanka will lie. It will be futile to expect the progeny of the old English-educated elite to keep the flag flying. Most of them are not interested anyway or have succumbed to a culture of 'Thannane naa-thane naa' as GK caustically comments."

The future of the English Language Education in the country will lie not in the production of imaginary regionalised veriety of English replacing English words such as 'Mortar' with 'Mirisgala' or the promotion of erroneous use of question tags but in promoting bilingualism. Such a policy of broadbasing the ownership of English or truly taking the English language to the masses would produce homespun literati in English in the calibre of Salman Rushdie, Arundathi Roy, and Chinua Achebe.

In the context of forming a one nation and to break existing cultural barriers across ethnic groups in Sri Lanka, should we seriously consider adapting English as a national language or as a medium of instruction along with Sinhala and Tamil? “

Personalities

The essays on personalities constitute an important segment of the book Cultural Scene thus far. For instance, the writer offers a wide range of information and discusses issues pertaining to the literary personalities and their works in an objective and non-partisan manner.

One of the factors which lend credence and authenticity to the writings in Cultural Scene thus far is the sheer objectivity which the author maintains throughout the essays over a period of one and half years. Personalities featured in the book ranges from Raja Rao, Martin Wickremasinghe and Edwin Thumboo to contemporary writers such as Aravind Adiga.

Cultural Scene thus far is a source book for readers and academics who are interested to gain a critical view on the contemporary Sri Lankan cultural scene. Ninety-Two critical essays in the book offer wide ranging information and views on the contemporary Sri Lankan literary scene apart from critical areas such as postcolonial literature. The book is published by Samaranayake Publishers.

Fact or fiction?

Reviewed by Gwen Herat

My ideas, belief and ideals about the Bible is strong, powerful and inspirational. No other faith or teachings could change my belief in Christianity. So, when a friend gifted me with a copy of The lost years of Jesus, I was angry as well as curious and left it in my library for over a year until I plucked enough of courage to see what was inside the book, within the pages.

What I read was amazing and in doing so, I had the Bible beside for reference and clarification to clear my mind. One thing came out clear and bold; the lost years are not found in the Bible. But I am not going to take this explanation lying down; the years of Jesus from 13-29 to be precise according to the author, Elizabeth Clare Prophet. Jesus went on a pilgrimage to India, Nepal and Tibet. What if someone else comes up with another theory that Jesus' lost years can be traced nearer home around Jerusalam. In fairness to Prophet, she is ably assisted by vast documentary proof of a Saint Issa whom she attributes to Jesus.

Whom are we to believe?

Confusing

In a confusing, contradictory manner, Prophet says of Jesus: Date of Birth unknown. Exact year of birth also unknown, sometime between 8 and 4 BC. Place of birth disputed. Thought to be Bethlehem.

Father Joseph, carpenter. Came from a noble and illustrious line beginning with Abraham and continuing through Isaac and Jacob to David the King, then through Solomon to Jacob, the father of Joseph and husband of Mary.

Human lineage thus established through paternal descent, through father's paternity is vehemently denied by some in favour of the doctrine of virgin birth.

With all these assumptions, Prophet rolls in a maze of evidence trying to prove the lost years be sited in the East. She argues her case from pages 1-7 as she roller-skates abundantly supported by a long list of sages, prophets, academics, theologians etc. of past and present. On this subject, she has been featured in the United States on NBC's Ancient Prophesies, on Donahue, Larry King live, Sonya Live and CNN.

Pilgrimage

Prophet also says that the Lord's pilgrimage from Jerusalam to India was recorded by Buddhist historians. Jesus can never be and should not be dragged across on pages for speculation or sensation. Who are we to place Him at different sites in His lost years when the Bible did not. If the Holy Bible left that era blank, there has to be a reason and purpose. May be to test our faith and we as Christians must accept the anonymity.

However, The last years of Jesus is a cleverly researched book good enough to lead away the Christians or cause doubt in their minds with every knot secured with no loose ends dangling.

