New look to rich heritage

First published in London by Sampson Low, Marston & Company Ltd, over a hundred years ago, in 1897, this impressive book was originally written with the intention of awakening or kindling an interest in Ceylon's rich heritage among its colonial rulers.

In his introduction Henry Cave writes that his work would be justified if some interest could be aroused in the wonders that he believed could only be compared to the ancient civilization of the Nile Valley.

The book takes the form of a travelogue as Cave makes the journey from Colombo to the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. Interspersed with historical detail are his own observations of the country and this provides a fascinating insight into the people and lifestyles in Ceylon, a century ago.

Take for instance his account of what the journey entails: "The time needed is at least a month from the date of leaving Colombo, which is the starting point for most travellers. From Colombo we journey by rail to Matale, about one hundred miles, reaching the middle of the island and the northernmost limit of European cultivation. The ruined cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa are situated, the former 70 miles direct north of Matale and the latter 50 miles to the northeast. In view of the fact that Matale is the most northerly point of the railway, we must there collect our forces and material for the rest of the journey which will be made over roads, good, bad and indifferent, and through rugged jungle paths, interspersed with swamps, of which nothing can be predicated, save their malarial qualities."

Cave goes on to describe the materials needed for such a journey in those bygone days; a pair of horses and a spring wagon, two bullock carts to carry provisions, beds and camp furniture, three pairs of bullocks one as a reserve in case of lameness to others , three bullock drivers, a cook and a cook's mate and about 15 coolies. He also details the provisions – tinned stuffs and fifty dozen of soda water 'for we trust the fluid of the jungle nowhere'.

All the stops along this first stage of the journey come alive through Cave's vivid descriptions. Matale with its large native bazaar, its long street shaded by a fine avenue of rain trees, its famous temple of Aluwihare, the potter in his palm-thatched hut and the resthouse at Dambulla where the 'attendant' cannot conceive of serving an Englishman rice and curry and despite his meagre larder succeeds in providing six courses of chicken, albeit disguised and otherwise. Then the 'attendant' of a shooting party they meet, a man with an African cast of features who turns out to be a Kafir. He provides an intriguing account of the bandit Saradiel's capture.

This wealth of human detail is what sets Cave's account apart and makes it irresistible reading. While history and architectural insights are equally detailed as the journey progresses to the religious shrines of Mihintale, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Dambulla, Cave never loses his interest in the people, their beliefs, customs and culture.

He is also deeply appreciative of the country's beauty. Writing of the 'Minneria' tank, he says, "No words can describe a thing of such exquisite beauty. Killarney and other well-known beautiful expanses of water and woodland may be mentioned in comparison, but at Minneria there are many additional charms, of which climate is not the least. 

The islands and woodlands unexplored for a thousand years are so thoroughly things of nature. Then the creatures everywhere add to the romance."

Cave's journey covers all the well-known historic sites, Sigiriya, Dambulla, etc. The book is also beautifully and lavishly illustrated with his own photographs providing an illuminating glimpse of the monuments and places he mentions as they appeared then. 

One drawback in this handsome hardcover reprint, is the lack of an introduction that would have set Cave's work in perspective. Contemporary readers, perhaps only familiar with the name of H.W. Cave may have liked to know more of the man himself too. Moreover, at the end, a brief description of Cave's other books on Ceylon 'Colombo & the Kelani Valley', 'Kandy & Peradeniya' & 'Nuwara Eliya & Adam's Peak' is provided whetting the reader's appetite.

That such books are made available to readers again will most certainly be appreciated.

(Available at Lake House Bookshop, Hyde Park Corner, Coombo 2)

-RS

Intrigue, betrayal at the pinnacle of power

Malinga H. Gunaratne dedicates his book, the third edition, to the "very few patriots who keep fighting for the preservation of a sovereign state". And according to him, the numbers are dwindling fast. In this powerful book, he describes with true depth and sentience, the effects of a man's own struggle with a government's inadequacy, for lack of courage and patriotism, to quell the separatist war. The writer, as a result, suffers the ignominy of being let down by the very system that he tried to please. 

A planter by profession, Malinga Gunaratne was recruited by the Mahaweli Ministry and was placed in charge of the dissemination of news. He controlled the massive mass-media apparatus within the ministry. Through this appointment, and because of his contacts with various powerful people, he became aware of the slow annihilation of his people by the separatist war that was systematically sweeping down from the North of the country.

"After some deep thinking and deliberations, we were convinced that the true target of the Eelamists was land, and as much of it as possible..." he observes. It was with this thought in mind that he offered to get involved in a plan to stem the tide of communal dismemberment. He believes that Sri Lankan soil should not be divided under any circumstance and certainly not for political solutions. What he believes in is the right of any ethnic group to co-exist on common land while maintaining their different ideologies and beliefs.

