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A King of Burma and the Sacred Tooth Relic
The following are excerpts of an article that appeared in the now defunct Sunday Times, in 1962 published by Times of Ceylon
Bayinnaung was one of the greatest kings of Burma and a,so one of the great patrons of Buddhism. He united not only the whole of Burma into a single kingdom but also conquered the whole of Indo-China and parts of China and India, thus establishing the Second Burmese Empire.He built a magnificent palace at Pegu and dazzled with his power and glory such hardened European travellers as Caesar Frederic, the Venetian, and Ralph Fitch the Englishman, who left to posterity glowing accounts of the Second Burmese Empire and its founder.
The Portuguese documents of the period referred to him with awe as Great Braginoco and he was the one oriental despot to whom the Portuguese of those days showed respect and consideration.
Bayinnaung came to the throne of Burma in 1552, the very same year that Dhammapala came to the throne of Kotte, already shaken by the ill wind of Portuguese power.
In the midst of his victories, Bayinnaung was perturbed by the news of the 'raid' on Kotte by the Portuguese Viceroy soon after Dhammapala came to the throne, and in 1554, he sent an embassy to Kotte to enquire after the safety of the Sacred Tooth, in the face of persistent rumours that the Relic was no longer in its Temple.
Tooth was safe
The embassy returned with the good news that although the Temple had been despoiled and damaged by the Portuguese 'raid', the Sacred Tooth itself was safe. Bayinnaung in 1555 sent back another mission, bearing gifts for the Temple.The mission included among its members leading craftsmen who were building his great palace at Pegu. Under the instruction of the King, the Burmese Ambassador bought a piece of land and donated it as an endowment to keep lights always burning in the Temple. The King also sent a broom made of his own hair and the hair of his chief queen to sweep the steps of the Temple.
The mission returned only after the craftsmen had repaired and re-decorated the damaged Temple.
The Burmese mission during its stay was royally entertained by the Regent Tammita Suriya who had lately replaced Vidiye Bandara, King Dhammapala's own father. Before leaving the Burmese Ambassador promised all necessary assistance to help the Regent defend the Sacred Relic and its Temple.
We now know from Sinhalese sources that by that time the Sacred Relic was no longer in the Temple, but the Burmese could not know that because it was a well guarded secret and it may well be that the Regent himself did not know. It was a period of stress and uncertainty and of conflicting rumours.
In 1560, a Portuguese ship arrived at the port of Pegu with the disturbing news that the Portuguese had captured the Sacred Tooth. The King learned from the Captain the following circumstances of the capture.
The father of Dhammapla and erstwhile Regent, Lord Vidiye Bandara, had arrived in Jaffna, fleeing from the Portuguese and had been killed with the result that 211 his treasures fell into the hands of the King of Jaffna, then the King of Jaffna himself had been captured by the Portuguese and among the treasures of Bandara was found the Sacred Tooth Relic.
Bayinnaung, after hearing the story, believed that the Tooth now at Goa was the genuine one. One cannot accuse Bayinnaung of being too credulous, because the Portuguese themselves really thought that the Tooth in their possession was the genuine one, and perhaps even some of their Sinhalese contemporaries themselves shared in this opinion.
After all, Vidiye Bandara was known to be a bold and ambitious man who would not hesitate to carry off from the Temple the Sacred Tooth, fully aware of the prevailing belief 'that he who held the Tooth would hold Ceylon.' Bayinnaung at once chartered the ship and loaded it with treasures assessed by the Portuguese to be worth eight lakhs of rupees at prices prevailing at that time, sent it to Goa with an ambassador with full plenipotentiary powers to buy the Relic at any cost.
Flying the Burmese flag of a golden Peacock on a white background, the ship arrived at a port near Jaffna where the Burmese Ambassador made further inquiries as to whether the captured Tooth was a genuine one. Fully satisfied of its genuineness, the ambassador proceeded in the chartered ship to Goa.
Bitter debate
The Burmese Ambassador met the Viceroy of Goa and asking for the Tooth, offered to sign, in addition to the eight lakhs worth of treasure brought on the ship, a contract in perpertuity to supply a shipload of rice, whenever necessary, to the Portuguese garrison at Malacca. The Captain of the chartered ship proved to be an eloquent advocate on behalf of the Burmese offer.The Viceroy whose treasury was almost empty at the time was very much interested, but unfortunately, the Archbishop heard about the matter and rushing to the vice-regal lodge, argued with him, pointing out that the main purpose of the Portuguese intervention in the East was to save the souls of its pagan inhabitants. The Viceroy, in return pleaded that within empty treasury nothing could be done.
The Viceroy, in fear of excommunication summoned his advisory council and for days there was a bitter debate between the priests and the soldiers.
The Archbishop and the other priests referred to the Sacred Tooth as 'that accursed thing', and they were of the belief that it had to be destroyed in full view of on-lookers, so as to demonstrate to all Buddhists that the Relic had no supernatural powers.
Tooth crushed
Finally, on an appointed day and hour, in the square before the great Cathedral, the Archbishop solemnly placed the Tooth in a mortar, ground it to powder and burnt the powder in a brazier. The brazier was taken to the river and the ashes cast on the waters.G. E. Harvey, in describing the scene, stated that the Burmese envoys had a look of horror on their faces as they watched the proceedings. In actual fact, the look was one of utter surprise because they were now sure that the Relic was merely a replica and not genuine. Harvey, with due sarcasm, also stated that according to the Burmese envoys, the Tooth had slipped through the bottom of the mortar, mounted up into the sky, flown 750 miles to Kandy, and alighted on a lotus there.
The Burmese as a race are sceptical of miracles, but as devout Buddhists, certain beliefs are ingrained in them and one of such beliefs is that no relic of the Buddha can be destroyed by any external agency. Just as a Buddha would die only a natural death. Therefore, the Burmese envoys were surprised to see the supposed tooth ground into power.
A suggestion
So the Burmese embassy sailed back to Burma, but on the way they touched at Kotte and suggested to their old friend, the Regent, that should disorders continue in the kingdom, the Tooth together with the Alms Bowl, could be sent to Pegu for safe custody. Dhammapala, by then had become a Christian but the Burmese seemed to have thought that he did so for political reasons only and he would always remain a guardian of Buddhism as his name implied.Historians have commented on the fact that Dhammapala, in spite of his baptism, remained ever popular with his people, and that was perhaps because like the Burmese envoys, they never could believe that Don Juan Dhammapala would ever be Don Juan rather than Dharmapala.
It may be mentioned also that the sole aim of Bayinnaung in endeavouring to procure the Tooth, was to save if for future generations of Buddhists to worship.
The ship finally reached Pegu safely in 1562 and the fact that this treasure ship could sale the Portuguese infested seas without molestation, testified how high was the prestige of the Burmese King.
