Episode 8 Chirasri Jayaweera Bandara nee Mallawaratchi
Ophthalmic surgeon with a special interest in
keratoplasty
“The value of taking up hobbies in retirement”
Speedy: Good morning Chira. You are my 8th guest. I am so happy
that you accepted my invitation to talk to me about your hobbies. If you
like to touch on any interesting memories from Medical faculty days
please do so. I would like to do a follow-up interview to talk about your
career later. You are one of 4 eye surgeons in our batch, the others being
Cassim, Zita and JGW. We are very proud of your achievements.
Chira: Thank you for inviting me Speedy. Would you
mind if I address you as Mahendra since I am used to calling you that because
as you know, we have known each other since we were kids living close to each
other in Nugegoda.
Speedy: Of course I don't mind Chira! Our parent's
houses were quite close to each other at Nugegoda. We are going back 65 years
or more! In our families, as brothers and sisters, we use to play a lot and
have loads of fun.
Chira: Yes, I can still recall how we used to stage
plays. We were very small and the stage was our large dining table!
Speedy: We lost contact after my family left Nugegoda till we
became batch mates in 1962.
Now coming to today’s discussion, it all started with
my Blog survey which you very kindly responded to.
Chira: I sent my reply that I have not been visiting the
blog often lately but that I used to do so very often earlier. I sent my
congratulations to Lucky for starting the Colombo Medgrads 1962 blog and to you
for keeping it alive. I think it is fantastic and is a very good way of keeping
in touch with all our batch mates. I hope to visit the blog more often in the
future.
Speedy: During the exchange of emails that followed, you
mentioned how you took up some new hobbies. Shall we talk about them and the
reasons why you did?
Chira; That’s fine Mahendra. I told you about my hobby of
cross stitching and I explained that it was my daughter Anjali who prompted me
to take it up as a hobby. After retirement, we all need a hobby or some sort of
enjoyable activity to keep us busy and healthy. When I stopped doing surgery I
was feeling at a loss and she is the one who introduced me to it.
Speedy: Is your daughter a doctor too?
Chira: She is Mahendra, a budding eye surgeon.
Speedy: That is great to hear Chira! Please convey our best
wishes to Anjali. Moving on, I shall ask you to explain what cross-stitch is
but you also mentioned that you took up drawing.
Chira: After I did six Cross stitchings I started painting, also helped by my daughter
Anjali who brought me all the necessary items. I have never gone for any
classes but started painting by looking at pictures on the internet. You will
be surprised to know that I have done more than 50 paintings on Kent A5 paper.
I have laminated them and put in an Album.
Speedy: I would love to see them and with your permission, I
would like to post a selection on the Blog.
As you know we have quite a few good artists including Srianee (Bunter), Zita,
Indra Ana’s wife Rani, just to name a few.
Chira: I shall send you some Mahendra, and you can decide
when and how many to publish. It is so nice of you to take such an interest.
Speedy: My pleasure Chira and I hope this will stimulate more
to think of taking up new hobbies.
Chira: What about you and your hobbies and interests?
Speedy; Music keeps me busy. I have a Yamaha Genos keyboard. I
compose and sing and I have a YouTube channel. I also paint and draw and
through the Sri Lankan Literary Society of which I am a Founder member, we do
Zoom interviews with interesting people. The other interest is golf which gives
me physical activity in addition to the pleasure of playing the game. Enough
about me! Tell us about Cross- stitch.
Chira: Sure, but you must show us a selection of your own
work.
Speedy: Some have already appeared on the blog but I shall
post a few more. Now tell me about cross stitch
Chira: Cross stitch is a form of counted thread embroidery
that has been around for ages, and it is one of the easiest forms of hand
embroidery to learn. Cross stitch is comprised of X-shaped stitches done on
fabric with an even and open weave like Aida or linen. Designs can be
traditional or modern or in between.
Speedy: I am beginning to get some idea but how do you
actually do it?
Chira:
The cross-stitching I do is through a website called wwwmyphotostitch.com
I won't go into technical details but it involves uploading the photo you would
like to cross stitch and then receiving a detailed template on which you work
to produce the final product. In fact, Lucky’s wife Mangala has done a lot of
cross stitching and I have given the website to her and also to Zita to do
cross stitching. Mangala said she wants to cross stitch a photo of their
grandkids with that website. Zita said that she wants to follow that website
too.
If anyone is interested I shall give you my contact details to pass on to interested people.
Speedy: That would be best because I don’t want to publish
your personal details here because the Blog is public.
Wonderful! Can you show us some examples and perhaps
talk through them.
Chira: I had a suspicion that you would ask! Let me show
you some examples. When you publish them please show the photograph and the
cross stitching side by side.
Here is the first one, My grandkids
2nd my sister Dhammika’s granddaughter
And 3rd my husband’s orchids.
4th
My daughter Anjali (when she was about 11 years old) and our dog.
I am very proud of my 5th cross stitch. The Lord Buddha, my best and I took 2 months to complete it.
Speedy: What a great collection! It must give you a great deal of satisfaction.
Chira: It does! Please mention in your post to hold the
cross stitch at a distance to view it to really appreciate it.
Speedy: Yes, I can see that. It is like looking at a
pixelated photograph, the closer you get, the more you lose on the overall
perspective.
I don’t want to take too much of your time but just to
finish, have you any amusing anecdotes or memories of Batch days on colleagues
or teachers or anything?
Chira: Well I can recall a couple. Firstly, I can remember the fresher’s rag when we had
to wear mismatching sari and blouse dark green and dark blue etc. and we had to
wear a long chain around the neck made out of human vertebrae and also we had to
wear two different kinds of shoes ! Another one I recall well is that the
senior boys used to go to Manel Mathew’s home at Barnes Place. The servant boy
comes out and says “lady said to tell you that she is not at home”, “mata nona kuwwa gedera na kiyala kiyanna”
when she was inside the house!
Speedy: That reminds me of a cartoon series that appeared in
the newspapers in Ceylon all those years ago. The character was Dagwood Bumpstead
and his wife Blondie. In one episode, he shouted “There is nobody at home”,
when the doorbell rang. The man shouted “then who is answering me?” The next scene shows Dagwood on all fours
rushing out saying “woof woof, I am the dog”!
Chira: I can just about recollect Blondie and also Jiggs
and Maggie!
Speedy: Long live those characters!
Thank you so much for appearing on my interview series
and I hope you will succeed in stimulating our colleagues to take up new
hobbies and share their experience with us. The motto is “it is never too late”
I look forward to receiving a selection of your
drawings which will appear as a follow up. I have published the beautiful
seasons greeting painting you sent me - “Wishing all our batchmates, spouses and
families a Merry Christmas and a Bright, Prosperous, Happy and Healthy New Year
2021.
