Distinction between historical truth and poetic truth

Raja Virithin Surindu,
Maha Vijayaba Nirindu
Author: Chandrasiri Palliyaguru

Reviewed by Prof. Kamani Jayasekera

The Greek philosopher Aristotle who is also considered a forerunner of Western Literary Criticism has in his Poetics defined a distinction between Historical Truth and Poetic Truth. Poetic Truth according to him is far superior to Historical Truth, since it has the possibility of reoccurring. Hence it possesses a universal value, a value that surpasses the boundaries of time and place. Historical Truth on the other hand deals with facts that had taken place in reality, according to the sequence they had taken place

History, though important, is something that is popular among people with a certain kind of temperament. Furthermore , history at present is being distorted and manipulated to influence public opinion for propaganda purposes.

History has been so politicised that readers have become weary of the topic as with the war theme. Both the topics have been promoted and imposed on the populace that they automatically reject it with distaste and suspicion. Impartiality in fact or fiction regarding the subjects is some thing that one could not hope for.

Prof. Palliyaguru’s new novel is something that is quite refreshing in this atmosphere. Though the Sinhala title is somewhat a tongue twister and somewhat difficult to fathom, the book itself is written in simple language ,yet appropriate to the theme. The style , characteristically is fluid and extremely readable. The immediate reaction of the reader would be to keep on reading but he would no doubt want to stop, enjoy it at intervals ,giving himself space for optimum absorption and appreciation.

The subject matter and theme involves a combination of fact and fiction. And this is where the atmosphere is beautifully portrayed before the mind’s eye. Reading transports one to the facts of history adorned with the flesh and blood of fiction. No doubt the book would have involved deep study, reference and a great deal of imagination.

One is compelled to notice the significance given to details of custom, military strategy, values as well dress and food habits of the period he was breathing life in to.

But the most significant and praiseworthy fact is that he does not idealize or glorify. To be impartial regarding one’s own country and royalty involves considerable maturity and a sound balanced mind.

When one reads written history from Herodotus downwards, one is compelled to smile and tolerate the petty prejudices of the narrator. Yet the professor has been careful not to repeat this mistake even in the fiction part of his novel.

The novel is woven around king Vijayabahu who lived for seventy three years and died somewhere around 1110-1112 AD. The king is a personality who is known to have fought bitter wars against invaders and united Sri Lanka through his war efforts. He was a person who was continuously struggling to maintain unity and freedom. The novelist claims in his preface that he had at no time distorted facts where they were clear enough. Even the fiction involved the possible.

The description regarding the period that the king came in to power involved a great amount of detail regarding the education and training of the time, especially regarding the royalty. The connection between education and religion is highlighted. But training involved not only theoretical knowledge but practicals involved in warfare. The young prince is ,at the same time depicted as a young man complete with desires and emotions of a normal youth of his age.

Blood was not enough to pave his way to monarchy, although the leadership was hereditary. It involved a considerable amount of sacrifice. Sacrifice involved nothing less than one’s freedom and even at times one’s own identity. For life for him was dictated by the requirements of the state. Selflessness was the essential ingredient for success. The king lived for his people and the kingdom.

The change that undergoes any character entrusted with power and responsibility is focused in a subtle manner , though the changes remain in the confinements of possibility. ironically the wars waged to protect the country and religion involves a great deal of killing. Buddhism the religion of which the first precept is ‘thou shall not kill’and is a symbol of ‘ahinsa’ is protected through the battles won by the military.it is also the pious king who orders to punish or eliminate the enemy. The punishments themselves are done with the intention of providing a lesson to would be traitors. Hence the public is forced to view the inflictions and the mutilated corpses who were denied immediate burial.

The paradox is striking and thought provoking. Local literature does not boast of an ‘Antigone’ as in the Greek tradition where the territorial laws are questioned against the religious. The descriptions of the battle scenes reminds one of Homer’s Illiad. To date the argument prevails among Classists whether the details had been with the intention of impressing the futility of war or to glorify the magnificence of heroism.ie, a matter of ‘our boys against their boys’. The message also involves the historical fact that there had existed continuous fights for power between the major communities of the country. The Tamil community, assisted by our neighbors, had at times even ruled certain parts of the kingdom.

It is within these political and military expeditions that the novelist weaves a beautiful love story, which in fact is fiction. A fabrication of the writer’s imagination that provides not only richness of entertainment but enhances to build up the character of the powerful monarch in a humane light. One is even led to be sorry for this individual who is compelled to forsake the love of his life for the sake of his country.

The handling of the love story is interesting. The episode is handled through the tactic of understatement. What he leaves out speak volumes. The repression is expressive and refreshing to the extreme, especially at a period where detailed description of the physical aspect seems almost fashionable. The casual statement on the electrifying chemistry evoked through a contact of finger tips on the others palm is beauty at it’s best. In this he is able to describe in a single sentence the innocence and purity of both parties. The initiation to the sensations of the emotions is given in a master stroke. So is the instance in her ripe old age the good lady regrets not having kissed the youth she loved when she did get the chance to do so and even then bashfully dismissing the thought. What the reader is made to feel is much more than a detailed description of a carnal copulations sans the essential element of love.

The love that is described runs much deeper than the physical. This reminds one of the superior loves described by Plato in his Symposium. It is a relationship of the inner self that cannot be subjected to change unlike the attraction generated by the material desire.

This he describes in the aged king who seeks solace in companionship. He had done his duty by his country,but it is compatibility that he desperately needs to sooth himself. He finds refuge in the love offered by his childhood sweet heart , that is selfless enough not to crave to possess. And this companionship produces not children of the body but offsprings of the inner self. He turns his hand to poetry and she assists ,editing and copying.

History made beautiful and meaningful by the expert hands of Professor Palliyaguru. We thank him for sharing his maturity of vision and skill with us and hope to see more of his creative writing in future.

The writer is a Professor at the Department of Western Classical Culture of the University of Kelaniya.