Alms Bowl
In 1567, a mission from Kotte arrived, bringing with it a stone Alms Bowl which the mission assured was the genuine Begging Bowl of the Buddha, which had reposed together with the Sacred Tooth for many centuries. Bayinnaung showered the mission with rich presents.It must always remain a matter of conjecture as to whether the Alms Bowl gifted to Bayinnaung was the genuine relic or otherwise. The Sinhalese sources do not seem to mention this particular mission, let alone its gift of the Alms Bowl.On the one hand, one could argue that no Sinhalese king would part with such a priceless treasure. On the other hand, one could argue also that as Dhammapala was a devout Christian he did not value it much.
It may well be also that either Dhammapala or his trusted Tammita the former.
Regent and now the Chief Chamberlain, wanted the Alms Bowl to be taken to a place of safety across the sea from the scene of strife and struggle, especially as Colombo was now the capital.
There is one curious feature regarding this Alms Bowl: it disappeared from .public worship in Ceylon about this time and Sinhalese sources, including the Mahavamsa, suddenly ceased to mention it. Both Hocart and Geiger noticed this, and the latter commented thus:
'The Sinhalese Kings liked to keep the pladium of the Kingdom (namely, the Tooth and the Bowl Relics in heir immediate neighbourhood. It is remarkable how in the later part of the Mahavamsa the Pattadhatu - the Bowl Relic - is relegated to the back ground and how the whole religious and political interest centres in the Dathadhatu - the Tooth Relic'.
Nell's view
Nell in his 'Annals of the Tooth Relic' stated that during the troublous times at Kotte the Bowl Relic was for security secretly removed to Senkadagala (Kandy), just as the Tooth Relic was removed to Delgamuwa. However, he cited no authority for his statement regarding the Bowl.In any case, when Portuguese power had waned, it was only the Tooth Relic which emerged for public worship.
Doubtless Bayinnaung was approached by emissaries from other Sinhalese kings for assistance and in 1574, he sent another embassy to Dhammapala with the suggestion that the friendship between the two kingdoms be sealed by his marriage to Dhammapala's daughter.
In fact, Dhammapala was childless, but we do not know whether this fact was known to the Burmese.
In any case Dhammapala offered an 'adopted daughter' to be Bayinnaung's queen. The Burmese ambassador was overjoyed and made his preparations to return to Pegu with the supposed princess, but there was some delay.
Secret shrine
The venerable monks who accompanied the embassy expressed to Lord Chamberlain Tammita their burning desire to worship the Tooth before they left the shores of Ceylon. The Chamberlain took the Burmese monks and envoys to a place some distant from Colombo and under an oath of secrecy, they were one night ushered to a secret shrine and shown the Tooth Relic to worship.The embassy and the princess arrived in Pegu in due course, where she was accorded the highest honours and inducted as one of the three chief queens. Learning that the Tooth was still with Dhammapala, Bayinnaung sent back the embassy in haste with much treasure and with the request that the Relic be gifted to him.
After obtaining the Tooth Relic from Tammita himself, the embassy returned to Pegu in 1576. The arrival of the Tooth was a joyous occasion for the King and the people of Pegu. Bayinnaung received on his head the Sacred Relic, and surrounded by the vasal kings of his empire and his lords and ladies, he led the procession round the city.
Then the King enshrined the Alms Bowl which he had kept in a temporary temple in his palace and the Tooth in the great Mahazedi Pagoda. However, another Sinhalese mission arrived in great haste, this time, from the King of Kandy. The mission asked for Bayinnaung's help and assistance for their King to conquer Colombo and punish Dhammapala and Tammita, whom the mission accused of treachery and - insult to Bayinnaung for palming off a common maid-of-honour as a Sinhalese princess and a piece of the horn of a stag as the Sacred Tooth.
Despondent
'Great King' announced the Sinhalese ambassador 'our master has a real daughter and also the genuine Tooth'.But Bayinnaung was not interested, and saying that in the Burmese viewpoint only Dhammapala was rightful King of Ceylon, dismissed the embassy courteously but curtly.
Bayinnaung continued to extend his friendship and partronage to Dhammapla and in the great siege of Colombo during 1579- 81, he sent his crack regiments consisting of Burmese, Mon and Siamese veterans to the beleaguered city.
In 1582, Bayinnaung died and the son who succeeded him proved to be a great soldier but a poor administrator and soon in the far-flung marches of his dominions.
Kinglets and Viceroys began to plot and on the high seas, the Portuguese began to wonder whether their dream of empire should cover Pegu after all.
Then Siam and the neighbouring provinces declared their independence, and even the Burmese provinces and Toungoo in Middle Burma and Arakan on the western sea-board, became kingdoms on their own.
When news came from Ceylon that Wimaladharmasuriya who became King of Kandy in 1592, had brought the Sacred Tooth Relic from Delgamuwa and had installed it in a specially built temple, in the corridors of the great Pegun Palace itself, then dared to express their doubt as to the genuineness of the Tooth enshrined in Bayinnaung's great pagoda.
When further news came that Wimaladharmasuriya had invited emission of Burmese monks from the new Kingdom of Arakan to worship the Tooth Relic and also to re-establish the Buddhist Order in Ceylon, even those who belonged to the inner circle of the King of Pegu felt weary and despondent.
Finally in 1600, on an appointed date, the armies of Arakan, Toungoo, Siam and a Portuguese adventurer by the name of Phillip de Britto converged on Pegu from all four directions and after a great siege, conquered it.
Executions
As the Portuguese the Siamese and the soldiers of Arakan were busy looting the great palace of its untold treasures the Toungoo army quietly slipped out of the city to the Mahazedi Pagoda five miles away, and breaking it open, took away the Sacred Alms Bowl and the Tooth Relic to Toungoo where they were enshrined in another pagoda.De Britto who had made himself King of Siam was impaled, and thousands watched him suffering in agony until he died three days later.
All the surviving Portuguese including De Britto's queen herself were sold as slaves. Arakan submitted and escaped lightly because Anaukpetlun appreciated its action in sending the mission of monks to Kandy.
On his way back, Anaukpetlun broke open the Pagoda at Toungoo and took away the Alms Bowl and the Tooth to Ava, where they were re-enshrined.
His successor, Tharlun (1629-48) thought the Pagoda was not magnificent enough and sent his craftsmen to Ceylon to study the dimensions and the structure of the Maha Thuparama Dagoba at Anuradhapura.
These craftsmen on their return built at Sagaing across the River Irawaddy from Ava, a full-sized replica of that Ceylon Dagoba, which came to be known as 'Kaunghmudaw' or that Royal Deed of Merit'. In that magnificent pagoda, the Alms Bowl and the Sacred Tooth have reposed up to the present day.
