187 pages - Published by MV
Publications, P.O.Box 5317 Chullora, New South Wales, Australia 2190
* indicates link to
Amazon.com
bookshop on line, also available at
Eelam Store
[See also by the same author -
Sri Lankan Tamil Nationalism - A Study of its Origins
and
Tamils in Sri Lanka -
A Comprehensive History (C.300 B.C. - 2000 A.D.)]
Review by Ana Pararajasingham at the launch of the book on 24th
December 2005 [see also M.Thanapalasingham -
இடையறாத முயற்சியே தவமெனப்படுவது
]
Before I begin my review of this publication, I think it is only appropriate
that we reflect on the significance of the study of history. History as we
know is something we all posses as individuals, as families and as a people.
To a large extent, history defines who we are. It gives us that sense of
identity.
It is claimed that if we do not learn from history we are doomed to relive
it- mistakes and all. It was once said of the French Royal Dynasty, the
Bourbons: “They learn nothing and forget nothing” implying that history, at
least to some, had taught very little. But then I have also heard it said
that 'The present is the past rolled up for action and the past is the
present unrolled for understanding" suggesting that history is a powerful
force in shaping our existence as individuals and as a people. History as we
understand is often the version of a past that reflects the bias of the
historian. Hence that well-known quote attributed to Winston Churchill that
“History is written by the victors”.
This brings us to Dr Gunasingam’s book and its significance and relevance to
us as a people. The fact is that a comprehensive historical account of the
Tamil people in the Island of Sri Lanka is yet to be written. True, there
are certain specialised areas, which have been studied in detail by scholars
of the calibre of Arasaratnam, Pathmanthan and Ragupathy. Then there is
the
recent publication by Dr Indrapala tracing the evolution of a Tamil identity
in the Island of Sri Lanka. Indrapala perhaps comes closest to meeting this
need for a comprehensive account. Having said that there is no denying that
there is much more to be researched, probed and explored.
As Dr Gunasingam mentions in this book there are number of reasons for this
state of affairs. The major reason is of course the lack of archaeological
studies carried out in the Tamil homeland. This is largely due to the
restrictions that Tamils faced as a marginalised, persecuted and
discriminated group. This hampered original research being undertaken. It
was also because many of the primary sources that are invaluable to
researchers had been destroyed inadvertently or deliberately. Some of you
may recall that a deliberate destruction took place within our living memory
in 1981 when the Jaffna Public Library home to many rare manuscripts was
burnt down.
Many of the primary sources relating to our history are held by our past
colonial masters in their libraries and national archives in Britain,
Holland, Portugal and even the US.
I think it may be worthwhile pondering why colonial powers tended to capture
the history of the people they conquered by taking away their artefacts,
recording and reinterpreting their history. According to Edward Said, the
Palestinian intellectual, this is the very nature of conquests. You conquer
a people by conquering their history and their past. In effect you colonise
their minds as well as their land. This is very true when it comes to us-the
Tamil people of the Island of Sri Lanka. Those who have sought to rule over
us or have in fact ruled us have told our history-in their words.
Dr Gunasingam's book is an attempt to rectify this state of affairs by
enabling our history to be researched and recorded from authentic sources.
In his book Dr Gunasingam presents his findings. It involved locating,
identifying and recording the primary sources. It was surly a challenging
task. As a historian and a librarian, Dr Gunsingam had the unique skill set
that enabled him to carry out this immense and rewarding assignment.
His quest took him to Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu, Portugal, Holland, the UK and
the US. He admits that he found it ‘extremely difficult to discover
particularly useful primary sources in Tamil Nadu’. In Goa despite
difficulties, he had some success. He found evidence that Cankilli’s
daughters were taken to Goa by the Portuguese and the eldest daughter became
a Catholic and married into the Portuguese Royalty. Dr Gunasingams says
‘That Cankilikumaran was taken by the Portuguese to Goa would now appear to
be a historical fact’
In Portugal itself the author appears to have had some real measure of
success in locating primary sources. These include sources concerning the:
• Death of Pararasa Sekeran
• Expulsion of the Jaffna Royal families
• Religious conversions
• Exodus of the Jaffna people into the Vanni
• Portuguese settlements in Jaffna
And many others.
In the National Bibiliotheque in Lisbon he found original 17th Century maps
of Ceylon.
In the Netherlands, Dr Gunasingam came across ‘an enormous quantity of
valuable primary sources relating to Sri Lanka and especially to Sri Lankan
Tamils’. This included an account depicting the fierce spirit of
independence displayed by one of the Vanni chiefs- Kaila Vanni.
Dr Gunasingam also identified a significant number of primary sources in
Britain at the British Library in the section allocated to Indian & oriental
collections. At the Bodelian Library in Oxford, he discovered a doctoral
thesis by M H Peter de Silva that sheds light on early Tamil settlements in
the central province.
His research in Britain involved several other places including the
libraries at the University of Cambridge, Royal Commonwealth Society Library
and the National Archives in London
Dr Gunesingam’s quest had also taken him to Paris Germany and Switzerland
where he located primary sources. In Switzerland for instance he discovered
complete copies of documents from the International Tamil Archives based in
Kandy in Sri Lanka.
Even though the US did not colonise Ceylon, Americans were in Ceylon to
promote the Christian faith among the locals-particularly the Tamils. In the
course of their stay which was largely in the Jaffna Peninsula considerable
amount of documentation occurred. Many of which, the author discovered in
Boston
Of course, Dr Gunasingam’s book is not a mere catalogue of findings. It is
interspaced with history and anecdotes, which make the book an interesting
read as well.
What impressed me most about this book is the dedication and focus of the
author who despite almost insurmountable odds undertook a mammoth task and
succeeded in it.
His role has been that of a guide to future historians, who, can now be
expected to embark upon the task of recording the authentic history of the
Tamil people in the island of Sri Lanka.
As we Tamils of Eelam stand at the threshold of establishing a state of our
own, Dr Gunasingam has accomplished an enormous feat to consolidate our
national identity as a people.
I salute Dr Gunasingam and his enormous drive to accomplish something of
immense national significance. He will and should be remembered as a pioneer
who had paved the way for historians of the future.
Almost a century ago C W Thamotharampiilai had cried out in pain concerned
that our heritage was being lost as ancient manuscripts were being destroyed
through neglect.
‘Gentlemen are you not concerned that these manuscripts are wasting away? Do
you not realise that Tamil is your mother? Do you feel proud about not
having a sense of national religious or linguistic pride?
Gunasingam had answered this call by acting with a single-minded dedication.
Let us do our part by buying the book reading it and most importantly
encouraging the next generation to continue what Gunasingam had begun.
