Ishvari Corea
An erudite scholar
Many saddened voices articulate the sense of loss engendered by the passing of the erudite scholar Ishvari Corea. They almost exclusively dwelt on her near life-long association with the treasuries and depositories of knowledge.
Ishvari continued to be the dedicated and sustained guardian of books, making some wonder if her undiminished ardour for her dumb but eloquent ‘friends,’ was divinely inspired. She so predominantly lavished on books, as well as their homes, the libraries.
Ishvari displayed a profound interest in all positive issues that occupy the mind of evolved people are keen on leading sophisticated and culture-oriented lives. A good part of the people who remember this outstanding character is aware only of her mature professional phase, which was overwhelmingly dominated by books and libraries. However, that stage of her life, as the popular saying goes, is only the tip of the Iceberg.
Ishvari Corea’s earlier days are a closed book for most persons of this day, but strangely enough, I had the advantage of knowing her when she and I were young undergraduates of the University of Ceylon, the first independent university of the island. The university was under the stern and strictly-disciplined supervision of Sir Ivor Jennings, the pioneer vice-chancellor.
Ishvari and I were two undergraduates almost of the same age; she was a little younger. There was yet another academic factor that made us have an especially close affinity. I read for Sinhala Honours, with English as my subsidiary subject. This was a pioneering academic situation as it was the first time that combination took place. Ishvari, too, pursued an identical academic path.
After university, I went along, to be a communications person, eventually setting up a few records through my efforts. I never asked Ishvari Corea how she travelled across to the domain of books and libraries, achieving a note-worthy success in that chosen field. She lectured academic groups in that subject area, which was fairly new for Sri Lanka at that time.
Eventually, she showed her distinct personality in all areas of library administration in the island. She transformed the Public Library of Colombo into a citadel of knowledge.
If I remember right, Ishvari Corea was the Head of the Colombo Metropolitan Library when it celebrated its golden jubilee.
From quite early on, Ishvari gave the impression of being restrained, spiritually awakened, an austere in outlook. Her organisational dexterity was amazing, to say the least—fabulous could perhaps be a better description.
In the eve of her fruitful days, she spent a well-earned spell of tranquillity in the heartwarming atmosphere so affectionately provided by her youthful kinsfolk.
I tend to imagine that, in her final days, Ishvari would have reached a point that was in hailing proximity to liberation. May she eventually arrive at that oasis.
Dr. Edwin Ariyadasa
Add new comment