Book Review:
Sandaruwan Madduma Bandara, 1999
"just another bomb blast - A Collection of Stories"
It is impossible to rise above the petty, but destructive differences that consume our society, without first realising its existence and then its profound consequences. We have never been a species that has learnt any worthwhile lessons from our historical mistakes. Hence, the prolonging of an age where no random person could be assured of a basic future of safety, food and wisdom.
"Just another bomb blast" is a collection of stories that will bite into the minds of all who read it for the simple reason that it speaks of the human realities of our country. And Sandaruwan Madduma Bandara does this exceptionally well. If the descriptions of passive and active demoralisation of an underestimated generation does not shock our sensitivities, it will at least make us think about that part of our lives which we take for granted.
The eleven stories that comprise this collection each have its own concerns. Even where it appears to thematise inequality and injustice it is actually on the whole a detailed illustration of the effects of ignorance in society - in the first instance. The more we listen to the thoughts of the main characters, the incessant undertone of the grimness that is inescapable for the average citizen can be heard. The voice bears a frightening matter-of-fact tone through various recognisable situations, but the reader is never allowed to move away from the fact that every character in each story no matter which side of the fence he stands, is a victim in some way.
The collection takes us through violence, which we might not notice anymore unless we read between the lines; the capitalising on parental anxieties of getting their children into "Big" schools; the sadly humorous differences between the priorities of the rich and poor, religious and cultural ignorance; the barbaric "ragging" rituals at University; teenage suicide attempts; and of course Love and the friendly frolics that almost complete the cycle of young adulthood. "Amawaka" is by far the best written of the stories in terms of style and content, while "Sarvashya Lochanam" is nothing less than brutal. The latter is a contrast to "Under the Bo Tree" which is soft-spoken and graceful while making some sharp observations on our beliefs.
This collection is not an entirely dark read. In fact it is possible for us to never reach the darker implications because the writer captures so much of the everyday scenes that we may not think twice about. On the other hand, there are two stories set in a foreign University, presumably drawing on the writer's own experiences, that combine a touch of wit and college humour with the adolescent "difficulties" that we all know about.
The Collection has been written during a span of nine years. It shows the development of Sandaruwan Madduma Bandara as an all-round young writer (he is now 24 years old), and an overall promise of better literary volumes to come. His style and familiarity will undoubtedly become a souvenir for those of our generation. It will recreate that tumbling bridge of understanding between our older peers and us. This is a book that we should all have the guts to read.
Melloshini Perera |
