Padma Edirisinghe - Balancing life’s interests

by Sajitha Prematunge
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Lenage Lokaya her first article saw a tragic end when the messenger gave his shirt to be washed, forgetting that his twelve-year-old sister’s first Sinhala article was still in his pocket; and what was originally intended for Silumina, ended up with the laundry woman. “I was so discouraged, I did not take up, serious writing again until much later.”

Padma Edirisinghe is one of the well established bilingual writers. She started off writing in English, for the Blue Page of the Daily News.

After a period of inactivity due to the demanding nature of her studies, she started writing again when she reached middle age.

Although she was not a journalist, her contribution to local newspapers as a freelance writer, is quite significant. Her freelance writing commenced when she wrote an article about Robert Knox to the Sunday Observer, this as most of her latter pieces, was based on credible sources and research.

Her Creativity amidst the kitchen smoke - which was subsequently published in the Women’s page of the Sunday Observer - was inspired by a certain incident which took place in her house, when a servant girl came to her saying “nona flowers are blooming in the kitchen”. She was ushered to the kitchen, by the servant girl to see that the polos pieces in the pot were blooming because of the heat.

A Sinhala translation of the same piece was carried in Tharuni. This consequently motivated her Sinhala writing. Now she writes a column for Silumina named Athithayaka Ahumulu. “Whenever I send an article to Silumina, I can’t help but remember Lenage Lokaya.”

She was first a teacher, then excelled to positions such as Teachers’ College lecturer, Teachers’ College principal and ultimately Director of Colleges of Education for teachers. Writing on and off, she did not let her career in teaching get in the way of her interest to write.

“For me my career in education and writing went hand in hand. I didn’t compromise one for the other.” In a sense her work in the education field also contributed to her interest for writing. She was once the editor of the children’s magazine - Lama Nirmana - published by the Ministry of Education. She has been a contributor to Depthnews International Feature Service for Women.

She is the founder of the All Island Teacher Writers Club, of which the first project was Jathaka Stories Retold for Children, in both Sinhala and English. She has also worked as the President of the International Board on Books for Young People from 1996 to 2004 and as the Secretary to the Education Publications Advisory Board, between 1994 and 1996.

Padma Edirisinghe has written 25 books to date. Among which Amidst a Chaos was presented with the State Literary Award for best translation in 2007. Holding a degree in history, it’s clear that the subject matter of her articles and novels are based mainly on history, but she claims that she does not write about history just for the sake of narration, but endeavours to establish a connection between the past and the present.

Armed with the right sort of information, she seems to prefer to experiment using a combination of fiction and history.

Her novel From Flower to Pawn, about Kusumasana Devi, more known as Dona Catherina - tragic queen, used as a scapegoat for Portuguese colonization activities - provides a vivid description of accounts that took place nearly 500 years ago. It’s a cross between a historical narrative and historical fiction, paying attention to minute historical details.

Padma Edirisinghe is often portrayed as an instinctive writer. “Even journalism, for me was instinctive. I have had no training on journalism or writing for that matter....” She says explaining her instinctiveness. “But I’ve always had a fascination for words. I can’t write just because I am asked to.” An ardent reader, she claims she reads whatever she gets her hands on. But, when writing, has a style of her own.

Apart from historical fiction and articles she also writes reports. “I prefer creative writing to that of any other literary form.” she says explaining her diverse interests. “But I translate Sinhala texts to English because it’s one of the ways in which very obscure Sri Lankan subject matter can reach out to the rest of the world.”

Her advice to young writers is not to be restrained by traditions and conventions.

“Female writers are often afraid of criticism and ridicule.” Moreover she explained that there are certain limitations when contributing to society in a positive manner. Negative messages should be avoided and defeatist attitudes discouraged. “Within this framework they can write anything.”