Reseña del libro "Gleanings: A Lankan's Views as a Columnist (en Inglés)"
A brief introduction about Writer and Reviewer K.S.Sivakumaran A well known veteran writer of Sri Lanka, the author K.S.Sivakumaran has been making significant contributions to the Lankan Literary Circle and the field of journalism both as a writer and columnist since 1953. He writes both in English and Tamil and his writings give us a picturesque view of Sri Lankan life - social as well as psychological. He has six books in English and more than 30 books in Tamil to his credit. He is also interested in films and he has written books on films too. Now 82 years of age this gentleman has been a translator, radio broadcaster, radio news editor, news reader, apart from being an English teacher in High Schools in the Maldives, Oman, the US and Lanka. He has worked in two English Language newspapers and two Tamil language newspapers.He has obtained BA from Peradeniya University (Lanka) and M.A.English from Madras University (India).The essays in this book are on different books of poems. Several writers of merit speak for his scholarship and readership.Inside...1.Illuminati Indian Literature in English2. Connecting through Translations3.Professional Editing of Books by Authors4.Growth process of the English Language5.Lankan Writing in English flourish6.Lankan English Drama in English7.Lankan English: Manique Gunasekara's views 8.Regi Siriwerdene: on Hybridity9.Poetic Mind of an Intellectual10.McAlpines Poems by a Humanist11.Poetry Transcreated12.Jean Arasanayagam's Poems: Irresistible13.Jean Arasanayagam: Mind and Felicity14.Kamala Wijeratne's Poetic Sensibilities15.Punyakante's Poems 16.Vivimarie's Borrowed Dust17.Driftwood18.Recollections19.James Goonawardene's "One Mad Bid for Freedom"20.Lanka born Danish Thamil Jasmin Kennedy's Poetry 21.Lanka born German Thamil Malini Maala's Poetry 22.Arul Subramaniam's novel in Thamil 23. Fleeting InfinityPublisher's NoteWith a lot of zest and fervour an author pens a book - fiction or no-fiction, and it is followed by the strenuous search for a prospective publisher. After all the related travails and traumas, when at last the book gets published the writer feels immensely relieved and elated. But, then starts the eternal wait for someone to write a review - if not elaborate, at least a brief one, on his/her work. This 'someone' should be one who cares enough to not only read but introduce the volume to other prospective readers, giving glimpses of the work's merits and demerits, critically evaluating the work. If this someone happens to be very subjective and prejudiced -that's all.Thankfully, the articles of the author of this book are written in a gentle and unbiased manner, highlighting the salient features of the books introduced by him. He does mention the lapses and shortcomings in the works concerned and also of the general climate prevailing in Sri Lanka and other parts of the world in Literary Writing in English and in the field of Translation, but he does it in a composed and objective manner.As one who writes in Tamil also, I wish his critical writings in Tamil on Tamil Literary Scene too get published(maybe, they are already there!). I thank Mr.K.S.Sivakumaran, the author of this book for giving me the opportunity of publishing the second edition of this prestigious volume through my small but sincere initiative called Anaamikaa Alphabets.RegardsLatha Ramakrishnan(ANAAMIKAA ALPHABETS)15.06.2019