Tailor bird - the sartorial enigma
By Godwin Witana
It is beyond imagination that this tiny ball of fluff, the size of a Ping Pong ball has the ingenuity to devise a home for its brood by velding the seams of three or four leaves of a tree forming a cosy cup lined with soft down and silky cotton. The ever active Tailor Bird, whose stunning voice with a sharp note is heard even at a distance, hops from branch to branch, feeding on tiny grub, the larvae of insects and worms not visible to the naked eye of man. If you put your finger inside the hollow of this nest you will feel that it is lined with soft substance for the chicks to live comfortably and in warmth. These nests are situated close to the ground and are so camouflaged that they are inconspicuous resembling any other twig of a tree. Because they stitch the leaves so elegantly with their rose tinted small beaks they are called 'The 'Tailor Bird'. First of all it very ingeniously punches holes along the seam; of leaves with its beak and sews together the leave thus pierced with fine strings of cobwebs forming a cup or pouch. No one teaches a bird to build its nest. It is an ability they get through instinct. These birds live in pairs and each pair maintains a territory of their own and if an intruder happens to invade it, knowingly or unknowingly, the male would attack such invador and drive it away. They feed throughout the day and bathe by rubbing their bodies on dew drops and water spread on leaves during rain.They breed throughout the year. The female lays two or three eggs and are hatched by the female. When the chicks appear they are constantly fed with the grub of insects and worms by both the parents. They will grow up huddled together in the cosy nest until it is time to fly off within the wary sight of the parents. When the chicks are fully grown and can fend for themselves they are let out of the nest. When they come out they are almost the same size of the parent birds but more nimble. Birds learn to find their food by following their parents. They also learn to sing copying their parents.
Bird watching is a fascinating hobby in which both young and old can indulge in. If you want to watch birds at arm's length and in clear focus you should arm yourself with a pair of binoculars. Bird life enlivens the environment and is a delight to one and all, hence the establishment of Bird Sanctuaries in every country in the world to propagate and conserve bird life. Imagine 'your garden devoid of these god given feathery creatures, nature's gift to man, the atmosphere will be dull and melancholy. The presence of birds with their gorgeous colours sun set sweet songs and their different habits are a constant pleasure to behold and cheer you up. If you wish to attract birds into your garden, plants that bear flowers with nectar like hibiscus, the ixora family and the plantain flower together with a Jam tree that bear luscious berries the whole year round should be planted in your garden. The number of birds in a well planted garden in Colombo's suburbs are many. They are the Mynah, Parrot, Babbler, Coppersmith, Drongo, Magpie, Golden Oriole, White Eye, Babbler, Bul Bul, Sparrow, Crow Peasant, Finches' Ash Dove' King Fisher, Green Barbut, Wood Pecker, Tailor Bird, Honey Sucker, Cucoo and the migratory Paradise Fly Catcher. While most of the above mentioned birds are visitors to the garden, there are those who make it their permanent abode, build their nests and bring up young ones. Among them are the Magpie, Bul Bul , White Eye, Babbler, Honey Sucker, Ash Dove and the Tailor Bird. The Babblers are a very interesting group of birds, usually found in groups of seven called Seven Sisters and they look very innocent.
They are a cooperative lot even in respect of building a nest, brooding the eggs and in feeding the young. Not only the parent pair take part but all jointly and collectively partake in these tasks. The Honey Sucker builds its dangling nest under the eaves of houses about six feet from the ground and maintain it for several terms to bring up the young. The nests are made of dried leaves cemented together with cobwebs and the nest is moulded in an elongated shape with an open door over which is a protruding sunshade to protect it from rain. The inside is explicitly packed with down and slippery cotton. The fledgelings are naked at birth: with unopened eyes. They are helpless at birth but gain feathers at a furious rate. While feeding them constantly the adult birds do not select the chicks but stuff food to the closest mouth at the opening of the nest. No two birds build identical nests.
A pair of Ash Doves made a crude nest at a point on my verandah wall below the roof, both parent birds taking turns in tucking and pushing dry twigs and dry grass. After the young ones appeared both parents started feeding them thrusting their beaks into mouths of the young, regurgitating their half digested food. They produced chicks consecutively on three occasional using the same nest. The original pair still visits my garden. The Magpie usually makes its nest in the hollow of a tree. There is a pair of Magpies which has put up its nest in the opening of a four inch S-lon pipe that hangs under the roof of my house. This place is very safe from predator birds as the Magpie could venture far inside the hollow of the pipe to build its nest.
The pair of Magpies in my garden seems to have declared my garden as their territory for they would not tolerate any other magpie intruding into their domain. Early in the morning and late in the evening, you would see the male Magpie perched on a vantage position on a tree and blast its shrill notes for everyone to hear, perhaps warning others of its kind not to enter into their territory or sometimes it may be advertising its maleness to any prospective male. Singing becomes somewhat aggressive when another male is in hearing distance. Each bird has its distinctive song. I have noted that birds who build their nests on branches of trees are unable to protect their young ones every time they hatch. Often have I seen a Shrike or Kurulu Goya run away with the young of Bu1 Bul, Babblers, and White Eye, who used to nest in my garden. Small birds scurry for cover at the sight of one.
The Cukoo and the Peasant Crow too indulge in this game when the parents are helpless. The Shrike in a bird of prey and death to many lesser birds. Food habits of birds are different. Some feed on nectar of flowers and on ripe fruit. Some hunt after insects while the rest feed on grain. When White Ants get feathers and fly in swarm to the sky, it is a sight to see birds sweep on them feeding to their heart's content, especially the Drongo, who has very long and pointed feathers, they quickly turn and twist in the air like acrobats, in finding its prey. Birds find refuge for the night under the canopy of branches, huddled between leaves. To avoid the cold of the night they puff up their feathers and chuck their heads under the wing when they look like balls of cotton. If you watch the sky in the morning and evening you would spot birds fly in their numbers to the feeding grounds and returning back in the evening for roosting.
It is too early to see birds in flight early in the morning as they go before sun rise but the return trip to their homing grounds in the evening is a common sight. Crows in clusters return pell-mell inland after foraging on feeding grounds and garbage heaps in the towns. Parrots return home in waves consisting of a dozen or two at a time. They show frightening speed in flight. The flight of these birds can be compared to school boys rushing out from their class rooms on hearing the bell at close of school. The Parrots resemble the running helter skelter.
All water birds fly back home in the evening in formation led by a senior male. They are the stork, Egrets, Teel, Pelicans and Ducks. Then White Egrets and Cranes fly in the evenings, the rays of the sun falling on their bodies make them look golden. You very often see Painted Stork, Hawks and Pelicans glide in the sky without the slightest movement of their wings. The Cuckoos do not build nests but depend on the crow to hatch their eggs and bring up their young. The Cukoo sneaks in and throw out the Crow's eggs and lays its own there. The ignorant Crow broods the eggs and bring up the young until the chicks grow up but finding they are not of their own throw them out. Birds love bathing.
