First impressions matter.
The cover page of Creative Expressions, based on a
painting
by Nalini Jayasuria, titled The Singing Tree,
visualizes
the essence of the book in no uncertain terms. This
short
story collection is about variety of expression;
about
depicting the vibrancy and colours of life in
unique
detail; about recording subtle impressions in
unforgettable
ways. And the book lives up to that promise in
delightful
abandon.
The objective of the editor, Nimal Sanderatne,
economist
and social scientist turned publisher, is
clear. "It is
to
provide opportunities for creative persons to write
short
stories." Since it is his intention to publish a
volume
annually, it is also an open invitation to new
writers.
After reading the book, I am quite tempted to take
up
the
invitation. If we are judged by the company we
keep, I,
who
never dreamt of writing fiction before, would not
mind
being among the
writers whose works are included in
this
volume.
The fourteen writers, including the
editor himself,
are
from all walks of life. And their ages span an
amazing
60
years, ranging from 13 to 83! Many are first time
writers.
The
stories are from varied backgrounds as befits
such
a
mixed bunch.
The stories are as delightfully different from
eachother as
they can be. A mixed bunch, not of carefully grown
hothouse
blooms; but a refreshing bunch of individually
picked
wild
flowers, that somehow make a fragrant, multi hued,
quixotic
posy. This probably is due to the talent of the
editor
as
much as to that of the individual writers. Or
perhaps
it
was his power of motivation that made it possible.
Whatever
it was, putting this
posy together could not have
been
a
mere walk in the park.
The following are but a few chosen
flowers from
this
mixed
posy that captured my heart and interest:
The first story, Love, by Ransiri Menike Silva
tells
of a friendship between a delightful little girl
and an
old
rickshaw man. She does not lack for friends
because,
neigbouring ladies, old gentlemen, birds and
squirrels
and
the dog next door are all her admirers. But her
heart
goes
out to the old rickshaw man. When her brother makes
fun
of
her saying the rickshaw man is her grandfather, she
seriously considers making him so, because after
all,
he
pays more attention to her than both her
grandfathers!
The
story ends with an unforgettable lesson in life for
the
little girl-and for all of us.
In A Thief in the Night, Godfrey Gunatilleke
crafts
his tale around every parent's dilemma. You can try
and
try, but there are times when all you can do is
stand
and
watch, helpless.
Serendipity by Leonard Grasholm adds a different
perspective to what might otherwise have been a
collection
of stories by Sri Lankan writers. It relates the
story
of a
long drawn relationship between a Finn and a Sri
Lankan.
And if you are fond of unexpected endings, the
editor,
Nimal Sanderatne's Holiday Home would top your
list.
But how can I give you a true and faithful idea by
waving a
few chosen flowers from it in front of your face?
Tastes
differ. However, this collection of short stories,
is
capable of withstanding that immense challenge of
catering
to many tastes without becoming a flavourless hodge-
podge.
Throughout the book, one single question kept
nagging
me.
How real were these stories? They seemed uncannily
real
to
me. May be they were, in a way proving that real
life
is
far more interesting than fiction. I guess I shall
never
know the answer; at least, not unless I venture
into
writing shortstories.
Nilooka Dissanayake
First Chapters - www.smallbusiness.lk
More reviews about the Creative Expressions: Fourteen Short Stories