A gathering of Sri Lankan literary powerhouses took place at the South Asian Art and Literature Festival (SALA 2024) held at Stanford University on September 28th. The panel featured renowned Sri Lankan writers such as Shyam Selvadurai, VV Ganeshananthan, and Shehan Karunatilaka, moderated by Nayomi Munaweera, an author based in the Bay Area. These authors discussed their works and shared insights into their writing process and inspirations.
Shyam Selvadurai, known for his book “Mansion of the Moons,” spoke about his reimagining of the life of Yashodhara, the wife of Gautama Siddhartha who became the Buddha. Selvadurai shared how he was inspired to write about Yashodhara after coming across a poem called Yasodhara’s Lament. He described a profound moment of inspiration while observing a mother and son in Nepal, which helped shape the story. Selvadurai emphasized the importance of portraying women in a different light and giving them agency in historical narratives.
VV Ganeshananthan read from her book “Brotherless Night,” which explores the impact of Sri Lanka’s Civil War on a family in Jaffna. She discussed her research process and the challenge of reconciling different versions of history. Ganeshananthan highlighted the importance of centering women’s stories in narratives about conflict and displacement. She shared how rewriting her book chronologically helped bring the story together.
Shehan Karunatilaka, the Booker Prize-winning author of “The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida,” discussed the evolution of his novel and the influence of other writers on his work. Karunatilaka shared a humorous anecdote about the time it takes to write a book, emphasizing the importance of perseverance in the writing process. He also talked about the character of Maali Almeida and the unique narrative voice he chose for the book.
Each author offered insights into their research process and writing recommendations. Selvadurai advised aspiring writers to do enough research to credibly enter the world of their story, while Karunatilaka recommended reading extensively on the subject. Ganeshananthan found the research process intriguing where stories ended, emphasizing the importance of going beyond the surface level.
The panel highlighted the influence of Shyam Selvadurai’s work on the participating authors and the broader landscape of Sri Lankan literature. They discussed the diversity of voices emerging from Sri Lanka and the growing recognition of writers from the island on the global stage. The authors engaged with attendees during a book signing session, reflecting on the pivotal moment for Sri Lankan writers in the literary world.
In conclusion, the panel at SALA 2024 provided a platform for Sri Lankan writers to share their stories, inspirations, and challenges in the world of literature. The event showcased the richness and diversity of Sri Lankan storytelling and marked a significant moment for these writers on the international stage.