They bathe several times on a warm sunny day. One way to attrack birds into 'your garden is by providing a 'Bird Bath' and providing them with food. A round cement recepticle, that are usually placed under flower pots to drain excess water, when placed on a stand would amply suffice as a Bird Bath. The food like Budgery seeds and ripe fruits and plantains could be placed on another place for them to feed on. Grain eating birds such as Finches, Sparrow and Ash Dove will relish the seeds while others such as Mynah, Bul Bul, White Eye, Babblers and Magpie would enjoy the fruit.
It is easy to place both trays close to the house and for you to watch them bathing and feeding from your arm chair. The Finches, both black and white and the brown spectacled come in dozens and bathe at a time. Before the birds jump into the water in the bath and bathe splashing their wings, each one has a sip of water may be to test whether the water is safe for bathing.
It is amusing to see bigger and strong birds pecking the weaker ones and driving them out of the bath . When the bigger birds have finished bathing the smaller ones get their chance for free bathing. After bathing they settle on a branch closely and preen their feathers with their beaks until they are dry.
Litle known books on Ceylon - 8
SonaharBy P. F. Ariyananda
Sonahar - A brief history of the Moors of Ceylon was written by J. C Van Sanden and published by Van Sanden & Wright of York House, York Street, Colombo in 1926.The book is dedicated to Sir Solomon Dias Bandaranaike, Maha Mudaliyar and Extra A. D.C. to H. E., the Governor of Ceylon.
A vast subject has been condensed into 125 pages, and to justify his action the author begins the book by quoting E J Handy for the sheer logic and beauty of this passage it is reproduced below in full.
'The fact that in so limited a book on so large a theme everything cannot receive equally full treatment, may excuse the tit-bit style of some of it. One of the best arguments against vegetarianism is that if we were bigotted vegetarians we would have to eat too much. Our brother; the ox; and our sister; the cow; are good enough to consume cart-loads of grass and hay and give them to us in the form of concentrated food. On the same principle a writer deserves some little credit who browses over some acres of books, in order to serve up a dish of steaks which may prove nutritous and not tough'.
The first four chapters deals on diverse topics such as the name 'Moors' a Misnomer - Absence of information regarding early history - The Arab Empire of the first century - Adam's Peak - Knox's Testimony 'Vathimi Kumaraya' the Martyr of Etagala - Arabian Trade with Ceylon - Moors Inland Trade with the Sinhalese.
Chapter five; six and seven deals with Moors of the Thirteenth Century - Arrival of the Salgama People - Vasco Da Gama - Decline of Arab Power- Arrival of the Portuguese - Portuguese Commercial Enterprise - Lorenzo de Almeida - the Ceylon Moors Resists landing - Destruction of a Mosque.
Chapter eight, nine and ten describe; The Cross Vs The Crescent -Yongalie Episode - Sinhalese and Moors attack the Portuguese - The Akurana Moors - Religious Persecution by the Portuguese - Arrival of the Dutch - Laws of Oppression - Commercial Jealousy - The Battal- on of the Moors.
The last four chapters deal with such topics as Ceylon ceded to the British - A Regime of Freedom - Rajakaria - Moorish spies - Thamby Mudaliyar's Detachment - The Vellasy Moormen - Major Hook's Expedition to Hanwella - Annexation of the Kandyan Country by the British - The first Moorish Notary Public - Moors permitted to own property in the Fort and Pettah - Education - Language - Dravidian Wives - A Beruwala Tradition - Hambantota - 'Marakalayas'
Finally the last pages describe the meaning of the word Sonahar which is said to be the Vernacular equivalent for Cylon Moor.
by Sita Joseph de Saram
We were seated on the terrace of the hotel watching the dancers in their devil masks doing their tourist ritual. That was how the talk turned to exorcists and talismans. Of course, there were the believers and the non- believers, and numerous incidents were being related. Suddenly Ranjith, who had been silently gazing out at the sea, said, 'Well, I can tell you a true story of what happened to a friend- actually the girl I might have married.'This was news to all of us, so we pressed forward eagerly, besides, Ranjith was a good raconteur.
'You may remember my childhood friend Kumar..this was when we were about eighteen years old and his sister Sumi just three years younger'
Ranjith's eyes seemed to be fixed on some distant scene.
'Their mother died when Sumi was born and their father, always remote, retired to his private world leaving the children to be cared for by his sisters. Kumar, who had never known a mother's loving embrace, turned all his affection on his sister. If she fell and hurt herself, she would run to him and he would stroke her head and try to soothe her pain in his childish way.. 'Nangi, don't cry, nangi,' he would say. We were neighbours and always played together, so Sumi had two squires to fight her battles for her.
Once when she had been ill with a fever, an old relative had brought the talisman. We stood around while the 'kattadiya' chanted some gibberish and hung it round her neck, swearing that it would protect her from evil all through her life.
Young and sceptical as we were, we would scoff at the thing and tease her sometimes. 'Why not get the talisman to do your sums?'
Then her face would pucker and tears would well up in her eyes. We knew then, that she really believed in it, so we left it alone and even forgot about it.
I watched her grow through childhood into a slim girl of fifteen, her delicate beauty like a blossom about to open. Now she did not run to us so frequently, though we were still boon companions. In their sitting room was an old phonograph and a pile of records which we would put on, on a rainy day, so that she could dance round the room gaily saying, 'See, I can turn six times without falling...' and she would pirouette like a prima ballerina. Sometimes I would accompany them to their house in the country and we would take the phonograph along. We would tramp together among the coconut trees and Kumar would teach us the names of the birds and how to recognise their calls.
It was on one such trip that the dreadful chain of events began - events I will remember to my dying day... It was a particularly hot morning and Kumar and I were sprawled on armchairs on the verandah.
'Hey, Nangi, why don't you put on some records'
Sumi was coming out of her room. 'I'm off for a bath. After lunch, maybe..' She flung a towel over her shoulder and tripped lightly down the path followed by the ayah carrying a pail and coil of rope.
We felt deliciously relaxed. Lunch would be ready soon....the buzzing of the insects lulled us to sleep.
The sudden clanging of the bucket woke us up. We saw Sumi returning from the well. She was looking down and seemed to walk a little slower. She came up the steps and walked past us lost in some kind of reverie.
'Hey, what about lunch,' said Kumar 'Father should be coming any minute now,'
In a low voice we could barely hear, she said, ' I have a headache. I'll eat later '
She went to her room and closed the door.. Kumar's father had just come in, so we stood up and walked to the table.
Suddenly a scream rent the air, then another and another. They came from Sumi's room. We ran and pushed open the door, fearful of what we might see. Was it a snake, perhaps? What could make her scream like that ?