Chira: Thanks Mahendra. I shall send you some more paintings
and I hope you won’t be disappointed. Thank you for giving me this opportunity
and I too hope that the Blog will continue to flourish. All the best!
Speedy: It has been my pleasure and thanks again.
My wife Mangala has got very friendly with Chira through cross stitch which is a common hobby to both. They talk about the hobby on the phone and compare notes. Professionally, she has always been very helpful. I have sought her advice many times.
ReplyDeleteLucky I am sorry I replied you on the 14th Dec. Please refer to it lower down Chira
Deletechira i hope you liked it
ReplyDeleteMahendra Sorry for not replying here but replying on the 14th Dec. Please refer to it lower down. Chira
DeleteChira
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for the making the effort to bring us news about your life at present. We had 150 in our batch and it was impossible to get to know everyone. It is a sad fact despite the 5 years together we haven't spoken a word or even said a hello.
But here is a hello from me, better late than never!! I personally greatly admire those who remained in SL despite the ethnic war, political turmoil and the economic upheaval. This must indeed bring you great satisfaction.
I too remember with much fondness the lovely cartoon series in the Daily News captioned “Bringing up father” Jiggs the gambler betting on horses and going to football matches and Blondie the overpowering wife threatening the husband with a rolling pin.
I did my eye appointment with Dr Devadithya, a very kindly man who gave us a lovely dinner at the end of it all. That is all I recall of ophthalmology. However, Several of our batch specialised in Ophthalmology including our friends Zita, MHS Cassim and the late LGDK Herath.
Great to hear news of your family, your pride and joy.
It is so lovely to have you on the blog and we hope you will be able to contribute and comment in whatever way you can to keep our friendships alive.
Be safe and take care during these difficult times.
My thanks to Mahen for arranging this dialogue.
ND Sorry for not replying here but I did on the 14th Dec.Please see lower down. Chira.
DeleteI wasn’t aware that LGDK was also in ophthalmology. This makes it 5. Chira pointed out herself, Zita, Cassa, and JGWijetunga to which I add LGDK making it a grand total of 5.
ReplyDeleteI do hope readers will come up with their own accounts of hobbies etc they have picked up.
Hi,Chira, glad to hear that you are in good health and enjoying your retirement.
ReplyDeleteAHTS Sorry your reply is lower down on the 14th Dec.Please refer to it. Chira
DeleteAs far as I know, LGDK was doing Anaesthesia at SJP Hosp to gain some experience just before he left for Australia.
ReplyDeleteOver to you Nihal. Did he do Eyes in Australia? All eyes are on you now, Ay!
DeleteLDGK Herath was at Central Middlesex Hospital in London in Ophthalmology before he emigrated to Canberra, Australia. That is my last recollection.
DeleteNihal!
DeleteWhat, I gathered in the past via an article by Suri was that LDGK obtained experience in Anaesthesia at Jayawardhanapura teaching hospital under Suri before his emigration to Australia.So Lucky and me may be right.
Sumathy
DeleteThanks. You and Lucky may be right. These are memories of events so long ago and the guy himself is no more. Personally I dont consider this a hugely important issue but it is good to get the fact right if possible.
Our Cunningham (Upali)used to bully LDGK, every time he got answers wrong.LDGK was a very friendly guy.
ReplyDeleteLGDK was a few years senior to me at Ananda. He fell back and joined our batch. I knew him very well. He was married to Dr. Manel Jayamanne (our parallel batch in Peradeniya). His brother was the former IGP Cyril Herath. As a medical student the Herath family lived at Dilrukshi Place, off Old Kesbewa Road, Nugegoda just past the Quinlon Theatre and the level crossing. Cyril Herath's wife Rani ( A Miss Goonetilake) also lived on Dilrukshi Place and that is where Cyril met his future wife. ND knows Rani's brother LR Goonetilake who was the opening bowler for Wesley during our time.
ReplyDeleteLGDK often gave me a lift on his Vespa as I lived in Nugegoda. There were times I went to his house for a chat. On my journeys for the Blood Bank I was told he and his wife worked at the Bandarawela Hospital but I couldnt meet them due to my stiff schedule. I never met him in London but was told he worked at the Central Middlesex Hospital in Ophthalmology. Did he make a career change as I did? Then I was told he emigrated to Canberra and sadly he was wheelchair bound for several years before his demise. I was saddened by the news as LGDK was a lovely person.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure whether he did a career change. Or whether he did any post graduate exams at all.
ReplyDeleteYes, he was in Canberra and he died there.
A bit disappointed to seen no responses on hobbies, pastimes and any innovative ideas on keeping ourselves busy and engaged. I was hoping that Chira's post might act as a catalyst. I think the lesson to be learnt from the blog is that discussions go off at a tangent stimulated by some occurrence referred to in a comment. Nothing wrong with that but it is a pity that in the process, the content of the original post is completely side lined. If that happens after some discussion on the post itself, one can understand..... but....well... that's the way it is......
ReplyDeleteI too have learnt the hard way. Often comments go off at a tangent losing the original thread completely. It just goes to show this is a chat forum and is very good at that too. If thats the way it wants to move so be it.
DeleteMahen and Nihal, this is how conversations evolve! (We are sitting at the "Bar with no Beer," remember?) The important thing is that people participate. Don't worry, I will make a comment "on topic' further down!
DeleteLucky& Nihal,
ReplyDeleteEvery time I hear about a batch-mate, my mind travels back to the good old days in the Medical Faculty. Will we have have a another chance to meet the good chaps in the batch?, Perhaps in our next birth! Are we going to recognise them at all
Lucky& Nihal,
ReplyDeleteEvery time I hear about a batch-mate, my mind travels back to the good old days in the Medical Faculty. Will we have have a another chance to meet the good chaps in the batch?, Perhaps in our next birth! Are we going to recognise them at all
I phoned a relative of LGDK today but didnt get the info I need about his speciality. Just heard the sad news that he had MND. May he find the Eternal Bliss of Nirvana.
ReplyDeleteNo wonder that poor fellow was chairbound.We did not see many MND patients, during our days in SL.
DeleteSumathy
ReplyDeleteYou are right. I wish we could all meet.
MAHENDRA My apologies for not posting a comment early.
ReplyDeleteThe Speedy Dialogue I did with you is bright, simply lovely and well done. Thank you very much.
The moment I saw it early morning on Sunday the 13th I tried to send a comment but couldn't do so. I told you my problem.
Anyway good work done. I will be looking forward to seeing more of these in the future.I appreciate your enthusiasm for keeping the blog alive. Wishing you all the best. Chira
LUCKY Thank you very much for your comment.
I must congratulate you for starting the blog and for maintaining it all these years. It is fantastic. It is a very good way of keeping in touch with all our batch mates. Long live the Blog. Wishing you all the best. Chira
NIHAL AMERASEKERA Thank you very much for your comments. We are thankful to you for your contribution to the blog with so many articles. Wishing you all the best. Chira
AHTS Thank you very much for your comment.
