Poet and lawyer Mervyn Casie Chetty takes a walk down memory lane

A directory of legends laced in vivid poetry

By Mihiri Wikramanayake

He was once an all-too familiar figure in his little Baby Austin driving on the busy roads of Colombo. But now this 85- year-old inimitable poet and lawyer, Mervyn St. Sebastian Casie Chetty, stays home to reminisce about his past glories with expressive stories and fond memories.

I, as a young girl, remember him vividly from his frequent visits to the house of my late grandfather, Eric Bird Wikramanayake. They were great buddies. EBW called Mr. Casie Chetty "Comrade" for his political affiliations and he referred to my grandfather as "Gov'ner" in respect for his elder status. Ever since, I have felt it a privilege to 'know' this great luminary.

Though age may show on his slight frame, Mervyn Casie Chetty's mind is still as sharp as a razor. He remembers every detail of face, and fact of each story precisely. His library is a treasure trove of pictures and plaques of his past and credentials to his name. He is a directory of legend and each story is laced with poetry and verse of apt description. A doyen, indeed, of the old brigade.

Most people would know Mervyn Casie Chetty best for his constant contribution towards poetry that appears in the media. He published a book of his collections called "Rhyme and Reason" in 1988.

However, many more recent poems remain unpublished due to the lack of sponsors and cost of publication.

"When I need to express myself, the medium I find most concise and expressive is verse," he says.

Many a politician or satirical figure has been 'criticized' in his poetry.

"It gives me great satisfaction to know that I have offended them," he chuckles.

He quotes Alexander Pope,

"Yes I am proud,

I must be proud to see,

Men not afraid of God,

Afraid of me…"

His other bio-data is too vast to accommodate here. He has been in and still holds many a valuable post in many committees and societies.

But his contribution to the Bar is of great significance. Mr. Casie Chetty was felicitated in 1999, for 50 years at the Bar although by then it actually amounted to 62 years.

He was also guest of honour along with retired High Court Judge, N. de Jacolyn Seneviratne, at a dinner of the Voet Light Society of Sri Lanka.

This, too, in honour of his completion of 50 years at the Bar.

Mr. Casie Chetty, reminisces about his life at S. Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia. He recalls a "bully of a teacher who failed me in physics and chemistry thereby forcing me to choose Arts instead of Science."

"This master expected me to attend extra classes in those bleak December misty mornings while our Cambridge exams were on," he remembers. "It was absolute torture. I gave up and followed the Arts stream," he said. That led him to join Law College and his career in the legal profession was born.

Many years later, he holds many an exalted position due to his prowess in the legal field. He has represented Sri Lanka at the Law Asia conferences, been a Member of the Bar Council, Member of the Disciplinary Panel of the Bar Association, Vice Chairman of the Compensation Tribunal and Member of the World Peace Council. This is just a drop in the bucket. As an alumni of STC Mt Lavinia, he now holds the esteemed positions of Hony. Life Member of STC, Mt. Lavinia, Past President of the Old Thomians Swimming Club for two terms, Hony. Sec. of the Old Thomians Tennis Club.

He remembers fondly that great Prime Minister of Ceylon, Sir John Kotelawela, with whom he spent many a happy time.

"Sir John would come to the Mt Lavinia Hotel to swim at least three times a week," he says. He had two horses brought along with him and while he rode one, a guest would ride the other. After the ride, the hotel would have laid out three chairs for him and his guests and there was many an occasion when I would join him for lunch.

"While we jumped into the water for a swim, Sir John's driver would be standing on the beach with a wristwatch to time our swim for exactly ten minutes," he laughs.

"He was a fine host and I had many entertaining evenings at his home in Kandewala," he recalls.

Mervyn Casie Chetty is critical of the changes and attitudes in society of this day and age. He despairs that money has become the root of all evil and that even in the arena of sports, money overcomes patriotism. He is also concerned about the religious fervour that seems to overcome people.

"Times have changed for the worse," he says. "We have been given an overdose of religion. People must leave religion alone and then society may benefit for the better.'" Mr. Casie Chetty still maintains a daily morning walk. After a long illness some years back, he has to now depend on the use of a walking stick and finds it difficult to keep in touch with all the societies and committee meetings.

He keeps himself busy reading and doing some notarial work. He is looking forward to turning 86 in the second week of October.

In closing, Mr. Casie Chetty added these lines, "I stride with none for none is worth my stride...."

More Plus

Return to the Plus Contents