Sumi was cowering on the bed, her face distorted with terror. She pointed to a corner of the room -'There it is....there...there' she said in a hoarse voice 'Can't you see...he's coming for me...' She covered her face with her hands and sobbed and screamed alternately. Kumar went up to the bed and tried to soothe her. Her body was hot with a raging fever.
'There's nothing there, Sumi..' He even went to the corner and waved his arms about.
But already a nameless terror was creeping into our hearts. This was not the lovely girl we knew, but a horrible stranger who stared wild-eyed as if she had never seen us before. Kumar tried to put his arms round her but she pushed him away with a strength far greater than her own. Thus began the terrifying experience of seeing her being gradually taken from us. Whom could we ask for help? Could the priest in the temple tell us what to do ? Our young minds which had only just begun to explore the infinite world of the spirit could not even formulate a request. .
The fever never left her. For five days we stood by helplessly. It was always the same. She would start up and look with terrified eyes at a corner of the room and scream 'There he is...send him away...send him away...' She would eat no food or even drink a sip of water.. On the fifth day some neighbours, convinced that the girl was possessed, brought in a 'kattadiya' to drive away the evil spirit. The man they brought was a Malayalee well known for his exorcisms. His dark body was as thin as a skeleton's and to our fevered imagination there was something not quite human in his face. Kumar, his father and I, stood aside while everyone rushed about getting things ready for the necromancer , who had assumed a powerful role.. A chicken was charmed-and brought into the room. If there was an evil spirit, he said, it would enter the chicken which would then run out of the room and the girl would recover.
But strange to say, each time the bird was shooed out it would come back and creep under Sumi's bed. The 'kattadiya' shook his head and did nothing.. The next day exhausted with shrieking, Sumi turned her head to the wall, gave a long sigh and lay still. Her fragile body had succumbed, unable to battle with forces seemingly too great for any human effort.
When the ceremonies were over, we walked to the funeral pyre and watched the flames begin to lick the wood ever higher and higher.. Our hearts were too stunned for grief. Kumar knew he was going to be alone for the rest of his life. As for me, my unfulfilled dreams were reduced to ashes. The next day we walked behind Kumar's father, to retrieve her ashes. It was then that we saw the thing glinting in the morning sun. Kumar picked it up, still warm in his hand. It was Sumi's talisman, slightly charred, the string nowhere to be seen. It was supposed to protect her and ward off evil.. to bring her luck...but it had done none of those things. We looked at it lying in Kumar's palm and then looked at each other. We both had the same thought. I nodded. Kumar clenched it tightly in his fist and raising his arm flung it away with all his strength. Vaguely we felt that by throwing the talisman away we had exorcised the evil from Sumi's soul.' Ranjith stopped speaking and we sat silent. Somehow the little episode had touched all of us.
Then he continued, 'you know, Sumis'delirium was diagnosed, much too late, as a virulent symptom of meningitis. So much for exorcists and talismans'.
When France met Sri Lanka on Early Buddhist Art
By Gamini G. Punchihewa
Recently France met Sri Lanka in an international seminar on Early Buddhist Art (Gandhara And Beyond-Central Asia, India and Sri Lanka). The seminar was organized by the Department of Archaeology and the French Mission of Archaeological Co-operation in Sri Lanka.Objective
The objective was to discourse archaeological matters pertaining to the chequered history and iconography of Gandhara art which had its impetus on Central Asian, Mathura and Amaravati schools. Consequently the Buddhist Art of Sri Lanka was influenced by such Gandhara art.There are two vital links which played prominent roles in pursuing archaeological research into these aspects of Gandhara art which in return had its impact on ancient art of Sri Lanka, as well. These two links have been joint partners in achieving these objectives. One hails from our own country, namely the Excavation Section of the Department of Archaeology, headed by Dr. W. Wijapala, Director, the other being the French Mission of Archaeological co-operation in Sri Lanka. Both these missions have had joint participation in the exploration of archaeological sites around Ridiyagama southern province Ñ Ruhuna Rata (close to Ambalantota), Pilapitiya (Kelaniya), and Narigama (Chilaw).
Associated with this international seminar were the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Hiriyama Fellowship of Silk Roads of Asia of UNESCO. The Sri Lanka Ñ French joint archaeological mission had its beginnings in 1994. It has been headed by local counterparts in the ilk of Dr. Wijepala and Dr. Osmund Bopearachchi who are the co-direcors of the French Mission of Archaeological Co-operation in Sri Lanka. As Dr. Siran Deraniyagala is the Director-General of the Department of Archaeology, he too graced this grand occasion of this international seminar.
Eventful occasions
This international seminar had been set up to coincide with two eventful occasions reminiscent of Sri Lanka's chequered history, and that of early Buddhist art of Gandhara. One coincided with the 50th anniversary of Sri Lanka's Independence, while the other was the crowning of 100 years of research on Early Buddhist art of Gandhara spearheaded by Alfred Foucher, the illustrious but celebrated French scholar and architect of Central Asian and Indian Buddhist art. This international seminar was graced by distinguished scholars drawn from fourteen countries. Papers on the respective topics were presented by professors, academics and the like drawn from abroad and Sri Lanka.The welcome address was delivered by Dr. Osmund Bopearachchi. Among the foreign and local delegates who contributed to the success of this seminar, Dr. Osmund Bopearachchi, mentioned those of Dr. Francine Tissot, Dr. Elizabeth Errington, Messrs. Sirisaman Wijetunga, Daniel Rathnapulli, Udayanga Amarasekera, N. A. Wimal and the Hon. Minister of Cultural and Religious Affairs, Lakshman Jayakoddy who inaugurated the seminar and addressed the gathering as well.
A small booklet titled 'International Seminar on Early Buddhist Art', edited by Dr. Osmund Bopearachchi, Dr. W. Wijepala, and Siri Saman Wijetunga, Asst. Director of Archaeology, was presented to the audience at this seminar. It contained speeches, and addresses made by foreign delegates and other local counterparts of Sri Lanka.
Key note speech
The key note speech on Gandharan Art was delivered by Dr. (Mrs.) Francine Tissot. The father of Gandharan Art was a French scholar by the name of Alfred Foucher. Alfred Foucher had left no stone unturned in trekking those hard terrains, moors, hills, dales, of North West Frontier Province, covering north of Maradan and Peshawar, the Malakanda Pass and Kyber Pass in quest of the origins of Gandharan Art. Foucer died in 1952 after writing his masterpiece monograph on Gandharan Art. Dr. Francine Tissot (Charge de Mission, Musee Guimet, Paris) was a faithful savant of Foucher. Dr. Francine Tissot had too blazed those trails trekked by Foucher in her dire search for the roots of Gandharan Art.Prof. Lolitha Neharu Head of the Department of the History of Art, National Museum Institute of Art, Conservation and Museology, National Museum, New Delhi also spoke. Another trotter on the trails of research into a silk wrapper around the regions of Kashmir, Tibet, Mongolia was Dr. (Mrs.) Laure Feugre who briefed the gathering on a paper titled 'Some Remarks on a silk paper'. Dr. Laure Feugre, is the Charge de Mission, Musee Guimet, Paris.