Herath didn't do Ophthalmology in Sri Lanka.
Wishing you all the best. Chira
Chira, you must have worked with P Abeysuriya and Dr Weerasinghe in Ophthalmology.Are they still alive.
ReplyDeleteAHTS I am sorry I didn't reply here but lower down. Please refer to it. Chira
DeleteI am always late in commenting on Speedy Interviews, but this is not for lack of interest. And in Chira's case, I readily do it as we have a long history together. Chira is a long term friend and colleague. I remember her during our medical school days and later as a friend whose house I visited often, and who often gave me good advice to help me through my spell at the Eye Hospital, Colombo when I was a SHO. Later we met up in the UK when she did her spell of training abroad. I remember Chira staying with us over a weekend and our visit to the Adventure Island at the Seafront where we went on rides up in the air,(oops) and then to a Seafront restaurant to have coffee and cakes!Yes these bring me and Joe happy memories but we have kept regularly in touch in the later years, exchanging family news re her, Ranjit and children. In the past few years we didn't get a chance to meet and I am very happy to read this interview and to see her lovely cross stitch pictures. What a wonderful of way of spending the time during Lockdown! I wish Chira, Ranjit and her lovely, clever children all the best! Zita
ReplyDeleteZita, it is never too late to read your lovely comments. I must have forgotten how well you knew Chira and see "eye" to "eye". I hope you won't get "cross" with me and "stitch" me up! Enough wordplay! It was good to know how she spent time with you.
DeleteZita I am sorry I didn't reply here but I replied lower down. Please refer to it. Chira
DeleteYes, how right you are, Mahendra! Chira and I did see 'eye' to 'eye', how appropriate the words you choose, and Chira always helped me whatever the problem I had and there are only few people like her, who I can think of, with whom distance is no matter. And in fact distance makes the heart grow fonder! Zita
DeleteMahendra
DeleteYour word play is great. Zita and I see "eye"to "eye"and don't worry she won't stitch you up!
Zita
I really admire you for studying again and doing our local MS Ophthalmology Sri lanka exam. so that you could be a Consultant Ophthalmologist and practice in Sri Lanka. Well Done !
Zita !
AHTS I didn't work with both DR.Abeysuiriya and Dr. Weerasinha.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen Dr.Abeysuiriya for many years. I worked as SHO at Eye Hospital when Dr.Weerasinha was Consultant.We had a celebration for him for his 90th birthday. He looks the same and healthy with good mental state.
I must congratulate Mahendra and you for your interview going down memory lane. I enjoyed the humourous conversations. Well done. Chira
ZITA Thank you very much for your comments.
As good friends I am glad that we are in close contact with each other though we are miles apart.I recollect enjoying myself coming to your place in UK many years ago.I remember Ranjit,children and I had lunch at your house in South End On Sea in 2004. I met Dr. Ajith Abeygunasekera my trainee now a Consultant Eye surgeon working in Homagama. We all had fun together that day.
Wishing you,Joe and family all the best. Chira
That's right, Chira! You remember more things than I do and I am glad about it. Even if I forget details, the general rapport which you and I had and what existed between our families is unique. I wish you and Ranjit a really happy retirement and may your lovely children have careers at least as good as you have had!
DeleteZita
DeleteWhere good friends are concerned we have to help one another when one is in distress.I am sure you can remember the fraud I got caught, where I got a E mail from you saying that you are stranded in Spain that you need Sterling Pounds 2000.
Since I could not contact you, I sent 2000 pounds.The money was going via Barclays Bank London to Spain. When we realized it was a fraud I got my Bank to contact Barclays Bank London to stop sending the money to Spain.Money had gone to London and we managed to stop the transfer of money from London to Spain.
I got money back minus about 100 pounds.
Remember when you came to Sri Lanka for our Batch Reunion you gave me a cheque for the money I lost, but I did not accept it. This happened in Sept. 2009.
This shows we are great friends, all out to help one another at a time of need, though we are miles apart. Chira
Chira, your memory is excellent and I am glad you brought this subject up,of the fraud and the money. Let me enlighten the others a bit. This fraud was where someone hacked into my email account and used my email address to impersonate me and send 'urgent' emails to my friends, saying I am stranded in Europe as I have been robbed and I need £2000 urgently and to please send the money to - and given the address of a European bank. Generous and friendly you, Chira sent £2000 to the bank mentioned and it had to be done via Barclays. When I found out about the fraud, many others had tried to help me but you are the one who actually sent the 2000! I remember the struggle to get the money from these banks after exposing the fraud. What stands out, is your readiness to 'bail' me out!
DeleteAnother thing: When I was doing my local MS Ophthalmology with the intention of becoming a consultant at the Eye Hospital,Colombo, you, Chira was an examiner! Remember? It was a great relief to see you there and also one of my consultants from the UK, Mr Mushin. You, Chira was very fair but for me there was that relief of having you on the panel. What a history we have together, Chira!
Zita
DeleteWhat a fraud it was. My son found out it was a Black African who was involved. We managed to find out in good time, that it was a fraud. Of the 2000 Pounds Sterling I sent I managed to get back
1900 Pounds.
Post Graduate Institute Of Medicine Sri lanka (P.G.I.M.) started conducting the M.S. Ophthalmology exam. in 1985. I was an Examiner from 1985 to 2001. Was Cassim one of your Examiners too? It is quite creditable, of you to study again and do this exam. I admire your determination! Chira
I think Dr Cassim too was one of my examiners! Imagine two of my batch mates as examiners! Well I am very happy to have passed the exam and I did work at the Eye Hospital with all of you. It was a very happy time. I liked relaxing in the common room where we had a lot of space and we could all chat with each other. My memories of that time are very dear to me.
DeleteChira, your cross stitch creations are awesome! Cross stitching requires tremendous patience and concentration and your skill is admired. It is wonderful that you have shared this hobby with others like Mangala who have a passion for creative handwork. Thank you for showcasing the less known talents of our batch mates Speedy.
ReplyDeleteI apologize for not visiting the Blog regularly. With Covid there is no house help and no schooling and I am kept busy cooking to feed two teenage grandsons. Manel
Thanks Manel. You are keeping busy in a very constructive and helpful way looking after your grandsons. They are very lucky. I find that helping with grandkids is a very common "pastime" with people of our generation. I am sure it is very rewarding too. Do keep in touch.
DeleteManel Thank you very much for your comment admiring my cross work.I agree with you that cross stitching requires tremendous patience and concentration. If you make a mistake you have to unpick a fair amount, at times. I have unpicked quite a lot in order to get a good effect and a proper picture with correct shading.I must say that I enjoy doing it and get a great deal of satisfaction when I see the end product.