The ordinary layman could be impressed. The visuals in the book throw light on her writing. She also defines the Heaven and Earth concept often involved but rarely difined and far removed from the Holy Scriptures. When Prophet chose her words she should have been mindful that Christianity is one faith, one God though with many strains. We Christians can commune with God directly. We do not and must not follow every word preached from the pulpit because we have the Bible as our guide for referance. Our spiritual awareness is built on solid foundation throughout the world and some of our brothers are still persecuted in the name of our Lord but their trust is so great. They survive. At the end we shall have everlasting life without Lord.

Challenge

The lost years of Jesus is a challenge to all Christians to denounce what is not correct but appreciate some of the contents at large. If all care to read and study the Old Testament which is the fore-runner to the New Testament and the coming of Jesus Christ to save sinners. Writers like Prophet will hang her head in shame for distorting facts not known down these centuries.

Prophet stresses that Jesus is loved throughout the East as Saint Issa and she brings together the testimony of four eye-witnesses of these remarkable documents. With the thoroughness of a disciple turned detective, Prophet tells the intriguing story of the international controversy that arose when the manuscripts were first discovered in 1887 by Nicolas Notovich. It took more time when they were rediscovered in this century. Prophet also quotes many to substantiate her convictions;

'And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which, if they should be written everyone, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should have been written. - John

'Village or forest, water or land, holy is the place where saints dwell.

Holy is the forest.

Holy is the place where the senses are at peace, where the saints find refuge and simple delight..... - The Dhammapada

'All the world's a stage And all the men and women merely players

They have their exits and their entrances,

And one man in his time plays many parts.... - Shakespeare in As you like it

Buddhist scholars documented the life of Saint Issa two thousand years ago. Nicholas Notovich discovered the long-lost documents in 1887 at the Himis Monastery in Ladakh. Swami Abhednanada published a Bengali translation of Himis manuscript in 1929. Nicolas Roerich quoted the same verses in 1929 travel diary in his Asian Expedition. in 1939, a lama at Himis presented a set of parchment to Elizabeth Caspari with the words 'These books say your Jesus was here.'

Controversial

Prophet had access to all these documents, the controversial stories of these travellers together with the original Buddhist scriptures on the most important events that shaped the life and work of the Saviour Jesus Christ according to Prophet who sums up The lost years of Jesus as a historical breakthrough that will shake the foundation of modern Christendom.

Wrong, Prophet; it never happened and will never happen because our faith in Jesus can never be shaken. We as Christians have the guardians of the Holy Scriptures that none can dispute.

The author is a clever writer from any angle. She tried a Rushdi of the Satanic Verses for the sake of sensation and fell flat on her face if that was the motive. She founded the Elizabeth Clare Prophet Summit University Press which is 25 years old.

Legends

Her books are translated into 23 languages and distributed in 33 countries. The chronicles and legends found in The lost years of Jesus brought back the most revolutionary message of our time.

In summing up on The lost years of Jesus, Prophet has maliciously and intentionally schemed to lead Christians away or cause a division in their faith. Her attempts to shake up the foundation of Christendom at the expense of our faith in order to create a best-seller is yet another attempt. No one will buy her arguments however brilliantly she has put them across.

Prophet is a 'prophet' of unbecoming faith, an anti-Christ or a Damian in a woman's guise.

BOOK LAUNCH

Dictionary of Idioms, timely publication

Dictionary of Idioms by Hanser Abesiriwardena is a timely publication by an experienced teacher of English. It is obvious that the author has compiled the dictionary taking into consideration particularly the fact that most of the contemporary Sri Lankan users of English are either ignorant or have a meagre understanding in the use of English idioms.

Outlining the grounds for the publication, the author, among other things, has mentioned that the publication of the dictionary was prompted by the fact that most users of English in Sri Lanka ‘do not know what idioms are and perhaps, they are not aware of the role idioms play in English’. The author states that idioms are often metaphors and comparisons as “You are making a mountain out of a molehill”. It is a fact that the idiom is an expression in a given language which cannot be translated into another. The book offers English idioms and idiomatic phrases which are in common use and which can be readily used in the arena of everyday interactions.