The address which focused attention on our much well known archaeological artefact reminiscent of Lord Buddha's Sacred Foot Print-Buddha Pada was delivered by Prof. Anna Maria Quagkiotti, Professor, Department of Asian Studies, Institute, Universtario Orientale, Naples. This paper was titled 'Representation of Buddha Pada in India and Sri Lanka.'
Rising in the rolling downs of Pallekelle...
An academic institution of excellence
By Carl Muller
The short swift way to the Tennekumbura Bridge is no longer, thanks to the heavy security concerns that have marred the beauty of the city. The most 'pleasing prospects' of Temple and Lake have been cut off, and, to travellers out of Kandy... (like that old song)... it's 'Come on, baby, let's twist again.'So twist again it is - around the lake: five-sixths around - always most annoying, until you can point your nose towards the Lewella road junction and savour the pleasure of the beautiful drive to Kandy's Industrial Park, past the many Army institutions and a countryside as green and as happy as Kandy is sour-faced and labouring under a deep sense of barricaded dejection.
Tyres whisper on the broad road and the morning air is like fresh toddy bubbles, and set deep in the Industrial Park is the old Trinity College Agricultural Institute complex, now discarding its old kimono of neglect, busy dressing itself in fresh new clothes. By the end of this year, it will emerge, a bright new butterfly, to be the Trinity-Western Michigan Institution of Higher Education, a commitment to quality academic programmes and facilities, creating new tertiary opportunities in the Central Province.
Too long, we have heard of the gripes: Education, some say - and that includes politicians too (who will say anything, anyway) - is not creating the people who can some day steer the ship. The unemployed graduate is today a new and sorry class. The system has stuffed their heads with non-applicable and the extraneous. Like snails on lettuce, they get nowhere, very slowly. It is now being said with increasing conviction: this country needs education that swings open the batwing doors of opportunity, offering a rich diversity, creating the proud citizens of tomorrow.
For some time, the Board of Governors of Trinity College, Kandy, had acknowledged this. There was an urgent need for better - no, the best - provision of tertiary education opportunities in the Central Province. No one will gainsay the University system here. We have Peradeniya and the Open University as well as certain technical facilities. Yes, the 'climate' of education wafts the hills. Yet, why then should the mood of disgruntlement prevail? Why must so many A Level students find so many hurdles in their path?
That there is a mass of unexploited talent is undeniable. Flowers keep falling on the wayside, are trampled underfoot, hopes squashed, and there is this sense of depression that turns quickly to anger and an abiding bitterness. It is as though minds are suddenly subjected to a surgical stunting and all we have a bright young people who turn to the more dubious ways of life and living. A social dilemma of crass proportions.
It was some time ago that the Trinity Board decided to tackle this issue... and the sanest way was to ensure that talented young people be given the opportunity to forge ahead. These youngsters deserved the involvement both in education and campus life; to be a part of the rich diversity of people and ideas; to avail themselves of quality. They needed an environment that reflects the commitment to education of the type that would offer -
Openness and personal attention;
A high calibre of faculty;
A focusing on the future;
The making of citizens who would carry this country forward - key players who will contribute to national growth and wellbeing.
I stood at the large stone at the entrance to the Trinity Agricultural Institute. Babblers broke out of the scrub like awkward, big-bellied bombers, to regather on a slope and wax indignant. The country spread itself like a jade trousseau, and mynahs telegraphed each other from patches of 'piduli'. Everywhere, trees nodded leafy heads - heavy-coiffeured margosa, patch-work- bark 'Burutha', mango and tamarind, golden acacia flaunting yellow pennants and the wide- spreading 'Mara' bellying up out of the parkland.
Abey Ekanayake, that wonder-man when it comes to ''all things bright and beautiful', manages much of the land here. He's a tree lover, nature lover, environmentalist and is now tied in with the Lanka Ayurvedic Herbal Medicine Research (Pvt) Ltd., ready to lay down many medicinal trees, plants and herbs. He is doing the landscaping, clearing the scrub, attending to the necessary landfills and, as he says, will soon be fencing the extent of his operations that was given to the the Trinity-Western Michigan Institute of Higher Education eight acres of lush parkland, shaded walks, the true embrace of nature that will be as a spiritual balm to glowing minds.
I stood with the 'movers' - the men who are working with a will to get it all into shape. Durand Gunatilleke is the electrical wizard. Sherard Mendis. Secretary, Trinity's Board of Governors, nods and nods and takes notes. He's the 'Thy will be done'! man. Others are project supervisors and overseers, suppliers, and of course, there is Bill Campbell who can best be called the 'make it all happen ' men.
From the skirting road, the old Agricultural Institute complex is imposing and inviting. Below, in the gentle undulations of green, power lines trace long rotorball lines between the trees. A wind makes a half-hearted velvety sound and, from the administration building one sees, melting gray-blue, the Hunnasgiriya ranges, smoky in the distance. Rising behind the administration block are the classrooms, presently able to house over 200, while to left, to right, and even above, there is room for extensions as and when needed, extensions that can occupy a further four acres when necessary.
All this became a reality when the Trinity Board appointed a Tertiary Education subcommittee to get the ball rolling. Promenent businessmen and academicians came in. Chandra Wijenaike pumped in his business expertise. The proposal was, to say the least, exciting. Anyone will tell you that education is today; a major growth area in this country. In looking for the best, the Sub-Committee developed, in collaboration with the Western Michigan University, USA, a university-level education institution that would be wholly relevant to the needs of the new millennium.
As Bill showed me around, I could envision what 1999 could bring. The Institution will open with the Western Michigan BBA programme - a degree course. Also, it will offer a one-year Diploma Course in Computer Studies and a preparatory programme for the WMU degree for those who wish to upgrade their competency in English and get in line for the degree course. This latter programme is up to two years but flexible, taking student performance into account.
'There will be up to three semesters a year,' Bill said; between deciding whether walls should be painted marble gray or willow gray, 'and each semester will cover 15 weeks of class time.'
The Institution is owned and operated by the Trinity Tertiary Institute (Pvt) Ltd., a Sri Lanka registered company in which shares will be held by Trinity and various other educational institutions as well as the investing public. Indeed, there is much international interest already. Sherard Mendis said that letters of inquiry have also been received from major educational institutions in Australia and England as well.
It is easy to see why Western Michigan University was found ideal for the true twinning' concept.
