Splendid travelogue in Sinhala

Reviewed by Ranga Chandrarathne

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Neil Wijeratne’s travelogue Kerala Nalagana is perhaps, first of its kind published among contemporary Sinhala fiction. Though travelogue is not an uncommon genre in English and other languages such as French and German, it is still not rooted deeply in Sinhala fiction.

This is perhaps due to the dearth of Sinhala writers who have the good fortune to travel in other parts of the world or those Sri Lankans who travelled frequently abroad do not write their travelogues in Sinhala. “I often recollect how the brief conversations with Indians which, on most occasions, confined to couple of words or one or two hours or couple of days, made such an enduring memoirs.

The idea that I may not meet again, the driver Pandayan I met in Madura, the painter of Jorge Town, the woman of Kerala, Dabwala and Kadapwala of Mumbai, the Ram family of Bangalore.. makes a pang of nostalgia” states the author in the Author’s Note to the book.

The book takes reader a microscopic journey through fascinating human landscapes of India and in the cities of Pondicherry, Bangalore and Kerala. Pondicherry is a unique city demarcated by two segments; one in which Indians live, and the White town where large number of foreigners, especially French are still present.

It is the part which bears the signature of French colonization. The journey commences with the author travelling by a car on a newly constructed The East Coast Road which takes him into the city.

The author’s visit to the “Auroville-Universal Township, a city with a soul” is one of the interesting chapters where Neil with his absorbing language describes not only the environment-friendly life that inmates from diverse parts of the globe lead in the city but also background information on the founding of the village.

The author mentionsthe that French influence in Pondicherry is still visible not only in architecture but also in sign boards of roads such as “Reu Francios Martin, Rue Dela Marine, and Rue Surlouf”. Neil has not forgotten to visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Sri Aurobindo’s influence is not confined to Pondicherry but spread throughout India.

He was one of the towering figures in the Indian independent struggle and was also a philosopher who had an enviable English education.

The chapter “Kerala Nalagana” which is also the title of the book, among other things, describes the prostitution in India and how the clandestine network operates through internet to attract visiting foreigner to prostitution in India.

The story of “Dabwala and Kadabwala” in Bombay or Mumbai is an interesting as the author describes the importance this unique job in Bombay holds in Indian life. Dabwala and Kadabwala are names used for ‘lunch packet carriers” which has a history that goes back to the British colonial rule in India.

Though the process of delivering home-cooked lunch packets to thousands of office workers in Bombay seems to be easy, it turns out to be a very complex process leading to the birth of the job.

Author states, at present there are over 5000 such ‘lunch packet carriers’ in the city of Bombay and that the profession has been mentioned in the special edition of the ‘India Today’ magazine issued on the fifth anniversary of India’s independence.

Neil Wijeratne ends the book describing his bookshelf on India and how he is inspired by the lives of Indians in diverse parts of India.

The Indian bookshelf provides a guide to books written on India and life in India. Kerala Nalagana offers not only a glimpse into the rich tapestry of life in India and some of its cities like Bombay, Bangalore and Kerala but also the first hand travel experiences of the author.

Written in an absorbing language which is lucid and free of jargons, Kerala Nalagana stands out among Sinhala fiction as a model for travelogue. It is now clear that Sinhala language has all the properties to describe authentic Sri Lankan experiences as well as travel experiences in a manner which enrich the collective consciousness of the nation.

An ideal handbook of Natya Sastra for amateurs

Reviewed by Vathana Varatharajan

Bharatha Natyam-A basic study is written by Subashini Pathmanthan for the benefit of the non - Tamil speaking students of Sri Lanka, and the Bharatha Natyam students who are not proficient enough in Tamil language.

The printing and publishing of this book is sponsored by India Sri Lanka foundation.

The author’s personal talent, experience in the field of Bharatha Natyam, her full ability and her exceptional talent in the field, and exceptional writing skill, are displayed in this book.

The book which contains forty two chapters, covers almost all the aspects of dance, including the origin, development, and traces the ancient variety of dance forms such as koothus , dance on modern and ancient works, dance in ancient pun music and devotional music. Above the said aspects it also enables the reader to understand the ancient role of the divine art in the society.

Beside these, this book deals with nuances of dance, references of dance in numerous inscriptions, relationship between dance and numerous fine arts, such as Music, Ancient Pun Isai, Sculpture, and Paintings. Choreography in classical Bharatha Natyam , Keerthanams, Padams, and Jaavalis in Bharatha Natyam.

All these aspects clearly indicate how Bharatha Natyam involved with numerous other aesthetic art forms and other aesthetic value of such lassiya aspects.