The author should be commended for taking time off from his busy schedules to compile a dictionary of idioms catering particularly to Sri Lankan users of English addressing specific issues of Sri Lankan users of English. Without doubt, the author has profited from his long and fruitful career in teaching English for Sri Lankan students who have been constantly come under the influence of native tongues such as Sinhalese and Tamils. The dictionary offers a reader-friendly format addressing the specific concerns of Sri Lankan users of English. For instance, meaning of the idiom is described in a couple of words with an example which puts the idiom in a model sentence.

“alone- let alone

Used after a statement to emphasize because the first thing is not true or possible, the next thing cannot be possible either:

There isn’t enough room for us, leaving alone any guests. Apart from the idioms the book offers readers abbreviations which are useful particularly in Sri Lankan context. The author, Hanser Abesiriwardena is an English Specialist Teacher trained at Teachers’ Training College in Maharagama.

Psychology's impact on spiritual development

Reviewed by R. S. Karunaratne

Psychology is the study of human behaviour. Spirituality is the quality of involving deep, often religious, feelings and beliefs, rather than the physical parts of life. Although a few books have been written on psychology in Sinhala they hardly deal with the spiritual development. In fact, most psychologists believe that spiritual development belongs to philosophy. As a result, there are more books on philosophy dealing with spirituality than on psychology.

Adhyathmika Sanvardhana Manovidyava Author: A. S. Balasuriya A Sara publication

A. S. Balasuriya who has done a thorough study on the psychological aspects of spiritual development is a pioneer in this field. In ten chapters he explains various aspects of spirituality for both practitioners and students. Having met and spoken to several spiritual leaders here and abroad, he has drawn certain conclusions that draw our attention.

Many spiritual leaders such as the Buddha, Jiddu Krishnamurti and Echhart Tolle have dealt with the problems of spirituality over the past centuries. However, their views bordering on religion and philosophy have not been subjected to a proper analysis by modern psychologists. As a result, even the very concept of spirituality is open to debate. The author agrees that we cannot expect psychologists to enlighten us on this topic.

The chapter on meta cognition explains how we think and the complexities of the mind. The author draws inspiration from Buddhism, especially the Sathara Sathi Pattana. The final aim of meta cognition is the self understanding. How many of us can answer the simple question: "Who am I?" meaningfully.

This aspect of meta cognition has been adequately dealt with by religious leaders and philosophers. It is only in recent times that psychologists are trying to answer this intricate question.

On the other hand, wisdom has not been properly defined and dealt with by psychologists. It is interesting to know whether wisdom can be equated with intelligence. The other attendant questions are: Can we develop our wisdom? How does a person become wise? Can we experience enlightenment? Can wisdom transcend from one life to another? Transpersonal psychologists have shed some light on these questions. But there seems to be more questions than answers.

The chapter on 'Being' explains what it means to the reader. The author has quoted both philosophers and psychologists to drive home his point of view. 'Being' can lead to pure consciousness, bliss and compassion. The author has drawn examples mostly from religious texts.

It shows that the subject cannot be purely dealt with psychologically.

Apart from psychologists and psychology students the general reader wants to solve his psychological problems. The author has added a chapter to deal with resolving psychological problems in a lucid manner. He gives hope to those who are stressed and looking for simple solutions to their problems.

The author's attempt at explaining spirituality in the light of psychology is praiseworthy.

NEW ARRIVAL

Art of clinical medicine Author: Dr. S.D.K. Perera, MD, FRCP (Consultant physician and Gastroenterologist)

Art of clinical medicine provides a practical account of clinical medicine. It focuses on the interpretation of history, physical examination and relevant investigations that are required to make a correct diagnosis. Whereever possible, most of the physical signs are illustrated by photographs and the correct techniques of eliciting physical signs are demonstrated in a simple manner, with differential diagnosis.

This is a 264 page book with 277 colour photos. A CD is provided. The book is suitable for undergraduates, postgraduates and also for those who are preparing for ERPM Examination. The book is distributed by Samayawardana Bookshop, Colombo 10.