I was delighted when the author loaned me a copy of her latest work, not in her usual medium poetry, but in prose. Reading it was a pleasant experience and, as I read on, I was amazed how much information and how many events she had packed into such a short narrative and in a [...]

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The Sundaytimes Sri Lanka

A relaxing read of vignettes from the past

Reviewed by Manel Abeysekera
Book facts | T’was is an era, by Jeanne Suriyakumari Sittampalam.
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I was delighted when the author loaned me a copy of her latest work, not in her usual medium poetry, but in prose.

Reading it was a pleasant experience and, as I read on, I was amazed how much information and how many events she had packed into such a short narrative and in a manner that reminded me of an accordion, metaphorically speaking, with the music of vignettes of her youth with her family, at school and at the University of Ceylon, Colombo Campus, beautifully interspersed with the history of the country of her birth and upbringing, creating a harmony of its own.

As she puts it:
“We live in the present
We dream of the future
And we learn eternal truths
From the past.”

“T’was in an era”, is presented with candour and without prejudice, as she takes the reader on picturesque journeys to visit relatives and family friends and speaks of the halcyon days of school and University which forge lasting bonds to which a reader can relate even in terms of similar experience elsewhere. Captioned “Joys divided are increased” the author highlights the joy of time spent with siblings and relatives, simple pleasures – climbing a guava tree, sea bathing, gathering at b’day parties playing games and singing round a piano, which she describes as being so much a part of girlhood and of enjoying the fun of being together.

On a serious note, I like the distinction she makes regarding language when she says: “Language is for the unification of peoples. One learns another language to be better able to relate to another. This also encompasses goodwill which is essential to the welfare of a nation.” Then again: “At this time the demand for the official recognition of Sinhalese was rational and healthy. It was intolerable that the majority of people who did not know English should have been penalised on this account. But campaigning for Sinhala only were extremists who distorted the case they presented.”

At the Law Faculty the author had the advantage of having outstanding teachers who became household names as Legal Eagles and, with her in the 1969 Law Finals emerged some who distinguished themselves as politicians, administrators and practising legal luminaries. The author sums it all up from hindsight as: “The harvest of old age is the memory and rich store of blessings laid up earlier in life”.

Steeped in the author’s deep faith in God, “T’ was in an era” is a Kaleidoscopic narrative that makes for easy and relaxed reading.




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