Further this book focuses on current trends in Bharatha Natyam . Such as Repertoire of Bharatha Natyam , Emerging trends in Bharatha Natyam , Costumes in Bharatha Natyam , Styles in Bharatha Natyam, Accompaniments in Bharatha Natyam , Stage decor in Bharatha Natyam , Impact of technical developments in Bharatha Natyam , innovation of Bharatha Natyam today, and influence of Tamil cinema on Bharatha Natyam.

Descriptions of twelve important categories, of Adavus and forty four Adavu illustration pictures are included to give a guiding outline for the teachers, and students of Bharatha Natyam.

Beside this, use of maximum number of single hand muthuras (thirty single hand gestures), and twenty three double hand muthuras are explained with sketch drawings to enable the reader to understand the meaning of the hand gestures and their use.

Relationship between Bharatha Natyam and other classical Indian dance forms, Sri Lankan classical dance form (Kandyan dance), and South East Asian dance forms are highlighted.

One can understand and trace the origin of all other dance forms which are totally based on Natya Sastra. Again these chapters reveal the relationship, similarities, dissimilarities between Bharatha Natyam and other Indian classical dance forms, and Sri Lankan classical dance form (Kandyan dance), and South East Asian dance forms.

Contribution made by males for the development of Bharatha Natyam , and the males’ role in the development of Indian Classical Dances too is a theme of the book.

Further it also deals with the temples and Indian Classical dances, and Royal patronage to Indian Classical dances. It also deals with the popular Tamil folk dances.

Tribute to Mahaneela

Title: Subahu Hewath Mahaneela

Author: Prof. Bandusena Gunasekara

Professor Bandusena Gunasekara’s latest book Subahu Hewath Maha Neela is the biography of the giant, Mahaneela. Giant Mahaneela’s role is significant in Sri Lanka’s `history as a hero who accompanied king Gajaba to the Chole Kingdom in his victorious conquest.

The writer here highlights how the power and the strength of the youth were used by the ancient kings for the welfare of the country.

As mentioned in the preface one of the intentions of Prof. Gunesekara here is to emphasis the patriotism of the ancient youth while dealing with their attitudes towards love and compassion. Through such analyses he also intends to set an example to certain Post Modernists who try to distort the characters of such ancient heroes.

Fulfilled mission

Title: Signs of the last day

Author: Moulavi Ihsan (Rashadi)

Translated by C.S.M.M.Hanifa

Signs of the last day’ was released recently by the author Islamic scholar Moulavi Ihsan (Rashadi) on Miella, Matara. He is a lecturer of the Rashadiya Arabic College (Markas), Colombo. He has written several Islamic books in Sinhala, Tamil and English and some of them are Sokem, Kiyamath Nalil Adyalangal, Islam Waliuruthum Hijaab, Unawu Porutkalil Haram Halal, Ayaathul Islam, Safinathul Naja, Kiyamath Dinaye para Nimah, Islamiya Thahaurukiyana Hijaab and Saihul Nilam. He has visited several countries of Dawah program in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Pakistan and India. Moulavi Ihsan is very fluent in Arabic and Urudu languages as well. He hopes to release his next issue “Enchanting Paradise” in three languages very soon. - Ruzaik Farook

New on the shelf

Title: Ecosystem Based Indigenous Water

Management

Authors: Kapila Peiris, Mahinsasa Narayana, Sanjeewa Wijesinghe published by National Science Foundation.

This is a valuable and timely publication which deals with vitally important topics on water management. Kapila Peiris and Mahinsasa Narayana are well experienced Research Engineers at the National Engineering Research and Development (NERD) centre. Sanjeewa Wijesinghe, a civil engineer is the Assistant Project Manager of the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau.

Title: Ma Visin Asana Ladee

Author: Thilak Rathnakara

Thilak Rathnakara has compiled the speeches he made during his 70 year life span on various occasions , in to a book,based on his experience and the understanding of the Dhamma.

Title: Agniya Saha Sisilasa

Author: Berty Herbert Perera

Agniya Saha Sisilasa revolves round young women who work in garment factories undergoing various hardships. Such women have no alternative but to suffer in silence and the author here highlights the fact that that their own ignorance too have contributed to their suffering.

Tarzan Saha Divi Minissu

Translated by: Prabhath Mirihagalla

Published by: Dayawansa Jayakody & Co.

Tarzan Saha Divi Minissu is the Sinhala translation of ‘Tarzan and the Leopard Men’ by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Though Burroughs wrote the novel in 1939, it is still a popular read.