A lasting recollection from my time in the Faculty- Mahendra Gonsalkorale

A lasting recollection from my time in the Faculty

First Posted on 6th of November 2018 (If you click on the blue "A lasting recollection from my time in the Faculty") above, it will take you to the original post with all the comments)

Down Memory Lane

By Mahendra (Speedy) Gonsalkorale

There is probably no limit to the recollection of interesting episodes during our Faculty times. I regard the Blog as a proper medium to record some of these and hope many others will follow. In this post, I close my eyes and transport myself back to the mid-sixties to the Physiology Lecture theatre, a place I recall with a mixture of awe, veneration and wonderment. When I first walked into that theatre with its wooden panelling, tiered rows of seats arranged in a semi-circle with a long front desk behind which was a big blackboard, for me it was like walking into a place of worship. The currently hackneyed word “awesome” describes it well.

The occasion I am reliving was an evening Lecture by a new Neurosurgeon by the name of Darrel Weinman. The hall was packed and before the arrival of the Lecturer, there was the usual loud indecipherable cacophony of voices mingled with the noise of feet on the platform on which the chairs were arranged.I observed that last minute preparations were being made on the front desk by the Chairman, who I think was Prof Koch but my memory is not infallible.

Suddenly, the noise subsided quickly to be replaced by the pregnant silence of eager anticipation. Dr Darrel Weinman, looking young, smart and dapper, walked in with a big smile lighting up his handsome face. He was much shorter than I expected and was wearing an academic gown. He looked very distinguished and learned.

The Chairman introduced him with a brief but informative speech and invited Dr Weinman to address the audience. The exact topic is not of importance for this short essay. What he actually said is also not of great relevance. It is the manner of delivery, the visual aids used and his incredible ability to hold the audience spellbound with his eloquence and mastery of the topic that has stood in my memory. I had never before been to a Lecture so beautifully illustrated with a slick slide presentation. Not for him the “next slide please”. He signalled when he wanted the next slide with a press of the little “batta” he held in the palm of his hand,  invisible to us, which emitted a loud and sharp clicking noise when pressed. These were days long before computers and PowerPoint. The slides had to be made and mounted individually in the Photographic department. The Lecture had to be planned and made ready days before the presentation as no last minute editing was possible. All this required skill and mastery of the topic and Dr Weinman certainly possessed these qualities.

He spoke for about 40 minutes or so during which there was perfect silence only to be broken by prolonged and loud applause when he finished, which he modestly acknowledged with that warm and charming smile we all recall with endearment.

The physiology lecture theatre is also fondly remembered for other virtuoso presenters such as Dr Carlo Fonseka, Dr Wickrema Wijenaike, Prof “Bull” Seneviratne, just to mention a few. Who can forget our first days in the Faculty when we sat strictly according to alphabetical order ready with pen, and with note book perched on the little wooden pad on the right arm of the chair? Who can forget the loud noise we made by stamping on the wooden platforms on which the chairs were placed when there was occasion to cheer or applaud? The acoustics and the seating arrangement were perfect. After many decades of sitting in various auditoriums and lecture theatres in many countries, I regard the Old Physiology Lecture theatre as one of the best.

As we all know, Dr Darrel Weinman passed away recently.I was prompted to write this article when my thoughts turned to him when I heard of his demise. I regard myself as very fortunate to have benefitted from his knowledge, teaching ability and kindness; truly a great doctor and human being. 

A few selected comments on that post.

ND Amarasekera

Mahendra
Thank you for those wonderful memories which you have presented so well. This brings back memories of a time when teachers demanded great respect except the ones you’ve mentioned. They were kind and treated us with respect. Wijenaike and Weinman were very special people whom I remember with much respect.
It great to read memories of those years in the faculty.

Waas and Lester J brought some sanity to the Block which had a hostile environment created by SSP. Some of Our clinical teachers needed a lesson in humility. Prof KR was the worst in that regard. I say that as a part of our cherished history and not to castigate them as many took on the task of training us seriously. May they all be at Peace. It is unfair to look at the 20th century with 21st century glasses

AHT Sumathipala

Hi! Speedy,
I almost agree with what you have already written about the good old days. No one mentioned Prof.Sinnathamby's lectures, which were delivered from the top floor of the administrative block.
His lectures kept me awake from my usual sleepy afternoon; after a hefty lunch at Bloem.You all cannot forget how he teased the female students.

Hi!, Speedy,ND& Zita, Very nice to see your comments.I feel sorry that other regular bloggers have failed to come forward with their comments.I have been under the weather and a bit slow in my contributions.

As already mentioned, some of our teachers were excellent. A few were moody and showed no empathy towards weaker fellow students.
Prof Raj wanted every student to be like him and he used to loose his temper very often.That may have contributed to his premature death. To tell you the truth,I got on very well with him..In fact he felt sorry that I went to Ratnapura to do my Intern period.when I could have got a place in Colombo. I met him at the Administrative block,one day, and he asked me where I was based.Then only he told me that I was high in the order of merit, albeit, missed a Second class at the Finals.During the students days,I have very little money to invest on text books

Zita Perera Subsesinghe

From Zita: I can only say, 'hear, hear!' to that account by Mahendra on one of our revered and admired teachers and it brings a strange nostalgia and we are back sitting in the Phys theatre with Dr Weinman on the dais. You have reverently described a great man. We all know that his part as teacher for ever such a short period had a life long influence on all aspects of our student life. Dr Weinman is no more but he lives on in the hearts and minds of his students, colleagues and patients. We bow in reverence and sadness.

Mahendra Gonsalkorale

The past is to be recalled as it was and not as what it might have been or could have been or should have been; just an observation and recollection with an emphasis on pleasant memories with no ill feelings but with the ability to recall even unpleasant things as a passive observer. This would give rise to inner peace and equanimity. philosophical? I suppose so!