How would you like to have a new face? Roshan Peiris talks to well- known personalities to get their views

Mirror, mirror, do I keep it or change it?

Professor John Barker, Head of Plastic Surgery Research at the University of Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.A. has recently announced that a complete face transplant would be possible soon.

The Sunday Times asked men and women whether they would like their faces changed and given a new look. It seems some cherish the idea of having a newly transplanted face.

Industrial Development Minister C.V. Gooneratne always known for his natty dress and good looks, combined with his inevitable red handkerchief says with a chuckle the prospect is pregnant with possibilities. Trust C.V.'s humour to use the word 'pregnant' with all its connotations.

"I recall an incident in Parliament where I was dressed in a snazzy Indian kurtha, when a heckler from the opposition raised a point of order, saying "Hon. Speaker the Hon. Minister is improperly clad." I then addressed the Speaker thus, "Sir if the Hon. Member is envious of my clothes I could tell him where he could get them but if he is envious of my looks I would strongly recommend to him the miracles of plastic surgery.This would be the answer to the opposition member's needs! Most politicians won't need this remedy because 'volte face' on principles is second nature to them!

"The remedy could be a shield against the dire consequences of 'inappropriate behaviour!" he said.

Reggi Candappa , Chairman Grant McCanan Erickson, as an artist of no mean repute says he has learnt to observe faces and he is never far from wrong in recognising kind eyes, a weak chin or a cruel mouth.

"As an artist I have learnt to make my own judgement of the character of persons from their facial features. I have never been far from wrong in recognising 'kind eyes' or a 'cruel mouth', a 'weak chin' or 'sensuous lips' an 'intelligent forehead' or 'a criminal disposition', he said.

Mr. Candappa said, "Transplanting a new face is not like any other human organ transplant. A kidney donated by a criminal can function unobserved when transplanted in your body.

"Another person's face or facial features could convey a whole range of information about your character, personality or tendencies."

We also spoke to North-East Govenor Gamini Fonseka whose face most certainly attracted the affection and admiration of women in this country a few years back. When we put to him the question whether he enjoyed the admiration of women he said,"I'm well aware women like my face and I enjoy this adoration from women".When we asked whether he would like to undergo a face transplant, he said, "I don't think I would like Professor Barker to transplant or rearrange my face. So far I am satisfied with the face God has given me.

"But I must admit that sometimes seeing the same face reflected in a mirror gets quite boring. I am 62 now and I don't think I should think about my physical appearance but spend my twilight years in reflection."

Our next candidate was Park Nadesan,- one time civil servant and Permanent Secretary to Sir John Kotalawela once described by Tarzie Vittachchi in his popular Fly-By- Night column, as so handsome that women did not leave him alone.

Now in his seventies he says the idea of changing or transplanting his face is peddling too fanciful an idea.

"Also there is the possibility that after a time the transplant or change may alter or be rejected altogether. I have always been pretty pleased with my looks so why oblige John Barker with a transplant?"

Next we approached some women to get their views. Mano Muthukrishna in her youth was a beautiful woman.Today she is still an attractive grandmother.

She was quite amused at being able to transplant her face or even change its contours.

She said : "I know that by no means will my present face launch a thousand ships but there is no harm in imagining it would may be with Professor Barkers help.

"The trouble would be to think whose face I would like to have. I would probably go for a face like Grace Kelly or the chiselled features of Greta Garbo. They were wonderful faces".

"I would like to sport the gentle innocent faces of my two grand-daughters Renu and Tesala. I know it is all a tall order for Professor Barker. But I would like a combination of all these faces."

Malini Bodinagoda who often graces the fashion pages of local newspapers said "My goodness I don't want to alter my face in any way. What guarantee is there that the alteration may not make it look worse. It is better to stick to my own face which I don't think is unpleasant to look at is it?"

Then we come to Goolbai Gunesekera a good-looker apart from being an academic and Principal of the Asian International School.She says different faces are famous at different times.

Mrs. Gunesekara, "I was sitting through my fourth viewing of that always fresh, always thrilling childhood classic of yesteryear, "The Thief of Bhagdad". On the screen, the stunningly beautiful Princess was being regally and royally carried on her palanquin. My six-year old mind was almost blown by June Duprez and the Arabian Nights dream. I wanted to look exactly like her.

A year or so later "Three Musketeers" rode gallantly and dashingly across the silver screen. All of them seemed to fall in love with Linda Darnell whose sultry beauty stirred emotions we could barely guess at. We all wanted to be like Linda Darnell.

"Following hard on her heels was the unbelievable Ava Gardner who had this inexplicable ability to raise just one eyebrow quizzically while the other remained stationary. It drove men wild. It drove us wild too as we practised, pracitsed and practised to do likewise. We were a facial contortionist's nightmare. We all wanted to be like Ava Gardner.

"Time passed and our tastes grew more sophisticated. Remember Veronica Lake anyone? Remember that cool blonde actress whose silky hair fell like a golden curtain over one eye while she peered seductively (if not quite blindly) through the soft strands? We copied her of course.

"'Dear me,'said our sarcastic Form Teacher, Miss Cookburn. 'What a lot of little Cyclopses we have in school today.'She marched up and down the aisles ruthlessly tying back flowing tresses with petticoat tape. That was the end of wanting to look like Veronica Lake.

"But we were nothing if not progressive. The Ingrid Bergman mania was sweeping the world.

"'Play it again Sam,' murmured Ingrid to the pianist in Rick's Cafe. We were totally and completely mesmerised by the gorgeous Swedish actress.

"And now here I sit - a grandmother twice over. I peer incredulously into my dressing table mirror. Where have all the years gone? Grand-daughter, Kitkat bounces in and overhears me saying 'Play it Again Sam' in somewhat subdued tones." 'Why on earth are you talking to yourself Achchi?' she demands.

"Just trying to look like a filmstar I used to love," I sigh.

"Kitkat does not relate to such lunacy. She thinks nothing of the TV heroines these days, and given their strange clothes and odder looks who can blame her? Leonardo di Caprio is her icon, her idol, the dream Shiekh of her fantasies.

'Never mind achchie,' she tells me, 'You're not half bad at all. When I'm your age I'd like to look just like you.'

"Ugh Ugh I feel repelled by the very thought of Professor Barker or any other plastic surgeon meddling with my face, leave alone transplant it," said Susan Donnelley ,wife of the United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka.

Her merry round face beamed as she said "I do like clowning though. It is with me a professional thing. That does not mean I want to change the contours of my face. For six long years I took courses in clowning, though I did not attend College for clown training. Just imagine that."

Ms. Donnelley has a major in History and has now opted to become an honorary member of the Sri Lanka Magic Circle.

Ms. Christobel Weerasinghe listening to Ms. Donnelly said, "I wish Professor Barker could make me taller. My maternal grandmother was five feet seven inches tall, my mother five and nine inches tall. and my daughter five, nine inches. Look here is her majestic looking picture". Petite Chirstobel said, "I like my features and don't want them changed but my height if possible, yes of course."

The late Oliver Weerasinghe, Christobel's husband had been for six years Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the United States and before that served as Director of the U.N for housing, building and planning.

A fair oval face and unblemished skin belonged to Ms. Irma Ficara, wife of the Australian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka. The High Commissioner, David Ritchi Irma Ficara is English .

"I am both happy and content with my face and I don't need Professor Barker to try and improve on what I have. I don't think I need any improvement in my facial appearance do I," Irma said, her pretty face breaking into a large smile.

More Plus * It's a majestic miracle

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