A fitting tribute to Dr. Ananda Coomaraswamy

Ananda Coomaraswamy
The life and works of a universal man

Author: Sampath Bandara

A Sarasavi Publication

Reviewed by Kalakeerthi Edwin Ariyadasa

“There is no greatness where there is no simplicity.”

- Leo Tolstoy
(1828-1910)

“No person was ever honoured for what he received. Honour has been the reward for what he gave.”
- Calvin Coolidge
(1872-1933 US President

To some, it may seem, that our island home Sri Lanka, is too small a place for a genius to be born, capable of commanding universal recognition and honour. An outstanding performer in the field of entertainment, an exceptionally dexterous sports-person or an unusually gifted political stalwart from our land may register an occasional impact on the global landscape.

But, that form of glory is mostly of an ephemeral variety.

Rare genius

On the other hand, we have endowed upon the world a rare genius, who has earned universal recognition and honour through his profound wisdom and his unswerving commitment to a sustained study of the intricacies of human culture.

This universal genius is Dr. Ananda Kentish Commaraswamy, whose field of study was the totality of human kind.

As an unparalleled historian of art, he assiduously explored the aesthetic profiles of a whole series of human communities, ranging from Chile to China.

He was a philosopher of man's creative urges, expert in iconography, student of man's spiritual yearnings and the foremost authority of certain specific art traditions which include Buddhist, Jain and Mughal systems among many others.

Perhaps, the most distinguished polymath produced by Sri Lanka Dr Ananda Coomaraswamy, held mastery over a series of languages, to the utter astonishment of scholars.

Adoration

At a time when the memory of the phenomenal, Sri Lanka – born genius – Dr. Coomaraswamy is fast fading in the land of his birth.

It is heartwarming to discover an impressive work, authored by the well-known journalist – Sampath Bandara – who focuses on Dr. Coomaraswamy, with a clearly visible trace of adoration.

The writer's effort is eminently praiseworthy because it is a highly effective exercise in summarising into a thin volume, a vast quantum of material that would have needed a whole series of copious tomes to be presented adequately.

A particular reference in the book stirred my own personal reminiscences. The author talks about a meeting held in Colombo to celebrate Dr. Coomaraswamy's 70th birthday which pathetically turned out to be his last.

The venue of this meeting was King George's Hall, University of Colombo (then the University of Ceylon).

The date was August 22, 1947. The event is vividly etched in any mind since I participated in it as a youthful (24) undergraduate. If my memory serves me right, the cover – art of the book, presently under review, is adorned with a reproduction of the portrait of Dr. Coomaraswamy that was unveiled at that birthday meeting.In our university days, we perused his works with a deference due to a holy script.

In such a background of reference, I was delighted to come upon writer Bandara's work titled Ananda Coomaraswamy – The Life and Works of a Universal Man”, as it represents the worthiest tribute paid todate in Sri Lanka to the universal genius we gifted to the world.

In an introductory segment, the Sampath traces Dr. Coomaraswamy's prestigious ancestry.

Arumugampillai Coomaraswamy – Dr. Coomaraswamy's grand-father was a highly distinguished Sri Lankan who was the first to represent the Tamil community at the Legislative Council of Ceylon.

Dr. Coomaraswamy's father, Sir Mutu Coomaraswamy, set up a unique historical record by being the first Asian to be honoured with a Knighthood. His erudition was multifaceted.

Among the works he authored was an English translation of Sutta Nipatha (The Discourse segment).

In England, Sir Coomaraswamy, created a minor stir by marrying a British beauty, at a time when British-Asian marriages were not a frequent occurrence. Dr Coomaraswamy was their son.Young Coomaraswamy was brought up by his doting mother and her relations.

He grew up into a bright youth, equally proficient both in studies and sports. His first degree, earned when he was 23 was in geology and botany.

His eventual emergence into global prominence as a genius of universal stature, came about initially through his enthusiasm for Sinhalese art.

His interest in Sri Lanka's indigenous arts and crafts could very well be described as a by-product, stemming from his professional pursuit of geological processes.

But, in the course of time, after moving along a variety of paths, roads and cross-roads, which on some occasions led him to such fields as political reforms as well, he “stumbled upon” (as it were) on the prime commitment of his life which was the profound study of art history and other adjunct disciplines such as the profiting of human aesthetics, as they manifested themselves in various human communities right across the globe.

His primary concern was to set up a museum of fine arts in Benares, India. But, an unexpected stroke of destiny or predetermination, (you may even dub it as Kamma) offered him the post of Keeper of Indian Art, Boston.

This provided him the springboard to leap into the status of universal genius in the region of art philosophy as a globally esteemed as they blossom forth in a variety of racial and communal manifestations.

The author gathers within the covers of his book the treasures he has been able to garner through years of sustained effort and research.

While dwelling on the biographical details of Dr. Coomaraswamy's complex career, Bandara has put together a comprehensive listing of Dr. Coomaraswamy's writings.

His work, in effect, is the celebration of a Sri Lanka born universal genius who made humanity see its own cultural achievements. In the course of that mission, he made the Sri Lankans see the treasures of their own culture.

Bandara makes Sri Lankans see for themselves the greatness of a universal genius Sri Lanka has produced, but have failed to esteem properly in the recent years.

The aptness of the cover art has to be especially noted. The artist who designed the cover-art gives it a metallic sheen, somewhat resembling the patina of an antiquarian object displayed in a museum.

The book is a valued accolade to a genius from Sri Lanka, valued by all discriminating people, right round the globe.

When you read it, you enter into the creative recesses in the human soul.