It had worked with huge success and for over a decade at WMU's Malaysian associate, Sunway College, Kuala Lumpur. The very pith of WMU's programmes can be judged from its 'manifesto':
To discover, disseminate, extend and preserve knowledge; To generate new ideas and to address social needs and concerns; To create opportunities for learning, living, leading and friendship; To nourish creativity, to foster excellence across a spectrum of endeavours; To be more than a university - to be a community; To seek meaningful exchange, to prize diversity and strive for a global perspective.
As it is' WMU has over 1700 international students with a student body of over 26,000. There is a Haworth College of Business, a College of Arts and Sciences, a College of Education and a College of Fine Arts. Beginning with the BBA, one sees how much the Trinity-Western Michigan institution of Higher Education will be able to contribute to the business needs of this country. Programmes will include Accountancy, Administrative Systems, Advertising and Promotion, Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, Economics, Finance, Food Marketing, General Business, Industrial Marketing, Insurance, Integrated Supply Management, Management, Marketing, Public Administration, Real Estate, Retailing and Statistics.
WMU is ranked among the best 100 national universities in the USA and among the top 100 'best buys' in American public higher education. Also, it is the only Doctoral 1 institution in the State of Michigan. As I learnt, the first two years of the WMU curriculum will be conducted here, followed by the next two years on the WMU campus in Michigan. This means that there will be a considerable saving (as much as 50 percent) in the foreign exchange required for a full course since half the course is accomplished locally. The local quantum cost will be competitive with other institutions here that offer similar programmes.
'How much?' I asked, and was told that it would be no more than around Rs. 8350 per month or about a lakh a year, with the books depending on what classes/courses are taken. What is more, it is hoped to use the goodwill of the large foreign-owned factories in the Industrial Park (mostly engaged in the manufacture of computer accessories and components, etc.,) to give students access to 'practicals' and the many state-of-the-art processes in manufacture, as well as in business administration, promotion, marketing, etc.
The institution will be co-educational and non-residential. There is little problem as regards the latter since travel is not onerous and there is opportunity to find residential accommodation in nearby Digana, Balagolla, Pallekelle, Kundasale and Kandy.
Just the year-end to see through... and for the 'movers' there is much to do. And it will be done, however high the investment. It is a Trinity pledge to offer real-term education for a country that needs the best human material ever for the 21st century. Here, in this wonderfully natural place, kissed on one side by the waters of the Kundasale section of Victoria, where the mornings are misty and the birds sing with vigorous delight, will a new breed of young men and women move in, then go forth, then return to give to this country its muscle for the future!
The significants of international product standards
By Namini Wijedasa
Competing in the global market today is no easy business, especially for the smaller players in the field. And according to some Sri Lankan entrepreneurs, new developments in international product quality requirements are now threatening to hit the small and medium industries sector further by acting as non-tariff barriers.Many of those who express concern in this area quote such international standards such as the ISO9000 series. They note that, not so long ago, it would have been sufficient for a producer in a Third World country to send a potential importer in Europe a sample of his product: the importer would normally decide on whether to order a consignment based on the quality of that sample, whatsoever the risks of it may be to himself.
Not so - or less so - today. Today, most importers in industrialised nations (who may or may not have been our 'traditional' markets) are more finicky and promise to get finickier in future. It is no longer enough to send across a sample and hope for the best. Businesses are finding it more advantageous than ever to produce evidence of certification from an international standards organisation that the product they hope to supply is consistent in quality - the key word being 'consistent'.
Director General of the Sri Lanka Standards Institute (SLSI), C. D. R. A. Jayawardena, explained the significance of ISO9000. He noted that it is not actually a standard for a product or service but for a management system. 'Industry includes three stages: input, processing and output,' he simplified, 'However, if the process is not properly managed, the output will not be of quality. Awarding an ISO9000 certification is a recognition of a well-managed process'.
For any company to get ISO9000 certification, there has to be commitment from the top level management of the firm, normally in the form of a policy decision. Implementation of recommendations laid out by the ISO9000 certifying bodies follows. This embraces training for employees, control of documents and formulation of a coherent documentation system. The services of consultants may be sought for this stage. Subsequently, the company is subjected to an internal audit. The body who awards the ISO9000 certificate (one of the recognised local bodies is the SLSI) conducts several 'examinations' before they give the go-ahead. If certain elements do not meet with their satisfaction, they can ask the company to make the necessary changes.
According to British standards expert, B. Thornley (who was in Sri Lanka last week), having ISO9000 certification demonstrates to customers that the management system of a company has been assessed by an external body and declared of international standard. It also ensures that the product or service that is produced by the company is consistent and does not vary in each batch produced or each task performed. It promotes confidence that an importer or customer will not be cheated - either wilfully or unwilfully.
The more quality conscious markets at present are said to be Europe and the United States. Many European and US businessmen have already begun to show preference for companies with ISO9000 certification. But standards experts note that it would hardly be safe for local companies to go on the basis that only these two major players will continue to demand evidence of internationally accepted standards.
The experts point out that the overall trend shows a worldwide thrust towards international standards certification for products as well as management systems. They feel it would soon be necessary for all businesses aspiring for a niche in profitable international markets to reorganise themselves. They anticipate a scenario in which, to survive, a business would have to shape up and conform to standards requirements laid down by the potential importer. If they don't, they may be left out in the cold.
The question to examine would be how these rapid developments will affect our own producers - with particular emphasis on the small and medium enterprises. Director General of the Sri Lanka Standards Institute (SLSI), C. D. R. A. Jayawardena, noted that it is important for local businessmen to grasp the significance of the issue at hand and prepare themselves - if they intend to succeed in the export trade. 'There is not enough awareness about the growing importance of standards and of obtaining international standard certification,' he lamented.
Mr. Jayawardena also pointed out it may be necessary for the government to offer assistance to the Sri Lankan small and medium enterprises in order that they may upgrade their operational systems (and, thus, products) in keeping with international requirements. As it stands, there is no assistance given to the sector in this area - neither is the obtaining of standards treated as a priority area.
President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL), Patrick Amerasinghe, was in agreement with Mr. Jayawardena that assistance is vital if the small and medium sector is to compete in the world market. The multi-national firms and larger companies, he said, can afford to upgrade their systems and support the burden of consultation fees leading to the eventual granting of certification. On the other hand, small and medium enterprises have already been finding it difficult coping with the current pace of globalisation - another problem on their plate may be one too many.
Mr. Amerasinghe also displayed a certain antagonism towards the system of international standards imposed by international markets (with emphasis on Europe), maintaining that they were being used as non-tariff barriers. 'They are being used as a form of protectionism, in order that Europe may close their markets to Third World producers and exporters,' he claimed. It is significant here to note that about 30% of Sri Lanka's exports are to the European Union.
