Stories that build bridges
Sri Ramakrishna Uthayana
- How does this book differ from your other works?
“Pangs of Poignant Pain” is my first novel written in English. It was later translated into Sinhala, Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam. The story revolves around a widow who works in Colombo to educate her seven-year-old son, and how she faces that challenge and how they are looked after by a Sinhalese woman called Monica.
I have written six novels and two short story books.Normally I write first in Tamil and then translate it. But now I find it is easier to write first in English and then translate it.
- How do you obtain the necessary experiences needed to write these novels living in London?
I visit Sri Lanka very often. Last month I was in Wanni with a few other writers. I went to the north and visited places like Nandikadal, Wellamuliwaikkal and got a chance to to talk to the people there.
Although I was born in Wanni I schooled at St. John’s Kalutara and St. John’s Hatton and Jaffna respectively. I did my A /L exam in Vavuniya Maha Vidyalaya. My father was a station master and we had to go to different places in the country so I had plenty of chances to get first hand experiences.
- How did you start your career as a writer?
First I wrote a short story to a local magazine in Jaffna. Later I worked in a Tamil newspaper called Thinakaran. I basically write for my own satisfaction. Writing is not my profession. I’m a Financial Director in London.
- What do you expect writing these kinds of novels?
Apart from my own satisfaction, I try to highlight the harmonious relationship between Sinhalese and Tamils. In all of my books I bring Sinhalese characters into the story and try to build a bridge between the two communities. In this book I have introduced the character Monica Amma.
When we were small we studied the Sinhala text book “Kumarodaya”. So I have a good knowledge about the Sinhalese and their culture. But many Tamils in the north have never visited the areas where Sinhalese live. Therefore they don’t have an idea about the Sinhalese, their culture and how they live. So I try to fill that gap.
- I was awarded the State Literary award, the Godage award twice and was nominated for the State Literary award. From India I have received an award from the Fine Arts Association in Tamil Nadu, the Tiripur literature award and a few others.
- What’s your next book about?
My next book is “the Day I Hate” which revolves around a widow living in Kilinochchi. I have almost completed half.
I intend to write about the future prospects of Tamils, and how both communities should help each other.