You left an indelible mark not just on your family
Jean Arasanayagam, my mother, passed away one year ago on July 31.She left behind many precious memories especially reflected in her books as well as in the lives of her family, friends and students.
She was one of Sri Lanka’s most prolific and eminent writers but never lost the common touch. She was essentially a writer, teacher/lecturer and social activist who used her writings to highlight various issues and conflicts both in Sri Lanka and abroad. As a Burgher she was always conscious of the realities and ramifications of colonialism, postcolonialism and hybridity in a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural context.
Her love for her country played an important role in her decision to remain in Sri Lanka despite the fact that she and her family were adversely affected by the ethnic disturbances of July ’83. Travel however, played a predominant role in her life and she felt that she was representing her country as a writer in many conferences abroad. She was a lecturer and writerin-residence at the University of Exeter and she once told me that she put Sri Lanka on the map when she lectured on creative writing and Sri Lankan literature to many who came through storms and cataclysms to hear her read her poems in places like Cornwall. She was also basically a historian who analysed the realities of colonialism in our country.
She also reached out to the marginalized and was proud of the fact that she held writers’ workshops in Bristol jail for prisoners many of whom had committed violent crimes but were being rehabilitated. She felt greatly for the plight of marginalized groups in our country including animals who suffered in captivity.
She was very fond of her students both at St Anthony’s College, Katugastota and also the English Teachers Training College in Kandy. Many of her students who passed through her hands occupy pivotal positions both in their careers in Sri Lanka and abroad. My mother reached out to everyone. My mother also enjoyed directing plays and dramas both at St Anthony’s and the English Teachers Training College. She was essentially a very simple person who needed only a C.R. exercise book and a pen to write her poems, short stories, novels and prose.
My mother was also our mentor and guide and I remember her going to Kandy to bring us storybooks and novels during our childhood and teen years. She introduced us to British, American and postcolonial literature and would enjoy reading her poems to me on quiet evenings in our house in Kandy, my sister being abroad for many years.
My mother was also a devoted and committed Christian and believer in world religions and would valiantly attend church services in the Methodist church Kandy. She was also a great optimist and always saw the positive side in any situation. As a Christian myself and a believer in other religions too, I believe that my mother and I, including my family will be reunited with her in paradise. She will never be forgotten for the impact she had and role she played in my life. May she be blessed and remembered forever.
Paru Arasanayagam