DeleteManel I remember I was in the opposite room in the women's hostel down De Saram road in our final year.
I worked in Kandy Hospital for 5 years as Eye Surgeon and used to meet you and late Priya often.Your husband used to treat my son when he was small. Pleasant memories! Wish you all the best. Chira
While welcoming Chira to our fold, we must all join hands together to congratulate her mainly on making the best use of her retirement. As we know, most Consultants who retire at 60 years are left with a lot of free time. It is only a handful like Chira who cultivate new hobbies. Now comes the new Batch Blog which will take up part of her time!
ReplyDeleteI must mention here that today's Consultants hardly have any time to educate and advise their patients, and answer the many questions that patients have. As in the case of my recent illness, I had so many questions and I was free to ask a friend like Chira, rather than posing such questions to an unknown person. I must say that I made full use of this opportunity and Chira was kind enough to explain in detail all my queries. Thank you Chira. I am putting this down in the public domain rather than in a private e-mail or by telephone, because others too must get to know how helpful she has been.
Lucky
DeleteI fully agree with you about the attitude of present day Consultants in Sri Lanka. The famous saying "Money Talks) even does not exist. I have not visited SL for some years, but information reaches me from my friends and relatives, about functioning of the system. Private practice was illegal during our time in SL and some doctors including Consultants were caught accepting money from patients in good old days. I can assure all the readers that I never took any money from my patients. There was a false allegation against me by the minor staff at Deniyaya DH during the insurrection in 1971.Ther allegation was that I accepted money from the JVP for treating their injured. The rumours circulated like wildfire and people in Colombo had heard about it. Lucky, you know all the facts as I have informed you the story in a confidential way. I am sorry about the deviation from the main topic.
Lucky Thank you very much for congratulating me on doing cross stitching during my post retirement. It keeps me occupied, I enjoy doing it and I get a lot of satisfaction on seeing the end result.
DeleteI must admit that I am visiting the blog daily now, as I am interested on viewing the comments after the Speedy Dialogue.
Also thank you much very much for appreciating my responses to your eye problem queries. It is my pleasure.
Lucky I should thank you for your responses on trying to help me when I was desperate in trying to post a comment and couldn't do so. I value and appreciate your help.
My friendship with Mangala developed with the cross stitching.
Her cross stitching and ribbon embroidery are beautiful.
Wishing both of you all the best.
Hi Chira
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your beautiful intricate artwork,no surprises coming from an Eye Surgeon.There was a Mallawaratchi who was a classmate of mine at STC,he did engineering.I wonder whether he was a relative of yours.
Bora, it could well be Chira's brother Dayalal who is a Civil Engineer and Past President of the Institution of Engineers. He is married to Prof. Channa Ratnatunge's sister. I am sure Chira wil respond. If your classmate was Dayalal, then it must be him.
DeleteBora Thank you very much for appreciating my cross stitching. I value your comment.
DeleteI noticed Manendra had given details about my brother just above. Please read it.
Mahendra and family lived close to our place when we were small,
down Melder Place Nugegoda. We used to play together as small kids and he knows about us.Can you remember his name? He is D.P.Mallawaratchi, first name is Dayalal some used to call him Daya. His pet name at home is Matchi. I am sure it is my brother who was your classmates at STC. Please reply. Wishing you all the best. Chira
Hi Chira
DeleteThanks for your reply,confirms your brother was my class mate.He would have entered the E faculty the same time you got in for the six month course in Zoology in 1961.Give my regards to him,he may remember me.I was in the Zoo six months too.
I knew Shanthi P from STC Prep and later STC Mount.
Hi Bora
DeleteSo you were at STC Prep and later STC Mount. My brother did the same. My son (a Doctor now) too was at STC Prep but later went to Royal. His 8 years old son is at STC Prep and a class mate of Swyrie's grand son. STC Prep is a good school. Chira
Hi Chira
DeleteSiri Cassim,Nalin Nanna were in my year at STC Prep and went to Royal,Mahen and Sunna(S.R) were junior,H.N and J.C senior to me at the Prep school went to Royal.Agree STC Prep is a good school,It must be more than a Prep school now.During our time "The Bishop's Meadows" which was across the Galle Road were the Prep school playing fields,it is now occupied by the Cinnamon Grand.
We used to call your brother Malla,I have met two of his class mates,David Anthnize and Wehalle a few times in LONDON.
Hi Bora
DeleteI know some of my brothers friends used to call him Malla.
David Anthonize used to live in Nugegoda and had been in and out of our house very often, married Malkanthi I think from the Peradeniya batch. I remember meeting them in UK. Chira
Chira
ReplyDeleteIt took me sometime to look at your lovely handiwork carefully to appreciate its brilliance. They are really very pretty and so close to the originals.
Living in Nugegoda so close to St John's Girls School I wonder if you attended that school early on in your life. We lived opposite the school and hence St John's became my first school. I recall a girl from Melder Place in my school with whom me and my cousins played and even visited their house. Mind you that was over 70 years ago and memories are vague and just wonder if you have any recollection.
It is so lovely to have you on the blog.
I went to St John's too but I just cannot recall details of my fellow students apart from a girl called Gowrie who lived close to the school and I have been to her place. I remember learning how to sew at St Johns and can still visualise the "sarungal" (kites) I did with chain stitching!
DeleteI remember several of my friends from St John's. Lakshman Heendeniya became a medical rep and is known to Lucky, There was Athula Perera and Mohinee Seneviratne. Mrs De Mel was my teacher and recall a teacher by the unusual name of Wheelbarrow. Mrs. Aldons was the Principal.
DeleteND Thank you very much for appreciating my cross stitch work. I value it.
DeleteI started my education at The Girl's High School,Kandy as we were living in Kandy. My father came on transfer to Colombo and I attended St. John's Girl's School for one year and I moved over to Methodist College Colombo.I entered The University to do the 6 months course in Zoology from Methodist College.There was a Mohini Seneviratne in my class at Methodist College from St Joseph's lane Nugegoda. Her sister also from Methodist College married Dr Shanthi Paranavithana Nugegoda G.P. Chira
Chira
DeleteYou probably was in my class too at St Johns. I was a 5 year old and recall taking Mohini's pencil and all hell breaking loose. There were interrogations and evidence being submitted to the teacher and the final verdict being delivered. I had to return the pencil with floods of tears.I remember these little snippets and not the pharmacology and pathology.
There was another girl Sonia wickramasinghe/ Dissanayake
ND
DeleteFor one year I attended St Johns Girls School Nugegoda as I mentioned in the above reply. There were only girls in the school. You may have been in the parallel class in the Boys school.
