An intellectual tour de force

Edited by Rajan Philips

Hector Abhayavardhana is the last of our radical non-conformists. He was part of a generation of political activists who conceived Sri Lanka's most daring programme of social change. The Sama Samaja pioneers of whom he is the sole survivor, provided the vision for, and the impetus to, the modernization of Sri Lanka. We are now historically at a crossroad, at a time when the Sama Samaja vision has been eclipsed by political movements and economic programmes that are shallow and pedestrian. And it is precisely because we languish in such a social cul de sac that Hector's friends set out to mark his eightieth birthday with an ambitious intellectual project.

The proceedings of the Symposium have been edited and presented to us in a single volume, which was recently released in Colombo. This volume serves three purposes. Firstly it takes us through the Symposium, enabling us to participate in a lively exchange and debate that encompassed both national and international issues. Secondly, it provides us with a set of presentations made by the more agile minds among both our young, as well as our established thinkers. And thirdly it takes us on a biographical journey where we can observe the ideological wrangling of not just Hector Abhayavardhana, but that of an entire generation of committed young activists, who on the eve of independence from Britain, seriously addressed the issue of what kind of Sri Lanka we should have in the aftermath of colonial rule. 

Rev. Fr. Paul Caspersz, the Jesuit who founded Satyodaya and played a pioneering role in our understanding of the plantation workers and in the integration of these workers and the upcountry rural communities, addresses an issue very dear to his heart. How can we charter a course of real and meaningful development in this age of globalisation? He seeks after a form of development that aims at liberating us from all that dehumanizes us; a process of social change. 

In the next essay Prof. Kumar David focuses on the most dynamic economy in a globalised world - China. He has taught in Hong Kong for twenty years, during which time he has made a special study of the economic transformation of modern China. He evaluates the interaction and outcome of a fascinating experiment. A state that emerged half a century ago from a unique social revolution; but is today reconstructing its economy in response to a fast changing global environment.

Dr Saman Kelegama, President of the Sri Lanka Economic Association and editor of the South Asia Economic Journal, brings us nearer home in his study of South Asian regionalism and Sri Lanka. He identifies a number of problem areas. Among them the prevalence of political differences that impede economic co-operation in the region. He argues that given the lack of complementarities, SAARC should work not towards regional free trade, but economic relations with other regional groups. Unilaterally, Sri Lanka should aim at stronger links with India, given both the size of that economy and its rapidly emerging growth potential.

Dr Gamini Corea, former Secretary-General of UNCTAD, in a brief but thought provoking presentation, sounds a series of warnings about globalisation. He points to its tendency to create polarization. His contribution along with the intervention of a number of critical participants, provides us with a wide-ranging examination of the problems and prospects that a globalising world presents us, not just on the economic front, but also in regard to human development, social change and political reform.

The second part of the book looks at Sri Lanka - its society and politics. The most interesting chapter in this section is Dr Amali Philip's contribution on 'Identity construction among the Estate Tamils'. This anthropological study examines the relationship between the Tamils of Indian origin and their environment. It comes up with many interesting findings. Because they are unique in that sometimes a particular tea estate is both their home as well as their place of work over many generations. Consequently, it comes to play an enormous part in their self-identity. 

Izeth Hussain, former diplomat, introduces us to the special issues that confront the Moors. Their concerns have gone largely unnoticed. For instance the introduction of swabasha for education had the unfortunate effect of dividing the community between the Tamil-educated Eastern Province Moors and the Sinhala-educated Moors in Colombo. This led to the rise of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, which seeks to represent the largely rural Eastern Province Moors who feel increasingly alienated from their more urban cosmopolitan Colombo counterparts. The Tamil demand for an autonomous Northeast Province has presented the Sri Lanka Moors in the East with further problems. They need to protect their identity and rights; but they have to do it without antagonizing their more numerous Tamil neighbours. 

Historian Silan Kadirgamar looks at the impact of the Left in the North. This again is a trail-blazing endeavour, because superficially the Left seemed unimportant in conservative Jaffna society. But this paper looks at individuals and events that were critical to the present state of affairs in Jaffna. 

Two thoughtful contributions, one covering the history of ethnic relations by political commentator Rajan Philips, and the other tracing the history of constitutional development by jurist Rohan Edirisinha are well-researched scholarly pieces. They are invaluable for anyone wanting a clear understanding of the issues that challenge political and constitutional change in contemporary Sri Lanka.

This volume has as its epilogue three landmark political declarations by Hector Abhayavardhana made at three points of time in the last forty years. And they encapsulate his considered ideological response to the march of events in our times. They reflect not just the life and work of Hector, but also the endeavours of the participants at the symposium, to continually reassess our premises and assertions in the light of a dynamic world. Such that we may be true to the most distinctive aspect of our humanity, the insatiable desire to understand both ourselves and the world through which we journey.

Jayantha Somasundaram

Traditional treat

When I began researching this book, I did not realise what an arduous yet totally fascinating journey into the past I was about to embark on, writes the author in her foreword to this book. The same could indeed be said for the reader too, who perhaps picks up the book thinking it is just another volume of recipes with some background thrown in for good measure.

On the contrary, Vinodini de Silva takes the reader not just on a culinary voyage but an engrossing journey into the ceremonies and rituals connected with the many communities and races who are intertwined in this country's cultural fabric. So the book is as much a celebration of the country's ceremonial practices as it is of the wealth of culinary delicacies that go with them.

What this book does is to examine the ceremonies and cultural practices associated with each community and district whether Sinhala or Tamil, Muslim or Malay, from North, South, East or West and then provide a background into the foods that traditionally accompanied these rituals. 

Divided into Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim (whatever happened to the Burghers?) sections, the book then covers the different races from province to province.

The ceremonial rituals and food are also given in the various forms they take in the various districts, so you would find, for instance, the kalu dodol from the Southern Province differing slightly from its counterpart from the Sabaragamuwa Province. 

Particularly noteworthy is that the author does not confine herself to the well-known festivals like the Aluth Avurudda and Ramazan but also describes the host of other lesser-known rituals particular to each community. We learn, for instance of the Neeramadu Kaththam, a ceremony conducted in the ninth month of pregnancy for Muslim women in the Kalutara district and the Naalam Chadanku of the Northern Province which is an important ceremony conducted on the fourth day after a Hindu wedding, to mention a few.

Introducing the Muslim section, well-known educationist Jezima Ismail makes the interesting point that the book enlightens us on the differences and more importantly similarities that exist in the culinary field, bringing out the theme of unity in diversity.

Here then are all those mouth-watering foods you remember savouring at your grandmother's festive table or at a far-away relative's wedding. All those recipes you had wanted to glean from those old aunts but never had the time to copy into your own collection

The recipes are simply and clearly presented, guaranteed to attract even the most inexperienced cook with many interesting hints thrown in on spices and variations.

Vinodini de Silva is a Project Director at the Women's Education and Research Centre and is actively involved in research into women's issues. Her research background has undoubtedly been valuable in this monumental effort on her part to document the country's cultural and culinary heritage.

The photographs by Dom–inic Sansoni and Sumedha Liyanage enhance the book's value, seeming to capture the subtle texture of the foods to perfection. The book has been carefully edited by Delerine and Firoze Munzeer.

One drawback though, of this hardcover coffee-table book is its sheer weight, which makes it difficult to handle and peruse casually, perhaps in the middle of trying out a recipe. Yet, it is a worthy addition to the book collection of anyone interested in our traditions and food and how they have featured prominently and still do in our society. After all, what Sri Lankan gathering is complete without a good meal?

- R.S.