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by K S Sivakumaran

One of the well known Lankan historians is K Indrapala. He now lives in Sydney, Australia. He was a lecturer in history at the University of Peradeniya for 15 years from 1960 t0 1975. In the University of Yaalpaanam he became the Foundation Professor of History in 1975. During 1977/78 he was a Japan Foundation Fellow and Visiting professor at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. And in 1984 he became the Foundation Professor of South East Asian Studies at the Thanjavoor Thamil University in Thamilnadu.

Two years ago Vijitha Yapa Publications in Colombo brought out a Revised Second Edition of his well documented research work titled The Evolution of an Ethnic Identity. The first edition was published by Kumaran Book House of both Colombo and Chennai.

The purpose here is to show some notes relating to Hinduism in early Lanka. In fact the book speaks about the Thamils in Sri Lanka C.360 BCE to C 1200 CE. What I am doing in this column is to gather facts from the book and retell them for the benefit of readers who may not be aware of the historical aspects of the Hindu religion.

* Saivaism clearly was one of the two main elements in the evolution of the Sri Lankan Thamils, the other being the Thamil language (P 225)

* The worship of Siva was prevalent in Sri Lanka from even before the mission of Mahinda in the 3rd century BCE(P 226)

* Soon after the invasion of the Choala emperor Rajaraja towards the end of the 10th century, a Siva temple at Padaviya was named as Ravikulamanikka Iswaram, after the emperor (P 228). The ruins of this temple are still there at Padaviya. The ruins of more Saiva temples have also been found. (P 228)

* Besides the temples of Matota (Maanthottam) and Gokarna (Thirukoanamalai), there were no doubt other Siva temples in the island. (P 231)

* Saivaism continued to be practiced in the Sinhalese kingdom. Saiva temples were venerated in many places predominantly settled by Sinhala Buddhists. Two of the most venerated temples dedicated to Siva were the Nagarisa kovil at Devinuvara and Munnisavaram temple at Chilapam ( Chilaw) ( P 291)

To know about the Saiva bronze sculptures of Lanka, please read Appendix 111 in the book ( PP 320-323) For inscriptions please read pages332 -338. Pages 342 to 402 are also must be read to know more about Lankan history and the importune of Saivaism in the country. In the same way notes on plates, and also the photographs substantiate the author’s balanced viewpoints.

Books such as this will also enlighten us about religions and history of the island. Hinduism and Buddhism are connected to each other in many ways. And all religions like Islam and Christianity (includes Catholicism) also stress the importance of spiritual values.

In a shrinking world remaining in watertight compartments may not help us very much. We must respect all religions while practicing one’s own religion.

ks.sivakumaran@yahoo.com

A slide presentation of Thirukoneswaram; and Thiruvasagam rendered by ‘Isaignani’ Ilaiyaraja and Bhavadharani, with Budapest Symphony Ochestra