Chira
DeleteI was in the St Johns Girl School where there were girls and boys in the Kindergarten. From the Primary School upwards there were only girls and the boys had to leave or move to the St John's Boys School which was just opposite the Girl School as you recall.
Addendum: I never went to the St Johns Boys School. I left and went to Wesley College
DeleteMe too Nihal, it was a mixed sex class.
DeleteMahendra and ND
DeleteI am sorry I didn't realize that there were boys in the Kindergarten class. When I mentioned this to my sister living in Australia today on Whats app she said that she too had boys in her class when she was there for one year.
I think I was there in standard 3 for one year only. Chira
Chira
DeleteNo apology is needed. These are ancient memories that we recall through the fog of time.
Sumathy and Lucky
ReplyDeleteThe practice of medicine has changed enormously since we started as medical students. Much of it for the better with the advances in diagnosis and treatment. The media and the internet have educated the public about medicine and what is possible and expected from their care. Litigation has become a double edged sword making the doctors answerable and also a lot more cautious always looking over the shoulder. Allowing doctors working for the government to engage in private practice causes enormous problems with conflict of interests. This however can be done ethically as many do in the UK. Any system is open to abuse.
I still cling to some of my left wing politics of my youth when I dreamed of that utopia when all education and healthcare was free for everyone. I would now include care of the elderly. That all seems an impossible dream now.
I am not a regular visitor to SL and I cannot comment on the practice and the ethics of the profession at present. When I needed help I had the likes of Harsha Samarajiwa, Revo Drahman and the late Dayasiri Fernando to call upon for assistance. I still value their expertise and help given with humanity and kindness.
Hi ND,
DeleteWas your teacher Barrow rather than Wheelbarrow,which could have been a nickname.
Our cricket captain in 1952. was Conrad B;we won the Royal Thomian that year and again in’53 under P.I.Peiris It’s amazing how I can remember even little details from days gone by. They say a child’s mind is like a blotter.
Hi Kumar
DeleteIt could well be Barrow the wheels may have come off after 70 years!! I remember Condrad Barrow. He is in the UK and my friend Senthil Sinniah who captained cricket at Wesley in 1959 has met him playing in the Thames Valley League. There was an Aldons too who played for St Thomas way back in time. Dan Piachaud lived in London and his son played cricket with my elder son for Bedford School. It is a small world.
Incidentally I did Deva Adithya Eye appointment for 2 weeks after which he gave us a dinner. Nice guy. His son is a politician in the UK but not an MP.
Nihal, Deva Adithya was not only an MP but later became MUP. He was a dye-hard Conservative. He must be enjoying his retirement from politics.
DeleteAddendum.
DeletePlease read diehard and not dye hard.
Sumathy
DeleteThakur Artha Niranjan Joseph De Silva Deva Aditya, FRSA, DL (born 11 May 1948), known as Nirj Deva, is a British politician. A member of the Conservative Party, he served as a Member of the European Parliament for South East England from 1999 to 2019. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) in the British House of Commons from 1992 to 1997, for the seat of Brentford and Isleworth.
You were right .He was known as Niranjan Deva.I am sure Indian community supported him as he possess an Indian name. Name Adithya is more Indian than Sinhalese.He was defeated as a result of Indian community voting against him in Brentford& Iseworth.
DeleteDear Chitra,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and thanks for posting photos of your beautiful cross stitch work.Having performed delicate surgery throughout your professional career this is I’m sure a “piece of cake”.My mother was an expert at this.She was also very adept at lace “beeralu “ making .She learnt all this from Santhi Appuhamy ,a friend of her Grandfather’s .SA had been sent to Japan by Anagarika Dharmapala who was keen to establish local arts and crafts.
You must have known Dr Deva Adithiya.I treated him for renal colic at Kalawana where I was DMO.He had a rubber estate there.I brought him home and made him comfortable.On returning to Colombo he wrote a very gracious two page letter and invited me home.Such were the manners of the leaders of our profession in days gone by.
Season’s greetings and happiness,peace and prosperity for you and family
‘
Hi Kumar
DeleteThank you very much for your comment appreciating my cross stitch work.
Glad to know that your mother was an expert at cross stitching.
When I was a SHO I can remember Dr. Devadittiya being admitted to Eye Hospital with an eye problem. Chira
Apologies for misspelling your name Chira.The auto correct devil at work again.!!!
ReplyDeleteI met Herath in Canberra few years ago and I think he was a GP at that time. My regular past-time at present is playing gin rummy athe Otters or in a friends house every evening, when I am in Colombo. There is no social life in Anuradhapura for me.As you all may be aware, I spend every other week in Anuradhapura, Monday to Friday, every other week, teaching final year students. I have being doing this since April 2015.
ReplyDeleteIn afew minutes time I will be delivering two lectures via Zoom to the first batch of Sabaragamuwa students, who just started their third year. I deliver two lectures from 10.00am to 12.00 noon on Wednesdays.
Last Wednesday I lectured to two batches of students at the same time(Rajarata-real and Sabaragamuwa-virtual). I will be doing the same next Wednesday as well. The curfews and lockdowns have not affected my activities at all!
Sanath, that was good to know. Not only are you exercising your brain with your teaching activities but also with taxing games like gin rummy. A good role model for us ageing souls on how to maintain health and well being. The old adage "use it or lose it becomes more and more relevant". I would add regular exercise, a sensible diet and maintaining social contact as other important ingredients. As we get older, those of us who held relatively high positions will realise that we have already or are rapidly becoming part of history. I am reminded of one of my colleagues (not a batchmate) who strode into his Hospital where he reigned supreme for years after a lapse of 10 years, and was totally deflated when nobody recognised him, and in fact questioned him as to what he was doing there at the time.
DeleteYes, Mahen and Sanath, you are setting a good example to all of us. I do try to keep my body and brain active (scrabble and other word games!) Somehow, I find that my inspiration to paint has gone AWOL! (COVID-19 and the craziness of the US elections had a lot to do with it.) Since I meet only a few people face to face these days, I do pick up the phone more than I did before to catch up with friends. I agree with you Mahen, that maintaining social connections is really important. The people whose identity was dependent entirely on their work life, have great difficulty adjusting to their retirement life.
DeleteChira and Mahen, it was very interesting to read your "virtual interview" and then the various comments that followed. Chira, your cross stitch work is exquisite, and I am sure it requires a lot of patience, doing one stitch at a time to get the colors just right. As you may know, I have been painting, on and off most of my life, mostly with oil paints. It is much easier to correct mistakes when using oil paints. I can only imagine the patience required to do cross stitching. I have a question, are you able to get your supplies easily in Sri Lanka? You did show me some of the photos of your work when we met in Colombo last year, and I thought they were great.
