Dr. Mirando Obeysekere:
In the field of Arts and Culture for 46 years
by Dr. Radhika P. Yogeswaram
Many
eminent writers, scholars and critics have written interesting letters
and evaluations in English, French, Urdu, Tamil and Sinhala dealing with
different aspects of Dr. Mirando Obeysekere's literary genius. Some of
them deal with Dr. Obeysekera's poems and novels. Some critics discuss
his researches. While some are writing about his ideology on politics.
Now, I have made an attempt to draw within a short compass to the
literary career of Mirando Obeysekere.
In between 1960-2001 we have read many feature articles and books
through Sinhala and English media written by him. Most of those essays
were on controversial topics. I remember that in "Lankadipa" (1978.10.25
and 1978.12.06) he had written and published about the dead body of Rev.
Totagamuwe Sri Rahula Sangharaja Thera. His letter began when a
controversial and eminent lawyer W. T. A. Leslie Fernando crossed swords
against his view.
Dr. Obeysekere says that the founder of Sigiri fortress was not King
Kassapa. According to his view it was constructed by world renowned
architect Maya Danawa on the request of King Visravasmuni, the father of
Kuvera and King Ravana.
One day he had published a classic letter stating that world famous
Gengis Khan-Emperor was a Buddhist. (Siudesa 1997 September)
Dr. Obeysekere points out that Kataragama Deviyo is none other than
King Ravana (Heritage of King Ravana)
According to his view the Sinhala race is a combination of four
communities such as Yakkha, Deva, Naga, and Gandabba-those who had lived
during Magalithic period and the religion of those aboriginal
inhabitants had been solar worship.
Dr. Obeysekere has completed many researches about the Aristocrats of
Sri Lanka, the caste system of Sri Lanka, and the influence of caste
system for Sri Lankan politics.
Most of his books reviewed by eminent critics such as Prof. Miniwan
P. Tillakaratne, Prof. Bandusena Gunasekere, Prof. Chandima Wije Bandara,
Amara Hewa Madduma, Dr. Rohana Laxaman, Leel Gunasekere and
international critics such as James Gibson, Melvil Johns, Anil Dutt and
Mrs. Jane Juriansz. Dr. Mirando Obeysekere's achievements were many
sided. He begins to write after a meditation of 30 minutes everyday. In
1982 he was offered the much coveted SILVERPEN Award by the Croiden
Cultural Institute of U. K. and in 1994, he was honoured "National
Honours" by the President of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
and later the Universal Brotherhood Award and many other awards
conferred by many societies and institutions. So, some religious
organisations wished to confer on him further laurels, but as a true
humanist and free thinker he had refused to accept any of them here or
abroad.
Dr. Obeysekere's first concern is with God. He is a strong devotee of
god Sri Vishnu and Saint Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. So there is a
conviction in his approach, a spontaneity in his devotion.
His only dream is that Tamil, Sinhalese, black and white, brown and
yellow would live and grow together as flowers in a garden. Many
qualities of Dr. Obeysekere's have been mentioned here-but what
impressed me most and I think what will be missed is his deep commitment
to the cause of Anthropology and Sociology both.
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