A poetic rendering of poignant memories

Book Review

Title – ‘Mage Iridawa’ (My Sundays)
Author – Neil Wijeratne
A Suriya publication
Reviewed by Lynn Ockersz

Well known Sri Lankan writer Neil Wijeratne is at his poetic best in this collection of memoirs contributed by him over the past few years to some local Sinhala newspapers. Titled “Mage Iridawe” or “My Sundays”, the collection could be described as a celebration of life and the positive energy the book generates in the reader is one of its most striking features.

In these articles Wijeratne captures Sri Lanka and India in all their splendid and unique aspects and there is no doubt that “Mage Iridawe” will be hugely welcomed and read with great interest by admirers of the two countries which have a multiplicity of things in common. Wijeratne has an undying interest in sports in general and in cricket in particular and his desire to connect with India’s sports activities, besides its social and cultural life, account for his untiring travels in that remarkable country.

Along with Wijeratne’s lyrical prose style, his acute powers of observation and his insights into experience contribute towards elevating “Mage Iridawa” to a class of its own in contemporary Sinhala writing. It will prove irresistible reading for those who are intent on finding out more about Sri Lanka and its people, besides familiarizing themselves with the variety of life India presents.

Wijeratne has an infallible sharpness of eye for capturing the minutest details of everyday life and for describing them with vivid clarity. Coupled with these capabilities is his empathy for those who are considered ordinary people and their simple and charming lives. Whether it be descriptions of the major cities of India, such as, New Delhi, Calcutta or Mumbai or those of the suburbs of Colombo, such as, Hendala or Maradana, these capabilities of Wijeratne amply manifest themselves. The same is true of his treatment of principal Sri Lankan cities of the likes of Anuradhapura and Mannar. Whether it be places of interest in India or Sri Lanka, Wijeratne has it in him to enter into the spirit and life of these areas and to express these dimensions in a Sinhala that is most evocative.

For example, there is our writer’s description of women carrying water pitchers on their heads in rural Chennai. There is perfect order at the village water tap. One woman sedately follows the other to the tap and fills her container and once this chore is done, the women get back with the same decorum to their homes in an unbroken queue. They balance their pitchers on their heads with the utmost meticulousness and care and ensure that even the rhythm of their bodily movements is maintained. Besides, their raiment is eye-catching. Very rightly, our writer describes the scene as worthy of a picture post card.

Most unforgettable are also the word pictures our writer creates of busy highways and sidewalks of New Delhi and other Indian cities. There are unforgettable characters in the metropolis, such as, the roadside barber and milk seller who ply their trades with the greatest flair and innovativeness. They are veritable institutions on these major cities’ highways and their services are found to be essential by most passers-by. The nimble beggar maid of these cities is another personage to watch. Come rain or storm she is at the traffic lights and would glide from one row of traffic to the other within the blinking of an eyelid to capture any alms on offer.

Equally charming and unforgettable are Wijeratne’s descriptions of his home town Hendala and other towns and villages of Sri Lanka he was fortunate to visit. Most of these descriptions are evocative of a largely peaceful way of life where contentment reigned, although our writer does not flinch from focusing on the blemishes of those who peopled these habitations. But there are unforgettable, colourful people, such as the boastful boatman who plied Hendala’s canals, the frisky female fish vendor and the “Master” who directed choirs during the period of Lent in villages, who could be considered as contributing effervescent spice to local life. Besides, Hendala’s Sunday fairs and connected events are bound to make the reader pine with nostalgia for times when people were content with life’s simple joys and were not ruled by over-ambition or greed.

Cricket, local and international, forms the subject of a considerable number of articles in “Mage Iridawa”. The writer does justice to the most recent developments in cricket and dwells graphically on the more larger-than-life personalities in this sport. Thus, “Mage Iridawa” possesses a multi-dimensional appeal that is bound to win for it notable appreciation among Sinhala book lovers and other interested sections. The collection has all the potential of becoming a “must read” among them.

Equally commendable are the cover design and graphics in this book which speak of an exceptional skillfulness and artistry in those responsible for its production. These illustrations greatly enhance the book’s value.