ReplyDeleteWhile reading the comments I was impressed at the people who remembered their kindergarten years! At Ladies' College during my time there, we had boys who stayed until "Standard 5." Some of my male classmates were Chanaka W and Ranjan Hulugalle, who were with us in Medical College. Some of the others who may be known to the readers of this blog include Srinika Jayaratne, Vijaya Corea and Jayalath Pedris. When we were in kindergarten the boys had to learn "needle work" alongside the girls. Some of the projects we worked on included embroidering tea towels and such! I would like to know how many of the guys reading this can sew a button back on a garment?! Time for true confessions!
One more thing, when Bora inquired about the classmate named Mallawaratchi, it occurred to me that at STC they did not use first names. They were known by their last names and initials. My brothers were known as EC, HC, and GAF! I think only their closest friends knew their first names! I suspect it was like that at many boys' schools. It was one of those customs borrowed from the British.
Srianee
DeleteThat is the British Public School tradition to use the surname instead of the "Christian name"
Hi Srianee
DeleteAgree most of the time at STC we used the initials as you have described.Sometimes names were derived from the initials.There was a family of Pereras : MSPG, MSW and TSW and they were called Maspang,Masala wade( wade) and Those respectively.
P.H.A.N Dias was called Phan Dias.
Prof Raj too got into act of using initials. N.O. Wicks who was a few years senior to us annoyed Raj during a ward class and the irate Prof shouted "N.O.Wickremasinghe you are NO more" and asked him to leave the class.
Hi Bunter
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for appreciating my cross stitch work. I value your comment.
Yes the necessary Anchor and Rose brands thread numbers depicting different colours, cross stitch mesh material and the blunt needles used for cross stitch work are available in Srina palace in Nugegoda and Borella.
So Bunter the boys had to do needle work! That's good, in an emergency when the occasion arises they will be able to sew a button on a shirt or trouser! When there is no female around how many men can do this I wonder?
Mahendra how about posting a questionnaire for the men re this. It will be interesting to see the outcome! I am sure Ranjit can do it on his own if I am not around. Chira
OK Chaps out there, how many of you can (a) sew a button.(b) sew a patch on a torn elbow on a jumper, (c) cook a full meal (d) fry and egg!
ReplyDeleteMahen
ReplyDeleteWhile remaining loyal to our Blog motto "Facts are sacred but comment is free" Let me be positive and say I can fry an egg and make a cup of tea, sew a yarn, sow my seeds or patch a story.
I knew you were a talented guy Nihal!
DeleteSpeedy,I can stich torn clothes and fix buttons not only that I can bake bread , chapati,and rotis.That has given my wife a break.
ReplyDeleteSumathi, I am lost for words! Your wife is very lucky and Mangala is also lucky to have Lucky!
DeleteI can a) sew a button.(b) sew a patch on a torn elbow on a jumper, (I have never tried) (c) cook a full meal (only in the US)(d) fry and egg! Nobody taught me.
ReplyDeleteLGDK was seated nex to me at physio lectures. I knew he had passed away but not aware that he had MND.It is also known as Lou Gehrig'sdisease after the famous American baseballer who was a victim.The most famous was Stephen Hawking.David Niven the charismatic British actor was another. A young cousin of ours died young with it.He was a successful engineer also an All Ceylon singles Tennis champion. Towards the end his mother had to turn over the pages of books he was reading.
ReplyDeleteSuch is life
I think you are referring to GN Perera. I knew his brother SL (Dental Surgeon very well). He left for PNG and I have not heard about him since then.
DeleteLucky
Lucky,
DeleteSubaddha Lalith Perera is in SL at present.He is a very good practising Buddhist.Perhaps he was influenced by his brother’s illness.He is much into meditation and and associates with many good and noble monks.
He was one of the pioneers who established a dental school in Port Moresby.
Iwill forward his telephone number and email via your emai.
Kumar
LGDK and I were also body partners the first term.He was a quiet amiable chap.The other body partners were Chira,two lovely gracious LC girls (Nirmala Nadaraja Yaso Lenaduwa)and the most colourful Elmo Samuel.He was the self appointed chief of our ‘body’ and wouldn’t allow anyone else to rag us.He was an old Benedictine and hockey playing colleague of our Cyril Ernest.We were friends after the rag.Later on he became an orthopedist.Sadly he passed away recently.
ReplyDeleteI did not enjoy the ‘Block’,but there were redeeming features like Prof Chanmugam’s sigs,the pranks played by some on our female counterparts (not me)and a sweet female demonstrator.
C’est La Vie
Kumar
DeleteI must admit that I had forgotten that you and Herath were body partners. I remember that Yaso Lenaduwa and Nirmala were body partners, may be because they were friendly with Manel Mathew from Ladies College.
Yaso is a sister of late Srima Dissanayake, Late Gamini Dissanayake's wife and Mother of MPS Naveen and Mayantha Dissanayake. Chira
Srianee, Mahen,Chira,Bora,Nihal and others
ReplyDeleteI remember travelling to RPS on the first of January 1948 in a rickshaw accompanied by an Ayah, to enter the baby class. The teacher, Mrs.Peiris requested me to sing a song. I asked her in which language I should sing and her reply was a language of my choice. I went on to sing"Ba ba black sheep, have you any wool__?".I ended up winning the class prize at the end of that year. It was a book in the shape of a boot with laces. Some of my class-mates were Mahendra Collure, Channa Ratnatunga, Preethi Rajapakse, Sandy Parameswaran, Siva Thiagaraja, Mahasen de Silva,Gaminda Warusawithana,Arudpragasam, S A Wijesekera, Aruna Rajapakse and Dushy Nadaraja.
When I entered the first form at RC in 1954,Chanaka Wijesekera, Joe Wijayanayagam, S R de Silva, S P de Silva, Pupa Sivananda, Chandra Pathirana,H S P Peiris and R wickramasekaran joined us from other schools. Others in my class were Navin Gunaratne, Darrell Lieversz, Lakshman Kaluarachchi, Niro Dahanayake and Ana Wimaladharma I sang "Ba ba black sheep have you any wool___" for a second time in June 1962, when I entered the Colombo Medical Faculty, when a senior student ragged me. I ragged him in return by singing that particular nursery rhyme, much to his annoyance!
Jayalath Pedris and Siri Jayaratne enterd RC from LC.Siri Jayaratne was our wicket keeper and he created a record at the Royal-Thomian cricket match by having the most numbr of dismissals. Jayalath Pedris's elder brother married Manel Mathew.
Hi Sanath
DeleteIs Mahasen De Silva - KLMT who was in our batch. KLMT lived in Kohuwela and he offered me a lift to Nugegoda in his BSA Bantam. We became really good friends. In conversation he often used the words "That Bugger". I lost contact after 1967 and would love to be in touch again. I have a vague recollection that Dushy Nadaraja went into Radiology in the UK and died young.
