PAINTINGS BY TALENTED ARTISTS

PAINTINGS BY TALENTED ARTISTS

I am delighted to post three paintings to enhance our blog.  The first two are by Srianee “Bunter” Dias and the third one by Indra Anandasabapathy’s talented wife Devarani.

Bunter says- “The first is entitled ““Field of Dreams”” and was done in acrylics while I was in Sri Lanka”

The second was completed a few days ago in oils, and I am calling it “After the Storm

Devarani’s work is oil on canvass and is a classic still life painting and reminds me of the French 19^th Century artist Paul Cezanne’s still life paintings.

All three are great examples of creativity and talent and I am sure viewers will enjoy feasting their eyes on them. Thank you Srianee and Devarani.

Speedy on behalf of Lucky

 I am adding  some paintings by Devarani which appeared on Apri 11,2017 and My 8,2017

Glimpses from the past of home “services” and recycling

Glimpses from the past of home “services” and recycling

by Mahendra “Speedy” Gonsalkorale

I hope to stimulate my colleagues to come up with their own recollections of such services.

Recycling is very much in the news now but in my childhood days, many types of recycling were carried out. For example, we had milk bottles delivered to our house, and the empty bottles from the previous delivery collected at the same time. We also had local dairymen coming on bicycles with a large aluminium canister of milk at the back from which he filled the empty bottles we gave him.  

The need to go out and shop for many home requirements was less because of the various vendors who visited homes. One notable person I have a clear recollection was a Chinese man wearing Khaki shorts, long stocking ending just below the knee and a khaki safari hat (Cheena redi velenda). He came on a cycle with a big bundle of textiles perched on a rack attached above the rear wheel mudguard. He used to unload his “Pottaniya” and display all his textiles and was not at all upset if my mother did not purchase any.  The wily man knew there would be another occasion.

Another was a fish seller, the Maalu velenda, shouting “malu,malu!”, with two sizeable shallow wicker baskets, each hanging on three strings from the ends of a crossbar which he balanced on his shoulder. His equivalent on vegetables, the elavalu welenda,  used similar accessories.

I remember the paan and bunnis man bringing fresh bread loaves and buns.  They were all amiable and pleasant people. And of course the ice cream and lollipop man!

We had men who collected empty bottles and old newspapers (bothal karaya). These men skilfully balanced quite a large container to collect the bottles, on their heads as they walked from house to house shouting what sounded like “peeyap, botheley”. Who says that recycling is a modern phenomenon! Another I recall is the knife sharpener who had his contraption for executing his work slung on his back. It was stood on the ground and had a pedal and belt-driven grinding wheel on which knives were sharpened. He was the “kathuru muwath – pihiya muwath” man.

Another home service was the horoscope man, the “sasthara karaya”. It was mandatory to consult the stars for anything of importance. Each of us had a book with a horoscope chart based on the positions of the planets at the time of birth written on it. Our expert called on us from time to time and exercise books which were used usually for school work were produced on which he with great diligence and an air of gravitas, jotted down various calculations and predictions based on an almanac which he consulted. He was highly respected and savoured the tea and biscuits offered to him. He was also a good source of gossip! The favoured expert changed according to the latest correct or incorrect predictions recently made by them. Word spread quickly!.

Then there was the Dhobi who did our laundry. He came home, and my mother had a notebook in which she recorded every item of linen and clothing the Dhobi took with him for washing. All the pieces were placed in neat piles on the floor on the day the Dhobi was expected. He would go through the categories and shout out the item name and number, and my mother would note it down. For example, “Mesa redi (table cloth) pahai (5)”, “Kota kalisang (shorts) atai (8)” and so on, He would bundle them all in a large white sheet and take it away on his bicycle. He would come back in possibly two to three weeks, and the process is reversed as my mother checks whether everything has been delivered washed and clean. After checking the clean ones, he would pick up the items to be washed as described

.

Another person to call was the man who delivers lunch to school. He picked up the plate of prepared food covered with another plate and wrapped with a cloth with the four edges tied into a central knot. He took it away on his bicycle to a Central distribution point where many like him brought food parcels and through an ingenious system of geographical redistribution, these men would each pick up all the packed lunches to be taken to the designated area which he covers. Thus, the person who picks up the lunch and the person who delivers are not the same.

Before flushing toilets arrived, we had bucket latrines. The excreta was emptied into a bucket and covered with sawdust or rice husk dust to minimise odour. The buckets were collected house to house and taken away for disposal by a “coolie” who was always clad in a khaki top and shorts, in a pushcart which usually had eight compartments for placing eight buckets. Sadly, the job was delegated to low-caste men.

I just wonder how many of these services still persist in modern Sri Lanka.

Our ride into the sunset

Our ride into the sunset 

by Dr Nihal D Amerasekera

“Media vita in morte sumus” - In the midst of life, we are in death. This is the first line of a Gregorian chant circa 1300. This rings true now as it did all those years ago. Presently we battle through our lives in the midst of Covid-19. For septuagenarians like myself, in the autumn of our lives, there are many other pitfalls just around the corner.

At any age we all lust for longevity. Although we all will face it someday, our aversion to talk about death is universal. This is partly due to the fear of the unknown and also not wanting to tempt fate. During my childhood, grim legends were abound, and tales were told of death, devils and the darkness of hell. These daunting images continue to colour my thoughts even now. It is true there is little point in talking about death when we are young and healthy. The scene changes irrevocably when we become septuagenarians. This is the time to bite the bullet and face reality while still able to enjoy the good life.

