Dr Manonmani Shanmugadas, wife of Emeritus Prof A Shanmugdas of Yaalpaanam University has written an academic type of 266 pages compiling a lot of researched material in a book in Tami called “Ilankaith Tamiliyal-Sila Pathivuhal” (meaning Lankan Tamil logy- some registration). The book is published by Kumaran Book House and priced at Rs.675 copy. According to the blurb in the back cover, there are 20 essays in the book.
They are on the History of Lankan Tamil Literature and the contribution of Lankan Tamil Scholars and most importantly the lifestyle of the people of Yaalpaanam (Jaffna) region and their cultural tradition.
Manonmani hailing from the Yaalpanam and her husband hailing from Thirukonamalai (Trincomalee) have lived in Japan for some time and done splendid research on comparative studies between Japanese and Tamil languages.
Earlier Manonmani was attached to the Kaksuin University as a researcher and lecturer. The writer of many books in Tamil; she had attended many International conferences and read papers.
My purpose here is not to review her well-documented book, but to give some particulars only in the second chapter on the origin of Tamils in Sri Lanka. This is pertinent in the context of current controversial fear among some quarters about the existence of the Tamils in our beloved country.
I transliterate some of the quotations in the book without comment.
“The Chola kings captured Lanka in A.D 993. Since then, for 65 years it was known as Anuradhapura period in Lankan History. We come to know that Tamil poets lived in this period and their writings are known through the history of Sinhala historian of literature. Venerable Hissella Dharmaratne Thera wrote in 1963 as follows:
“During this period, Tamil was taught. This was evident from the fact that Tamil scholars cane and resided in Anuradhapura, South Indian Bhikkhus came and settled here, and the Tamil leaders established educational institutions. Kapila, a minister of King Woharathissa was a Tamil scholar. Venerable Buddhadatta Thera was born in Urahapura in Chola country, and Bhikkhus Badadedi born in Kanchipuram, and Dharmapala were living in Anuradhapura for some time. Also, Vajrabhodi and his pupil Amokavajra belonging to the Mahayana sector were living for some time in Abhayagirya. A Tamil minister Buddhadasa established Senapathi Mooliyadhana in Jetawana. Both Mahayana and Theravada sectors taught Tamil “
Manonmani continues:
“When Acharya Dharmapala was residing at Anuradhapura Mahavihara compared the work Pedhaka’s Sinhala and Tamil commentaries and wrote his own commentary in A D 5th century says K, Navaratnam in his book published in 1959.
Between 6th century AD and 9th century AD, Thirugnasambanthar, Suntharamorthy, Thirunavkarasar -Saints in Sivaism- have sung devotional songs on Lankan temples Thirukoneswaram and Thiruketheeswaram.
During the Chola period in Anuradhapura, Jataka stories were translated from Pali to Sinhala. Venerable Thotagamuwe Rahula Thera mentions a book called “Demala Jataka Kadapathaya” and quotes from the book. Prof C E Godakumbura in his book published in 1995 says this could be a collection of Tamil classical words that fit in the Jataka stories.”
The author mentions 8 works written in Tamil which attempt to depict the history of Lankan Tamil Literature of the period 5th century AD and 9th century A D. They are:
1. A Mututhambioilaai – History of Eelamandala Poets- 1922
2. C. Kanesa Iyer – Eelanaaduth Tamil Poets History-1939
3. M. Kanapathipillai -Eelanaaddu Tamil SudarMankal-1967
4. F X C Nadarasa- History of Lankan Tamil works-1970
5. P. Poologasingam- Lankan Tamil Literature (Up to 18thcentury)-1974
6. K. Sivathanbi-Tamil Literature in Lanka-1978
7. K S. Nadarasa -The growth of Lankan Tamil Literature -1982
8. A. Velupillai- From ancient times Lanka Literature and historical background-1986.
The author is sceptical of the conclusions of the writers quoted and merely records the statements for further research, in her book.
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