Malinga Gunaratne, in this book, goes on to describe in great detail the strategy and planning that went on to resettle and relocate people from all communities in the Yan Oya Basin north of Trincomalee. The main objective of this plan was to achieve a homogeneous region. However, "in the midst of chaos,...and petulant public servants behaving like churlish children", this scheme was abandoned and the resettlement of people on the banks of the "Promised Land" came into being. 

The Maduru Oya delta, the cradle of ancient Sinhala civilization, was going to be turned into a land of hope and optimism for the very people who were forced to abandon it for fear of life. 

With the late Rev. Kithalagama Seelalankara Thero better known as the Dimbulagala priest as his barefoot warrior directing operations where all others failed to go, the writer became entangled in a political drama, that backfired with immense repercussions. He was hunted, imprisoned, questioned, and charged for believing in a sovereign state. The very people he tried to please turned their backs on him. But he also learned that he still had a few fearless friends. He describes days of sadness and mindless questioning to a drama that could not be told, then. But eventually, he was able to unfold his experience of intrigue, betrayal and what took place at the pinnacle of power. 

Tommiya goes a-shooting

By Ruhanie Perera 

"Madai Tommiya Shooting Giya" is yet another addition to the much-loved 'Tommiya' series by Indu Dharmasena.

This time the scene is set out of Colombo, which is the location for the film directed by Shelton Samsonberg. His nephew Andana, a permanent fixture in the series is called on to do the hair and make-up and with him comes Tommy as his assistant. They all stay at 'Sehenaya' guest house owned by Kapila Kotagaha. The trouble (and the fun) start the minute Tommy steps into the guest house by walking into one of the actresses rooms. Throw in a fussy leading man, an irritable neighbour hellbent on closing down the guest house, a slightly protective fiance, a twist of fate that ensures a part in the film for Tommy and you've got a comedy of errors. One definitely worth watching. 

Indu, as always plays the lovable yet maddening Tommy together with Pierre Samarasinghe (who played Timon in the 1999 production of Lion King on alternate days) playing the excitable Andana. They are joined by Shohan Chandiram, Mrinali Thalgodapitiya and Krys Sosa who make up the star studded cast in the film that is to be shot. Ramali Fonseka and Shehan Navaratne play the production manager and director respectively while Dayan Dias Abeygunewardene, Sakunthala Dharmatilleke and Thulitha Piyasena join in to complicate the plot at every turn. 

If you are a 'Tommiya' fan (or even if you aren't) this is not a show to be missed, for it promises to keep you in fits of laughter. "Madai Tommiya Shooting Giya" goes on the boards at the Lionel Wendt on December 1, 2 and 3. 

Evergreen sounds

Ruwani broke into the music scene in Colombo in 1996 and since then her choir has grown steadily. I have been to almost all their concerts and seen them develop. She has done particularly well training the male voices in the bass and tenor range, both of which are in short supply in this country. From my vantage point at the back of the theatre, the balance of voices was harmonious. However the tonal quality has room for improvement. In their eagerness to come in on cue, they sacrificed tonal quality for loudness. 

Conductor Ruwani held the attention of these young ones. The choir's collective eye was on her and she was not only able to maintain discipline but to establish a close rapport with them. It is a commendable effort to successfully train and conduct the choir as well as keep her own voice for the solo works. Singing duets and quartets with her students would have been a source of encouragement for the students who also rose to the occasion and seemed to be enjoying themselves. 

The programme was varied with songs from the musicals . There were excerpts from 'Sound of Music' by Rogers and Hammerstein, 'Summer time' by Gershwin, 'Lyrics' by Jerome Kern, Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Evita' and 'The Phantom of the Opera'. 

An interesting version of 'The saints go marching in' had not only the choir swaying to its rhythm but the audience toe-tapping. 

For the opera lover, 'Barcarolle' from Offenbach's Tales of Hoffman (a melody borrowed from the Gondoliers) was sung with feeling by Ruwani and Anagi Perera. Delibes way back in 1883 wrote an opera based on the story of a British soldier's love for Hindu priest's daughter, Lakme. The exquisite cameo from Lakme, the 'Flower duet' was sung with charm and sensuousness by Newanthi Gunesekera and her teacher. The senior choir sang 'Va pensiero' from Verdi's Nabucco with a pathos that was most touching. 

The set was simple but effective. The children coming in through the backdrop gave a three dimensional effect and was more effective than having them troop in from the apron of the stage. 

Congratulations! Ruwani and the 'Voices in Harmony'. We look forward to more such performances. Thank you for inculcating the love and appreciation of western music in the next generation. 

- Selvie

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