Shehan Karunatilaka, the winner of the 2022 Booker Prize for his novel The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida, recently engaged in a conversation at the South Asian Art and Literature Festival (SALA 2024) about his book set in 1990 Sri Lanka during a Civil War. The discussion shed light on the courageous choice to use real people as inspiration for characters in the book, drawing from the moderator, Sharika Thiranagama’s mother, Dr. Rajani Thiranagama, an activist who was assassinated during the conflict.
The book, a satire, delves into the seedy underbelly of Colombo, showcasing the aftermath of the war through the lens of unsolved murders. Karunatilaka’s depiction of the city as a dystopian landscape intertwines with the themes of mourning and ghosts. The narrative also touches on the ethno-nationalist identity of Sri Lanka, exploring legends like “Kuveni’s Curse” and the symbolic dead leopard as a hero figure.
During the session, Karunatilaka mentioned his influences, such as Salman Rushdie and Carl Muller, who paved the way for using hybrid language in literature. The discussion also touched on the absence of physical memorials in Colombo, contrasting the past conflicts with the present-day cityscape.
Reflecting on narrating his book for an audiobook, Karunatilaka humorously shared his initial thought of reading it himself before opting for a talented Sri Lankan actor. The conversation also delved into the Sri Lankan identity of writers like Michael Ondaatje and Arthur C. Clarke, emphasizing their impact on the country’s literary landscape.
In conclusion, the session encapsulated the intricate layers of storytelling, blending real-life events with fictional narratives to explore the complexities of history and memory. Karunatilaka’s approach to writing as a gardener rather than an architect highlights the organic growth of his stories, rooted in the cultural fabric of Sri Lanka. Thiranagama’s appreciation for the portrayal of her mother in the book underscored the poignant reflection on the impact of storytelling in honoring the past and embracing the ghosts that linger in our collective memory.
