A man for all book seasons

"Books are the quietest and most constant of friends, they are the most accessible and wisest of counsellors and the most patient of teachers."

- Charles W. Eliot (1834-1926)

Of all artifacts of human culture, the Book is perhaps the most wondrous product. As an authority has put it, "Writing is the basis on which all our culture rests and the guarantee of its survival."

Emerging out of the wonder of writing, the 'Book' has incarnated as a daily miracle in human life. The use of the book and its ubiquity are taken for granted. The general assumption seems to be, that, they have always been there.

Yes, the concepts of the 'book' has been around for ages - but, in a variety of forms, sizes and in a wide range of materials. We are so busy consulting books that, we have hardly any time, to look back upon the tortuous but picturesque path trodden by this ever-present 'marvel'. The Mesopotamians (people who lived in the land of the Twin Rivers, Tigris and Euphrates) utilized clay-tablet as 'books'. The brimming rivers deposited thick layers of clay, which became material for their clay-books. Marks were made on the wet clay with a chisel, and the clay-tablets was either dried in the sun or were fired in a kiln. The first library of mankind, had been established in Ninereh in the Mesopotamian region.

Invariably these clay-books would have been quite heavy, indicating an impressive affection for books on the part of those who patronized libraries.

In ancient Egypt the books were made of papyrus - the leaf of a river-reed. Sacred scribes, wrote on these leaves, with brushes and ink. This form of writing received the appellation 'hieroglyphics' (Priestly writing). In ancient China, the royal writing material was silk. The ordinary people, invented paper, which became the universal substance in book manufacture.

A. P. Kuragama and friends

The Chinese invented printing, and recorded one of the greatest achievements in human culture with the movable type. This ushered in the Mass Book. Fro China, printing spread westward enabling the dawn of the Age of In cunabula (1450-1500). "In cunabula" implies, the Infancy of Printing. It also means "Cradle Book."

It is during this age, that an intense love of books, surfaced among those who cherished creative printing of books. Even today, Libraries prize the books of this Age quite highly. Most of them were ornate. The text was enhanced with exquisite illuminations and reburics. These still remain exceedingly esteemed 'collectors' items.

You may wonder, why I have launched into the history of books, with such keenness. This is my preliminary, to the point I am eager to make.

Let me begin with a simple question. Do we have here in Sri Lanka, this deep adoration for books? Are their dedicated book-lovers in our country?

The Annual Book Exhibition, Sri Lanka continues to hold, brings together, in substantial groups, those who obviously entertain an ardour for the Book.

Among those thronging enthusiasts, I discovered an individual, whose affection for books has remained undiminished throughout his life. He is not merely an emotionally moved devotee of books. He supports his affection for books, with expertise and an admirable sense of authority.

He maintains a low profile and does not make any effort, to make his presence felt.

Ariyawansa P. Kuragama by name, he has been with books from his childhood on. Currently he is part of Asian Educational Services, with its Head Office in New Delhi.

He is a mobile ready-reference mechanism for rare books and significant authors.

As a student, his daily life was spent in a bookshop run by his uncle's son A. P. Dias. Eventually he promoted himself into the status of a book shop owner, by setting up Ajanta Bookshop in Pettah.

He converted this bookshop, with a modest centre for rare books. He himself evolved into an aficionado for rare books, first editions and works that book-lovers are generally keen to possess. With the passage of time, the reputation of his bookshop spread abroad among those, who have fascination for collector's items.

Kuragama's conversations are replete with charming anecdotes about his super clients, who would drop into browse and acquire, volumes that intrigue them.

Among the were President J. R. Jayewardene, President Ranasinghe Premadasa, G. G. Ponnambalam, Peter Keuneman and S. Nadesan.

His shelves accommodated such 'gems' as the works of James Emerson Tennent, Robert Knox.

As the owner of a bookshop, he was unusually humane. He narrates the story (keeping the personalities anonymous of course) of a young female student of Medicine. Kuragama noted, that she spent hours in his bookshop, strenuously copying vast chunks from an expensive textbook. He gave the student that particular book and other text-books ensuring her success in studies.

As a successful medical person, Kuragama recalls with high respect - she reciprocated in gratitude, when Kuragama's mother was seriously ailing.

He is not at all the kind of person you could write about adequately. In order to savour the full measure of his expertise in rare books, you must initiate a conversation with him. The love of books, he has stored in his mind, will invariably overwhelm you. His familiarly with men and women of letters, is equally impressive.

A recent tragedy has scarred him sorely.

He lives in Boralasgamuwa. A flood that occurred due to unmanaged drainage, toppled a whole shelf of his rare books. He has been able to retrieve most of the precious volumes, that were soaked. through and through. He is optimistic, that the books can be fully restored, through a process of comprehensive drying.

I put him a pointed question: "In the world of electron displays, with the computer screen taking over, will the printed book set outmoved? Will the book become passe?

His spirited rejoinder in "No": He makes a solidly valid point. When books are collected, they become family heirlooms - with their value accruing with the passage of years. Besides, he observes, the inner satisfaction, that a reader experience, when handling book "physically", can in no way be replicated when you utilize the display - screen.

He makes an earnest plea. Those in authority should see to it that ancient Sinhala classics are reprinted and popularized. He qualifies his statement. Classics of other religious - Hindu, Islam, Christianity etc., should also be make available in print.

This moral stand, is quite apt for Sri Lanka. We are the first country in the world to transfer the Buddhist scripture to books. This was during the reign of King Vattagamini (29-17 BC). Until then, the scripture of Buddhism was continued in mnemonic-tradition.

Ariyawansa P. Kuragama's words should guide us. If we do not derive the culture and morality. That the wisdom enshrined in those precious works could impart, exhibitions and enthusiasm for books will not be spiritually fulfilling.

Meantime, if you need a classic, a rare book on Sri Lanka, a collectors; item, Ariyawansa P. Kuragama, will direct you.

During the national book seasons, a dedicated lover of books, like Ariyawansa P. Kuragama should be especially celebrated.

Such an initiative is morally elevating.