"Sivaram worked tirelessly for the future of his much
beloved country"
By K.T. Kumaran
“No conversation is possible with anyone, such brilliance and savage thinking,
now there is no Sivaram” said Mark. P. Whitaker, Associate Professor of
Anthropology, at the University of South Carolina, in his speech at the memorial
service to commemorate late journalist D. Sivaram at the Rutgers University Busch
Campus auditorium. Saying that his “days have become pretty empty without his
friend of twenty years” and was thinking if there would be another late night phone
call that would come to say that his loss is not true. Professor Whitaker went on to
say that the memorial service offered him a chance to reflect upon what has
happened.
The memorial service began with the lighting of lamp aside a large portrait of late D.
Sivaram, by Mr. J.M. Rajaratnam, former President of Ilankai Tamil Sangam. The
audience also paid respect to Sivaram at the portrait. It’s to be noted that Sivaram
spoke at the same venue at Rutgers University in January of this year, in a Seminar
on Strategic importance of Sri Lanka.
Professor Mark P. Whitaker, who in the midst of writing Sivaram’s biography,
recalled how he first met Sivaram more than twenty years ago. While doing his
thesis for PhD in the East they met at the Public Library in Batticaloa. Both Sivaram
and he were borrowing Gilbert Ryles – Mind Philosophy, every other two weeks,
since that was the time limitation for a book. They were both intrigued by this
continuous borrowing by them every two weeks and one day Sivaram tapped on his
shoulder and saying, “Are you Mr. Whitaker, lets talk”, and that was the beginning
of the friendship between Sivaram and his biographer.
For Sivaram, Professor Whitaker says political activism had to include risks, and
otherwise it would be just play. He said Sivaram ridiculed at the notion of “politically
activist professors” in the United States. Sivaram claimed that they seemed to be
too naive.
In September 1995 when Sivaram first visited to the United States on USIS
scholarship, he slipped out of the guided tours to meet the poor, angry and
marginalized in the United States. He met Ethiopian refugees, African Americans
and labour activists. Sivaram was able to know all about the entire politics of South
Carolina, within a short period of time.
Sivaram, had the ability to grasp everything in a 700 page book quickly and relate it
as necessary, said Professor Whitaker.
Professor Whitaker added that Sivaram was too good for his job. He outlined in
detail of Sivaram’s qualities and understandings which contribute for him to ponder
“what a legacy”, of his late journalist friend. He outlined seven characteristics of
Sivaram:
1) An understanding of the end of the cold war complexities and how it would
transform Sri Lanka
2) An ear for the East and upcountry Tamils of Sri Lanka
3) The role of violence plays in modern states
4) Practical experience both military and political
5) Ability to talk to all people
6) His complex notion of what a journalistic professional is; even in pains of
death you can’t wave.
7) His dedication and justice for all Tamil people.
Sivaram was the ear for voices that otherwise would not be heard, said Professor
Mark Whitaker.
Prof. Mark Whitaker was introduced by Dr. Rajan Sriskandarajah, founder editor of
www.sangam.org. “Sivaram was the most outstanding Journalist Thamizh Eezham
ever produced” said Dr. Sriskandarajah. Recalling his first meeting of Sivaram in
Switzerland in 1995, Dr. Sriskandarajah said he listened to a presentation by
Sivaram about military strategies, in a conference organized by International Alert.
Sivaram’s comments were being repeated later by the Indian General Kalkat, who
was present at this conference, to Frederika Janz in a Sunday Times interview. Dr.
Sriskandarajah said the Indian general seemed learning military skills from Sivaram.
Dr. Sriskandarajah introduced Professor Whitaker, as who was "captivated by
Sivaram’s intellect", which then bloomed into their friendship.
Dr. N. Jeyalingam, President of the World Tamil Coordinating Committee speaking
at the memorial service paid tribute to late D. Sivaram for his writings and said, "As
the Tamil National Leader Mr. Velupillai Pirabaharan stated, while conferring the
title of "great man" to Mr. Sivaram posthumously, Through his writings, he brought
out the Tamil national question in the international arena with clarity and cohesion.
Diligently and cleverly, he exposed to the international and diplomatic community
the false propaganda undertaken by the Sinhala regime."
Dr. Jeyalingam released a Memorial souvenir and the first copy was received by Mr.
David Poopalapillai of Mississagua, Ontario, brother in law of Sivaram.
Dr. Patricia Lawrence, of University of Colorado also paid tribute to Sivaram at the
memorial service. “He inspired many at home and abroad, living fully and working
tirelessly in difficult circumstances for the future of his much loved country”. Dr.
Lawrence said. She added that Sivaram loved the eastern coastal region, and knew
every village and hamlet and the history of the people. Dr. Lawrence also recalled
Sivaram’s description of the "beauty of the jungle when it blossoms, and the magic
of the Batticaloa lagoon when his oar cut through the night water on the full
moonlight, creating swirls of glowing phosphorescence."
Speaking on getting to know Sivaram, she said “..helped me understand the
political dimensions of the conflict in the east coast of the island in the beginning of
the 1990’s, when I was engaged in PhD research in anthropology during those dark
years of mass disappearances and village massacres”. Dr. Lawrence said Sivaram’
s mother was a stately and courageous in character who was wonderful at telling
stories. She said Sivaram remembered his father’s sense of loyalty with admiration.
Dr. Lawrence said Sivaram had a strong wish that his children would receive the
best education possible.
Dr. Lawrence spoke of Sivaram’s cherishment of books and quoted from one of his
much loved books, Edward Fitzgerald’s Rubaiyat of Omar Khaayam;
“The Moving finger writes; and having writ
Moves on; not all thy Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.”
Dr. Oppilamanipillai, visiting from the United Kingdom also invoked Omar Khaayam
in his eulogy to his beloved cousin Sivaram, while recalling memories of childhood
and growing up together.
“Dreaming when Dawn's Left Hand was in the Sky
I heard a Voice within the Tavern cry,
"Awake, my Little ones, and fill the Cup
"Before Life's Liquor in its Cup be dry.".
lamp and paying tribute
receiving first copy of the
memorial book from
Dr. N. Jeyalingam