Life expectancy has risen considerably in our lifetime. Perhaps, professionally, we have helped to make this happen. In the United Kingdom, the life expectancy for men is 79 and for Women 82. Living longer has many benefits. It is indeed so wonderful to see our own grandchildren grow-up and perhaps also to see their children too. But there is a price to be paid while the years take their toll on us. The sudden deaths that took away our parents and our grandparents don’t happen anymore. We just live longer. Our bodies continue to wither away as the years pass. A fistful of tablets and an earful of advice keep us going. The joints continue to creak and the backaches as we trundle along. I can feel the gradual decline and the loss of energy as the months' pass. I am not as steady on my feet as I was last year. Gravity is gradually trying to take over when I walk or try to maintain my erect posture for long. These issues that are rather trivial now will only get worse with time. If I live long enough I will need help for walking, feeding and ablutions. This may be with a carer at home or in an institution. This requires careful thought and judicious planning.

Life must have an end. A rapid exit is everyone’s dream. Unlike for the previous generations, the end for us may not be swift. Cancers or degenerative nervous diseases like strokes, dementia and Parkinsonism are some of the common ways to exit this world. Departing this life is never pleasant. Then again, we will need help in the way of a carer or be confined to an institution. These issues need careful planning now when we are compos mentis. Importantly the family should be consulted. They must be aware of our choices that may have significant financial implications. We must remember it is their pain and burden too. They must have the information to discuss with us the feasibility of our plans.

To plan ahead we must make an informed choice. For this, the doctors must provide us with the information with honesty. Thankfully, in the new millennium, the conceit and the patronising pomposity that existed in the medical profession has largely melted away. This has resulted in far better rapport between the doctor and the patient. When confronted with a terminal illness we need to know the prognosis, the positive and negative implications of treatment and also of having no treatment. It is invaluable to weigh up the implications of a range of alternatives, some of which may be “off the menu”, before making a choice.

It is wise to leave written instructions as to our care including treatments we do not want to have. This is legally binding and is called the Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment (A living will). I know some have instructions not to be resuscitated. Some want all treatment stopped including antibiotics. We can also allow someone else to make the decisions for us when we can’t. This is called the Legal Power of Attorney. Some cancer patients do not want any treatment. They do not wish to prolong life not wanting the stress and struggle of radiotherapy and chemotherapy and its many unpleasant side effects. It is imperative the doctor should discuss the quality of life on treatment. Many others show great resilience and courage in continuing and completing the treatment schedule and we respect their choice.

If terminally ill I should have the right to end my life. This issue has come into prominence in the UK in several high-profile cases of Motor Neurone Disease and Multiple Sclerosis that went to the Supreme Court. Adequate safeguards must be built in for this. In the UK there has been a shift in common morality for euthanasia and assisted suicide both of which are illegal under English law. Some go to Dignitas in Switzerland, a place for assisted suicide, to end their lives. Ending one’s life is the last resort. The National Health Service provides good palliative care as well as providing psychological, social and spiritual support.

The answers to the many questions that arise and the solutions to the many problems that surface will vary according to our personal circumstances. It is paramount that the wishes of the patients and their relatives are respected. I am merely raising awareness to a common problem we will all face sooner or later. As I write I know of 90-year-olds, like Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, who are still smiling, enjoying life and their families. But they are no doubt in the minority. Some may still have the old fashioned, laid-back and carefree attitude thinking “Que sera sera” Whatever will be will be!! This may just leave our loved ones in the dark about an issue which may be long and protracted and financially draining.

Making that final journey to exit from this world is something we must all do in the fullness of time. This challenging journey may take from a few days to a few months. Professional medical input is vital during this period to remain free of pain and to receive psychological support. We must leave behind the sadness and regrets of the past, taking with us only those happy and joyful memories. In the lonely waking hours, one may wish to walk with God for comfort and support or focus the mind on meditation and mindfulness. Some receive comfort from the “Mozart effect” of listening to soothing classical music. There is a lot of helpful advice available from professionals, carers and institutions to reach that final destination with dignity.

As much as there is no holding back the night, there is no hope of a second dawn. I feel we leave this earth never to return again. I seek the wisdom of that great Roman Poet Horace "NON OMNIS MORIAR" (Not all of me will die). Our children and grandchildren are shaped by the genes they inherit from us. They smile and laugh like us and even may think like us at times. They will carry our baton into the future.

As septuagenarians, our minds are much calmer now. There is no burning ambition or desire to chase money or position. We have done our caring for our progeny. Once we have made our choices for our parting it is so important we must return to our regular routine. It serves no purpose to dwell on death and dying. We will deal with it when it comes. It is so true we will not pass this way again. So enjoy the beauty of nature, the birds and the bees and the company of family and friends.  It is only then we can sing that famous song “Que sera sera”.

Here are my best wishes for a happy and peaceful journey's end with poise and dignity.

I wish to announce that due to my present illness, Speedy (Mahendra Gonsalkorale) will be temporarily taking over the running of the blog until further notice. I request all those who are waiting in line to send in their contributions to him who will gladly publish them as I have been doing all these years. Good luck and good blogging!

Lucky

Blog Administrator