The search for roots is the central theme in Martin Wickramasinghe’s writings on the culture and life of the people of Sri Lanka. He imaginatively explored and applied modern knowledge in natural and social sciences, literature, linguistics, the arts, philosophy, education, and Buddhism and comparative religion to reach beyond the superficial emotionalism of vulgar nationalism, and guide us to the enduring roots of our common national identity that exists in the folklife and folk culture of Sri Lanka...
Martin Wickramasinghe’s vision was primarily nurtured in the tolerant, humane, realistic attitude to life traditional to Buddhist folk culture. He valued the intellectual freedom and independence inspired by the Buddha’s ‘Kalama Sutta’ which he saw as a tradition to question tradition, not unlike the Western scientific attitude. Through his writings, he consistently opposed dogmatism, casuistry, elitism, and oppression in any form, be it cultural, religious, political or social.
His works have been translated and published in English, Hindi, Tamil, Russian, Chinese, Romanian, Dutch, German, French and Japanese languages.
the second book of Martin Wickramasinghe’s trilogy. The first book is ‘Gamperaliya’. ‘Kaliyugaya’ tell the story of what happened after piyal and Nanda got married. Was is it happy marriage? Was it filled with joy? It wasn’t..... ‘Kaliyugaya’ also reveals the story about piyal and Nanda’s three children and rest of the living members from both families. In my opinion both piyal and Nanda are failures as parents at some time. Piyal fully dedicated his time for the business while Nanda covered her true personality by imitating the modern city cultures. Both have forgotten how it is important to spend time with their children and try to understand their feelings. I see Nanda as a hopeless woman sometimes. She who have personally had gone through difficulties as a member of aristocratic family, yet she despise to leave those traditional thoughts and ended up thinking just like how her parents did as Someone who’s against to accept the changes of the society. ‘Kaliyugaya’ is a story that strongly talks about the importance of family relationships.
The book begins with a letter from Alan, read by Tissa to Nanda, as it is written in English. Piyal and Nanda and their children are now leading a typical Colombo City lifestyle. The most highlighting moment in this book for me is at the end , which made my eyes open to the fact , that no matter how driven, passionate Piyal was in the beginning as a budding buisnessman, he lost sight of the most important thing, which was, giving his unwavering love and attention to his children. He went after money , fame , social status along with Nanda. All they wanted to give their children was a good education, a good job in the government sector, get them married to a city family of equal status like a doctor or a rich man. To achieve that, he came home late from wok, to elevate his status, threw parties at home to the much displeasure of Anula and his own mother. Nanda with her ego and trying to imitate Colombo city folks , spoke to her own mother in law like she was a stranger, employed English speaking nannies to care for Alan and her children and showed so much irritation when Anula narrated stories of village life to curious little Alan.
Piyal should have formed a friendship with his children , specially Alan and Chandrasoma. This would have made them trust him more and think of him as a father figure than as a man who just provided them money for their education. If he bonded more with them without chasing to build his buiness empire , he could have prevented Alan from starting an affair or even leaving the country, and he could have prevented Chandrasoma from going astray. All Piyal and Nanda's children are people with good hearts but their parents never loved them as they expected. They wanted to see their own goals coming to fruit through their children.
Piyal face a sad end , where he regrets everything, looses interest in his business, and finally face the sad truth, that family life and his children's dreams and thoughts are as important as his. He failed to understand his children needed his friendship and love and attention as a father, and Nanda failed to understand, that her children needed her listening ear as a mother.
A perfect sequel to Gamperaliya although I would have loved to see Tissa married to a woman and leading a good family life, because he is the most sensible character in this series.
Second book of trilogy that make great Sinhalese Author greater, and looking forward for the third and its totally a gem that explain the culture that we had earlier.
This is a continuation of book Gamperaliya. I consider this as a masterpiece which highlights the Sri Lankan lifestyle and human during the urbanization of rurals. its a reflection of Sri Lankan literature and generalize the personal ego on the society.