Book on Lanka’s royal dynasty
Sinhala Danauwa
Author: Mahipala Katuwavala
Reviewed by Padma Edirisinghe
Can ex-clerks write books, not trash but tales culled from the
Mahavamsa, sagas about our kings, good or bad, kind or evil, aggressive
or peaceful, charming or not so pleasant to look at? Writing material is
just “Potty” in a good writer's hand, irrespective of the social
background.
There was the Australian waitress who wrote a fine book on her
experiences in her career, that went on to make giant sales.
And, an Indian housemaid penned her autobiography. The household
never knew she was literate till her master, a professor, “caught” her
one day reading one of his books, very earnestly.
Katuwavala goes on doing a series on our long royal dynasty, that
consists, needless to say, of humans, who claim greatness and power, and
administrative capabilities, yet in some cases stoop to folly bringing
ruin on themselves and the country they ruled.
The crown is no bar to human frailties, of course not in all
instances. Disrespecting the high status they own, some even take to
intoxicants when subject to the most distraught circumstances as the
predecessor of the last king of Anuradhapura, who just gave up exhausted
by internal dissension.
Lucid style
Katuwavala’s book is not written for children alone but for adults
too who cannot find the time to read heavy books such as the Mahavamsa.
Written in a very lucid style it certainly serves the purpose.
According to him History had been his favourite subject in school,
but he could not make his way academically due to adverse circumstances.
In his retirement, the love of his life, i.e. History embraced him.
He took the bold step of penning a series on our kings using the great
historical chronicle as the base.
Now he has reached the “12th Part—2 and Volume-4 the step” and the
book reviewed here falls to “the 12th part”, that ends up the series.
A crowning end
The author also claims that he was one of the pioneers to introduce
art into historical anecdotes. His books are profusely illustrated with
apt line drawings. The kings themed in his series are confined to those
who ruled from the capital, Anuradhapura. So, the book is the last of
the series tracing the tragic conditions that led to the collapse of the
Anuradhapura royal dynasty and the great capital itself, its saga
interwoven with Lanka’s own story.
Reiterating the facts, the collapse was hastened by the drinking
habit of Senav who preceded the last king of Anuradhapura.
The habit made him tactless, unable to control his chiefs and
quarrelsome. Hence, by focusing on aspects such as this, even of royal
characters, the author contributes to the moral development of readers,
especially the young reader. How does he manage his sales, for one
simply cannot visualise him mastering a grand network of salesmanship.
Frankly he says, “I am the author plus the salesman”. When he takes his
books to a shop or a family known to him, they never refuse to buy a
copy. Do you know a man more contented? His contentment fed by good
books is remarkable. High ambition of making heaps of money on his
books? None. |