Of course, international standards certification is not compulsory. A company may or may not opt to get an ISO9000 certificate. Ultimately, however, it is all a question of comparative advantage and international credibility. According to Mr. Thornley, among other advantages are improved efficiency within the company due to the superior management system and reduced chance of prosecution due to higher quality of product. Meanwhile, insurance costs are also likely to be less. All this notwithstanding, international markets will demand it in future.
Another international standards expert who was in Sri Lanka for a seminar earlier this month confirmed some of Mr. Amerasinghe's suspicions. Chairman of Premier Assessments Ltd (a company in the United Kingdom qualified to assess companies and award ISO9000 standards to those companies that satisfy requirements), Alan Bartlett, told The Island that a number of companies in the UK used standards to reduce their suppliers in times of hardship. 'Some of them decided they will make more demands from their suppliers in order to reduce them and so cut down on supplies,' he said.
There are, however, two sides to a coin. Even as some local producers may feel the West is imposing tough standards to cut them off, most Europeans feel they have a right to ask for the best. Head of the Delegation of the European Commission in Sri Lanka, Ilka Uusitalo, told 'The Island' that European consumers are naturally conscious of and concerned about quality. 'European consumers require certain standards and if Sri Lankan producers want to compete in the world market, their products have to fulfill those standards,' he stressed.
Mr. Bartlett, too, explained that importers have the privilege of protecting themselves against damaged and inconsistent goods. One method of doing it has become the production of an international standards certification such as ISO9000. There are firms who have the certificate - so why not take the safer option. As far as the European market is concerned, it is the responsibility of companies to upgrade their systems. It is not the responsibility of the importer to downgrade their requirements to accommodate those enterprises who have do not conform to international standards. The latter has, after all, to consider the customers that make up their own markets.
Mr. Bartlett, who is also chairman of the US-Sri Lanka Business Council, said there are presently 60 to 70 Sri Lankan companies with ISO9000 certification, adding that the figure is on the increase. Speaking on opinion that the small and medium sector will eventually be isolated due to the expense of obtaining certification, he pointed out that Sri Lanka may follow the UK trend whereby larger companies started out with getting certification and smaller companies followed suit.
The emphasis, then, has to be on companies streamlining their enterprises and managing their businesses with the aim of obtaining standard certification. Small and medium enterprises who wish to stay in export can hardly excuse themselves of standards on the basis that they cannot afford to expend money or time. This is especially important because foreign importers, be it in the West or elsewhere, are more likely to choose certified companies over others when combing the market for suppliers. In these times of economic hardship, one has to be extra careful where one is investing one's funds.
Review
The Watermill players - truly a professional performanceThe evening entertainment began even before the show started. The Watermill players were quite a part of their audience right at the onset of the plays, opening car doors, singing and dancing for them.
Soon after the Theatre Company had completed their very warm welcome, they got right down to the serious business of cracking up the whole audience with laughter while they gradually worked upon them the magic and enchantment of the renowned Watermill players. The Sri Lankan audience were able to witness absolutely spectacular humour as well as excellent acting on Wednesday and Thursday when 'The Comedy of Errors' was performed in Colombo.
Not only the players' performance but also the inconspicuous way in which the actors moved the props around the stage made these nights at the Lionel Wendt highly entertaining. 'The Comedy of Errors', a moving tale of relationships, the losses and gains of companionship and family was portrayed by this troupe of geniuses in a captivating and convincing manner causing the audience to get completely immersed in the drama.
During the interval, too, the actors did not rest from their performance. Out among the crowds they at once proceeded to make themselves completely at home by singing and dancing for the onlookers.
The second half of the play aroused as much interest and enthusiasm as the first had done, when the players began to unwind the whole plot of the story still producing spills of laughter from the audience. The female characters which were portrayed, while justifying the intention of creating ridiculously emotional women deceived by the appearances of their lovers and husbands, could be lauded as brilliantly played by the gentlemen of the Watemill Theatre Company. The characters of the two Dromios at once won the whole audience over as they, right from the beginning of the play, physically and verbally enthralled them. Finally as the plot unveiled and the characters of the play were reconciled to each other, the audience too were visibly moved. Propaganda of this comedy which had the audience in stitches all the way, assured those awaiting 'Henry V' to be staged on Friday and Saturday as well as in Kandy on Sunday, that their wait would be worth it. Yet, they underestimated the Watermill Theatre Company again.
'Henry V', one of Shakespeare's more tedious and lengthy plays, was brought to life and performed through the eyes of a group of squads. This particular performance in which the characters were portrayed closer to modern times was nothing less than captivating. It conveyed the universal message of Shakespeare, even the very workings of war, in a convincing and subtle manner.
A great deal of off stage drama that took place at the performance of 'Henry V' was successful in creating an atmosphere of war times when soldiers under pressure make life threatening decisions. The adrenalin, on these occasions, was not pumped into the systems of the actors alone but the audience too were eagerly concentrating on the drama, not wanting to miss a single line or expression. Spectacle, an important aspect in this performance was created marvellously at times through showers of tennis balls and brilliantly portrayed battle scenes.
The Watermill Theatre Company's promise of getting the audience involved in the drama was fulfilled when in the course of the second act the actors storm upon the audience and requested them to leave the theatre. To the astonishment of the already bewildered spectators, the audience was led to the compound of the Girls Friendly Society building next door to the Lionel Wendt and a considerable content of the play was staged there among the audience upon makeshift platforms. The audience which had by then surrendered themselves to the unpredictable performers, let themselves get easily caught up in the scenes which followed. Inspite of the light drizzle and the lack of seats, the audience was simply mesmerized by the extent of feeling and drama which pursued from King Henry V and the other French and English officers. This particular scene complete with high tech equipment such as cellular telephones and computers, soon led the way to a short interval at which these young men of the Watermill Theatre Company possessing great amounts of stamina and will power, began to relax the audience with a series of enjoyable folk songs.
The famous scene where Katherine, the French princess is educated in English terms by her maid using a Collins' dictionary while taking a bath, was simply hilarious. The audience got easily involved in this scene mostly for its' captivating effect and not merely because they were instructed to call after Katherine by the players, in the hope of achieving this very effect.
Soon after the audience transported themselves back to the theatre, they were able to witness more of the mixture of emotions that are commonly experienced in war. This emotion very clearly came through to the audience when King Henry delivered his soliloquy. The honour, trust, valour, anger and grief of the stressed and tired soldiers was most convincingly portrayed in a scene where the English and French confront each other. The grief and thunderous anger expressed by each side at the loss of their men was so absolutely moving that one could almost identify oneself with the characters portrayed.
The very last scene between the English king and the French princess managed to tickle the entire audience once more.
Those who were fortunate enough to share in the Watermill experience remain appreciative today not only of Shakespeare alone, but also of the chance to witness a truly professional performance by a highly skilled group of actors that managed to do great justice to 'the Bard' by bringing the rich meaning of his art alive to them.