Nihal, I am sure Sanath is referring to KLMT. I last met him a few years ago in Colombo when I spoke at a Seminar there on Geriatric Medicine. He came up to me and introduced himself and at first I couldn't recognise him and as it so often happens, your brain makes the connection and recognition dawn on you. I used to call him "calamity"! I doubt whether I asked him whether he could stitch a button!
DeleteMahen
DeleteThat's great to get some info about KLMT alias calamity. He is such a gentle friendly soul. Actually you havent changed at all since faculty days. I would recognise you instantly if i saw you even on the other side of the road !! No wonder he came up to you
Sanath
DeleteYou mentioned that Channa Ratnatunge ( Prof. of Surgery )
was a class mate of yours. His sister Malini from Ladies College, a Msc. graduate working AT the C.I.S.I.R. married my brother a class mate of Bora's at STC. My brother and family are living in Channa's parents house down 5th lane off Thurstan road opposite one side of Royal collge. Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is also living down the same road. Chira.
Sanath
You mentioned that Jayalath Pedris's brother married Manel Mathew.
Lalith Pedris and Manel Mathew are my patients re eyes. Lalith's mother too was a patient of mine.
We have been to Manel's house down Barn's Place many times and we have had meals quite a number of times there, when we a medical students .
I had also been to Lalith's parents house down Alfred Place near Durdan's Hospital several times when they were living there after their marriage. Now they are living down Barn's Place in their Son's house. Both their sons are married and residing in USA. Chira
Sanath
Joe Wijayanayagam was also a class mate of yours you mentioned.
He and I worked at Eye Hospital at the same time.After his Fellowship In Ophthalmology he worked in Sri Lanka for sometime. Later he, Ingrid and family migrated to the U.S.A.
He used to come to Sri Lanka during some of the Annual Ophthalmological sessions. Not only did he participate but also his daughter did so.
He delivered the Dr. P. Sivasubramaniam memorial oration too.
Chira
Chira
DeleteTwo of my cousins Dr Milinda and Vedeha Amerasinghe are close relatives of Dayalal's Father in law,they are also related to the Ratnatunga's from Chapel Lane Wellwatte.You may know Binara.Amerasinghe who is an Eye Surgeon , Vedaha's son.
I had several cousjns at M.C,maybe a year or so junior to you. Averil and Seetha Jayawardena,Mignonne and Vivienne Illasinghe,Oreen De Alwis,Trikanthi Gunsaekera(married to Anura, Sanath's class mate) and finally Anoja Jayasekera.
Chira
Two Cousins of mine Dr Milinda and Vedeha Amerasinghe are closely related to Dayalal's father in law and the Ratnatungas from Chapel lane wellawatte.You may probably know Binara Amrrasinghe who is a Eye Surgeon,Vedeha's son.
My mother,my two sisters and seven cousins were at M.C
Bora
DeleteMy Brother's father in Law P.U.Ratnatunge Survey General was a 1st cousin of Vedeha Amerasinghe. His son Binara was a trainee of mine and he learnt the ABC of Ophthalmology from me. I have been to his house down 5th Lane and he too has come home.
P.U. Ratnatunge's parents house down Chapel Lane Wellawatte
you mentioned, now is occupied by his sister's daughter Manouri Seneviratne Anaesthetist and Harsha Seneviratne V.O.G.
My brother obtained his MSc from The British Colombia University,Vancourver,Canada.
He was responsible in constructing a Runway in the Airport in Maldives. As General Manager of The Road Development Authority he was involved in the quality control of the construction of the Expressway from Colombo to Galle.
Channa's sister Sujeeva Pathologist married to Tissa Ratnayake Dermatologist are living in Melbourne and i met them in Melbourne in 2006.
My sister too was at Methodist 2 classes lower down. I can remember Oreen and Avril. Oreen's sister Rosemary was a classmate of mine and she expired when we were in standard 5 and I received her Memorial price. I met Oreen at Pram's place when she had a Methodist Get together a couple of years ago.
Chira
Sanath
ReplyDeleteIn 1951 for one term we were day boys when attending STC Prep and my two brothers along with me travelled to school by rickshaw from Dickmans road.A fellow Thomian(known to you) when he was in the lower school,STC Mount was asked to sing song in class,he sang a lovely song in Sinhalese and the rest sang English songs.He was called a "Godaya" and laughed at.
Bora
ReplyDeleteI joined Wesley in 1950 and recall that we were discouraged from speaking in Sinhala. There was a large number of Burgher students at school and they ridiculed mis-pronunciations and broken English. I've been called "Godaya" innumerable times for my share of poor English. It took a long time for us to shed our Colonial past. After independence we went too far the other way and failed to recognise the importance of English as a universal language. I hope they have got the balance right now.
Nihal
ReplyDeleteIt was the same at STC. Fluency in English was fashionable; When my father was at Richmond College, Galle, there was something called “the talking pencil”. This was handed to any boy who spoke in Sinhalese. At the end of the day, the boy who was in possession of the talking pencil received a punishment.
My mother's family was very proud that they were more fluent in English than Sinhalese. In contrast, my father’s family, who were from the Deep South were proud of their Sinhala heritage.
In the 1930s, one of my Father's uncles from Athuraliya had to give evidence for the prosecution in a criminal proceedings. He insisted speaking in English despite his shortcomings. The verdict: an acquittal.
Bora
DeleteMy father too was at Richmond College Galle during the Principalship of Rev WJT Small. A small world!! Father spoke of a wonderful school that gave an all round education.
Yes I do recall my parents generation were proud of their English skills, mannerisms and etiquette. We spoke a strange mix of Sinhala and English at home. I think we were fortunate to have the best of both worlds.
Sadly now my Sinhala has undergone disuse atrophy. I cannot understand much of the Sinhala TV back home. Colloquial Sinhala is still fine for me. Sinhala Reading is now slow and laboured.
We look forward to Bora's Banter. It would raise a smile during these difficult times. Let that be our Christmas present for the Blog
Nihal, my father who is from Hikkaduwa, went to St Aloysius. Those were two great competing schools, Richmond and St Aloysius.
DeleteThis is a rather late response as I read the Chira interview only a few days back.
DeleteLucky is absolutely correct in his statement that Herath trained in anaesthesia at J pura hospital. Guess who his trainer was ??? Yes it was me and it was funny cos everytime he called me Suri all the other jonior anadrthetists were scandalised ! I also remember being his referee and helping him to secure a post in anaesthesia abroad. So I don't think he ever did any Opthalmology or certainly did not specialize in it.
I must not fail to say how impressed I am with Chira and her talents in painting and cross stitch. My daughter too loves cross stitch and to my delight presented me with Leonardo da Vinci's famous Last Supper done in cross stitch I think it took her about 3 months to complete while working full time and being a mother of two.
It takes a lot of patience I know and Chira you do have that in abundance as I well know being a school mate.
