Short reviews of books by Muslim writers
by K.S.Sivakumaran
Former Minister A. H. M. Azwer in my perception is a trilingual interpreter, speaker,
writer, broadcaster, commentator, actor, bilingual writer and humanist. It's not his
politics that interest me, but his large-heartedness in appreciating others whose
contributions remain unsung, unwept and un-earthed that makes me feels for him.
One example: He has published through a Thamilnadu publisher (Manimekalai
Prasuram) Manithan Maa Manithanaka (Man as a Great Man), a book of writings by
the late S. I. M. A. Jabbar. The writer's articles collected in this book were originally
published in the Colombo Thamil news weekly Navamanai for 231 weeks. May I add for
the record that yours truly was the pioneer editor in chief of this paper which is still in
circulation? The present editor is Alhaj M. P. M. Azhar, who was a leading Lobby
correspondent for the Virakesari.
Well, what is this book about? There are 21 chapters in this book. But what do we
know about the writer? Jabbar started writing since 1948 and wrote prolifically in the
1960s. He has written 241 radio plays, 16 musical features, and 23 programmes under
the title "Ooduruval" (Penetrating Through) and had given more than a hundred radio
talks. The writer was born in Kalpitty in the Puttalam district. The Puttalam Young
Graduates Association published his play "KampoliKonda Kavi" in 1997. This man
Jabbar had worked in the police, customs and plantation and education sectors. He
was involved in politics too in 1981. He had received many appellations and awards,
the highest being "Kala Booshana" (I wonder by what criterion the State gives this
appellation to people, understandably to those who deserve it” is it by its choice or by
advertising themselves to the "powers that be"?) Jabbar died in 2004.
Interesting reading, the book includes Alhaj A. H. M. Azwer's appreciation of Jabbar
and his writing.
A. A. M. Fuwaji's Book
An educationist from Matale (School Principal, Teacher at the English Language
Teaching Unit of the University of Peradeniya), Alhaj A. A. M. Fuwaji has authored four
books in Thamil and been honoured several times by various institutions. He too is a
"Kala Booshana" awardee. The book he has written in English is titled "Portrait of an
Educationist: Mr. A. Z. Omerdeen” Thus has he Served". This book is on the author's
teacher. A retired High Court judge, A. A. M. Farook has written the foreword for the
book.
I liked this passage from the author's introduction: "`85let the present generation at
least, change this and begin a new culture by looking at the contributions of the
people positively and by recognising these contributions, though they may not be
spectacular. Such an approach may act as an incentive for people to serve`85 let us
teach our children to remember and honour, lesser men and women too, if they had
been of some use to the community in some way."
This 184 page book with photographs has ten chapters of interesting material
covering the career and contribution of the subject the author has attempted to
portray. This book is not only a biography of an important personage but also a record
of events pertaining to Matale and its residents.
This could be a source book for researchers.
Two magazines by M. Y. M. Meeadhu
Another Kala Booshanam is M. Y. M. Meeadhu from Mawanella. He edits an art,
literature and educational magazine called "The Learner's Digest" and a Thamil
magazine called "Kalai Malar". The author is also a retired school principal and
contributes articles, poems and the like to newspapers both in English and Thamil. He
is also a publisher of books.
The second issue of the English magazine details what the purpose of this
enthusiastic editor is:
"My objective of publishing this English magazine is to bring into the forum a variety of
world literatures for analysis and digestion to delve into the philosophy of each
literature produced by each cultural group`85 What I would like to promote is to use
English as a medium of appreciating foreign languages and literatures."
The issue carries some interesting articles that could be informative for young readers
in particular. Reeza Lathief's article with a long title is one example. She is talking
about teaching literature and the new methodology in teaching. There is also a brief
history of English culled out from the Webster's Encyclopedia.
M. Y. M. Meeadhu's "Kalai Malar" of September 2005 is a special issue on Zahira
College, Mawanella. There are some interesting articles and short stories as well in
this issue. There is an introduction to a Sinhala-Thamil translator in Sabragamuwa”
Mohammed Raazuk.
The editor is also an author.