I have been to Sri Lanka only once.
And I hardly spent four hours there.
So, my experience in Sri Lanka is next to nothing.
Many years later,
I read the story, ‘Kadugannawa, a note on a journey’.
Everyone knows that most of MT’s stories have an autobiographical element.
But this story compels us to feel that
he speaks here of a personal experience, a part of his own life.
Wafting over the Thaannikkunnu hill
And over the banks of the silvery Nila river
O come to me, my lonely dreams
As you wander continually over my mindscapes
Wafting over the Thaannikkunnu hill
[Flight announcement]
In the 37th year of my career as a journalist,
my friends and colleagues organized a celebration.
Quite by chance,
the same day, I had a call from Srilanka.
A conference for journalists from all over the world…
and my role was to present a paper there.
My journey was at a time when the horrors of war
still filled the air.
There are not many countries in this world that I have not visited.
But Srilanka, this is the very first time.
There’s a reason for this.
[Flight announcement]
[Indistinct chattering by the passengers]
Venugopal.
Nice meeting you, Sir.
- Give me the bag. - It's okay.
Come.
[Indistinct radio broacast]
[Speaking Sinhalese]
Sir, the programme’s at 4 O'clock.
You have some time to rest.
Kadugannawa…
How far is it from here?
It’s about 89 kilometres.
Why Sir?
Kochunni Ettan, my older brother…
where in Ceylon does Father live?
Kadugannawa.
What?
Kadugannawa. That’s all you need to know.
Kadugannawa…
Ka-du-gann…
I was able to meet some old journalist friends from the US and Europe.
They seemed impressed by my presentation
At least, they said so.
They are gentle people,
still devastated by the war
The main conflict’s in Jaffna.
That is the headquarters, right?
Tomorrow,
I’ll go to Kadugannawa
Goodnight. Catch you later.
Sir...
Normally, state guests like you prefer Kandy or monasteries.
You’ve chosen a tiny town, Kadugannawa.
Why, Sir?
I have reasons.
My father had worked there for a long time.
I may get to see a relative.
What kind of relative, Sir?
That was really good.
Where’s Ramankutty, our neighbour?
I heard he’s in Thrissur
- And his farming? - Not so good, they say
Amma, he’s come.
I saw him.
Who’s this now!
Father’s little one is all grown up!
What news of Kunjikrishnan?
His letter says that he’ll be here for the delivery
- And this is… - The 7th month
Ah, give them this.
Did you come on the morning train?
Yes.
The train was so crowded!
Not a spot even to stand in!
Once the war began, everyone decided to leave.
Who is this child?
She lives near my house.
Her mother died of an ailment.
A few days later,
her father was killed by a bomb.
The locals brought her to me.
I felt I could not abandon her there.
She’s a little girl, after all.
You asked about relationship?
My sister...
Leela.
Have some more.
Enough, enough.
Take it away, then.
Some sweet payasam…?
Enough.
Children, have you nothing to read or write?
Eat.
Ammalu, did that child eat anything?
Yeah, just a little.
It will be difficult for her to get used to our ways.
- Give her some more. - Enough.
Did you eat, Venu?
Then eat and go to bed.
Go on, then.
Isn’t it obvious?
That nose, those eyes
- Exactly like his - Softly…
She was born to a Sinhalese woman.
I saw Madhavan’s letter.
Oh my God!
Incredible! It’s rotating!
Go and sleep.
You never even open your books now!
Now I know your name!
Venu.
It’s meant for the hair, not the table!
People have been talking. I know now.
Know what?
That you’re having an affair and there’s a child.
Is it that child who’s come with you?
Didn’t I tell you about her?
Why do you listen to what these people say, Ammalu?
I heard you’d come. So I thought I’d visit you
I’m glad. Come in, sit down.
Caught the whiff of your cigar from out there!
You’re just imagining things that don’t exist!
I don’t know how to imagine things.
I’ve been hearing all sorts of rumours.
I just asked what the truth is. That’s all.
Look Ammalu,
people who have nothing else to do have made all this up.
Don’t try to explain.
Madhavettan wrote to me.
Who? Your elder brother, Madhavan?
That shiftless fellow?
It was I who took him to Ceylon and got him a job.
Just the right person to have stabbed me in the back!
What’s this boy doing, lurking around the place?
Go and lie down in your aunt’s room!
Come to Ceylon,
we’ll have a good time.
Happy?
- So you’re going to Vanneri? - Yes.
Having come all the way here, shouldn’t I visit them?
- Who’s there now? - Everyone.
Father’s brother, the one just younger than him died last March.
Come!
Coming with me?
To Ceylon?
To Vanneri, my ancestral house.
He has school. He can’t go anywhere now.
Damodara!
I’ve packed the snacks to be taken there
and 2 banana clusters.
Take them as well.
Yes, sir.
How far now?
Half an hour more, Sir.
Which are the sweets Srilankans like the most?
We have a tradition to take sweets when we visit our relatives.
- Yes, sir. - Shall we get some?
Sure Sir, I’ll get them for you.
Sir...
This is the news of our programme yesterday.
See this. The photo is yours, Sir.
Venu, when are you going to Ceylon?
Pardon, Cheriyamma.
I asked, when are you going to Ceylon?
Wednesday.
That girl who came here,
the one who came with your father.
From Ceylon!
She was 2 years older than you.
If you could meet her...
Everyone said she was your own sister.
But how will you search for her without even an address?
I can try.
Did you find what you were looking for?
Yes.
What was that girl’s name?
Leela.
I’ve not forgotten.
Leela!
Here, all Malayalis are called Kochiyans.
There are 2 houses on this road with Kochiyan connections.
Let’s go and check, Sir.
A funeral is going on, Sir.
They’re here to pay homage to the dead.
That’s why they have white flags and clothes.
Ashley, this is not the house we have to go to, is it?
No, Sir, we’re going to the third house.
What’s the boy doing? Is he cleaning the water or what?
No Sir, these people are very poor.
They pluck these plants for food.
Does a Kochiyan live in that house?
- Sir, what is your sister’s name? - Leela.
Is that Leela’s house?
This is Leela’s brother.
He’s come from Kerala.
Are you Leela’s son?
Can’t you hear me?
I’m shouting!
I can!
Kochiyans are all crooks!
Leela has no one.
No Kochiyans!
No one!
Listen, brother.
We’re not here to make trouble.
All we want is to meet your mother.
You’ve nothing better to do?
So another Kochiyan has come to meet her!
Bloody crooks!
Sir,
this is the house.
Father…
Leela...
She does not want to meet any of you.
Get out!
Out!
Whatever money I had in hand
to be sent from home,
not a bad sum in all I entrusted to Ashley.
The boy will no longer have to eat water hyacinths to stay alive
I will keep doing this until I die.
It’s all I can do...
for Leela!