So sensible to take up a hobby that keeps you occupied . I must confess that I just don't have time to get involved in hobbies that take a lot of time as I am committed to help my 6 grand children with their home work and in their many extra curricular activities ... Singing, Ballet , Hip Hop, Swimming, Karate to name a few I forgot music, tennis, basket ball .... ! They keep me on my toes and keep young watching their favourite movies.. descendants Frozen Shrek etc etc
Suri
DeleteThank you very much for your comment re appreciation of my Cross Stitch and Painting.I value your comment. I have done more than 50 paintings on A5 Kent paper, laminated and put them in an album.
Please tell your daughter to do cross stitching using web site i mentioned in Speedy Dialogue. If she is interested she could speak to me and i could help her.Wishing you all the best. Chira
To all readers.
ReplyDeleteThe International schools are for the rich and the village children are taught in either Sinhalese or Tamil. I doubt whether there are good quality English teachers in those village schools.
As a village boy, I first learned English from a clerk at the Kachcheri wo who taught three of us few English words, after his return home from work. At the age of 9 or ten we had an English teacher in our village school, who had just got his SSC(Senior School Certificate).Those who were born to well to do families sent their children to schools in Colombo and had the best of Education.
Sumathy
DeleteYou have had a most remarkable journey and must feel proud of your many achievements. So pleased I have met you in my life's journey. Many of us are from villages and have come to the big cities for education. I still yearn for my early roots in the wilds of Kegalle, fishing in murky ponds and running half naked in muddy paddy fields. What matters at the end of the day is what we have achieved from the opportunities we've had.
Well done my friend.
Rickshaws were mentioned and this is an excerpt from "The Chronicle", a family history document I compiled for our family. "I went to school in a rickshaw. I remember the ride very well. The
ReplyDeleterickshaw man was barefooted, had a turban and was a strong man. It never occurred to me that this is not a task a man should do to earn a living. I am not sure why the next bit has stuck in my memory. I had a supply of sweets which I loved to suck while travelling in the rickshaw. They were small and of various
colours and my favourite was the crimson red one.
And another excerpt on bucket latrines, remember them? "Before flushing toilets arrived, we had bucket latrines. The excreta was emptied into a bucket and covered with sawdust or rice dust (piduru) 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 (camouflage?) and shorts in a pushcart which usually had
eight compartments for placing eight buckets. Sadly, the job was delegated to low-caste men".
On that important subject: the coolies carried the excreta into a huge bowser just like the bin collecting vans nowadays. We all knew when the bowser was around from the smell. As kids in Nugegoda we called it the "Ice Cream Van"
DeletePeople who removed the night soil were called coolies, the named as some of you know by now is derived from Hindi & Teligu. The meaning is day-labourer. In Urdu it means a slave. When I was small, I have witnessed those labourers carrying the buckets either on their head and by carts for disposal. The job was done by South Indian Tamils and after independence, some of those Indian were deported and local "Rodiya" caste people took over the job.
DeleteI am delighted to post comment 100! What a great response for China’s post. We covered a lot of interesting events and practices in Sri Lanka going back to our childhood. Connections were discovered, old friendships rekindled, skills and achievements shared. In short, this has been a hugely successful post. Thanks to Chira and all those who contributed.
ReplyDeleteDear Speedy, Replying you as I made a comment to Chira re her Hobbies , but unfortunately it has got swallowed up and lost ?
DeleteSo here is the short comment I made this morning . Please publish if its possible
Dear Chira ,
Pardon me for the delayed response .
When you called me to say about the Dialog with Speedy recently and it focussed on your hobbies of cross-stiching, I was eagerly waiting to see them , since you tried to get me interested in stich embroidery fairly recently.
visualising the pictures for the 2nd time , I must tell you that the end reusult was fantastic , exqusite embroidery , colour matching to perfection with the original.
Congratulation on the fabulous work which obviously takes much care, precision, patience and time consuming, undoublably by perfect eyesight of being an eye surgeon.
I wish you all the very best in your endaevour.
Good wishes from JC and myself for a very Happy New year 2021.
Sura
Sura
DeleteThank you very much for your lovely comments.I appreciate very much.
What about starting cross stitch work? It gives a lot of satisfaction. End result is rewarding. Chira
Sura, it was great to see your comment and even better when I called you and spoke to both of you and had a singing session with JC! I hope you have a lovely festive season.
ReplyDeleteAs we discussed, cross stitch appears to require infinite patience (we have loads of patients of course!) and a drive to complete what you started with dedication. Chira and Mangala appear to have these qualities in abundance.
Mahendra
DeleteThank you very much for your comment re Mangala and myself having qualities of infinite patience in abundance..
Thank you very much for your comment no. 100 on this Dialogue.
I am surprised that our batch mates haven't come up with hobbies.
Where hobbies are concerned Sriani said about her paintings.
You are a talented Artist, Musician, Singer and a great Poet and Administrator looking after the Blog. Collars up!
Mahendra we are proud of you.
Why don't you come up with a Programme to include all your hobbies?
Lucky over to you. Why not help him re an interview?
Mahendra is conducting interview etc.with so many people.
I think it is up to us Lucky to go ahead with my suggestion.
How about it? Chira
Hi everyone, I have been enjoying reading the "chit chat" following this post! It was fun to read. I recently came across two quotations from Margaret Atwood, the Canadian author (Handmaid's Tale) who is 81 years old. They are worth sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhen asked "What do you think is the biggest misconception about creativity?"
She said "I think one of them is that only geniuses have it. But, in fact, everybody has it because it is a human thing. It's just that people employ their creativity in different ways. Some people write. Some people knit. Some people make music. But it all has to do with our human capacity for invention and for seeing things from different points of view."
In response to the question "Do you feel freer now?" She said "As an older person, you're actually a lot freer, which is why there are so many pesky old ladies and men around. They're freer to speak their minds without getting into horrible trouble, except perhaps with their bridge club."
So here's to pesky old ladies and pesky old men!
Srianne,we are old in age, but some are young in their hearts.
ReplyDeleteSrianee, a very relevant and excellent quotation! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteSrianee
ReplyDeleteSo very true. I too find I now express myself without fear or favour unlike when I was younger when there were so many inhibitions. There are some advantage being older if we can think beyond our APR!!
Chira your cross stitch work is out of this world. What you said is right when you hold it at distance the Buddha seems to glow and take on a glow of blessing you personally . you really are a marvel. I saw this only now after i had seen and marvelled at your paintings. but which ever way you look makes no difference. one can only marvel at such a gifted person . Its great of you to use your talent and also enrich all your batch mates by letting it be published . thank you may the blessings of the Triple Gem be showered on you . manil (Hetti)
ReplyDeleteManil
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for your comment.I saw it only now. Do I deserve all that praise. Chira