AN ASPIRING YOUNG STORYTELLER : ARUNI KALUPAHANA – By SHENAL RAJAKARUNANAYAKE
She is a catalyst who knows what she needs and gets what she wants. Her eyes seek for opportunities and her mind provides the strategies. She isn’t just a writer but an entrepreneur who takes risks to bring novelty. Her obstinate determination to pursue a career in journalism has not only brought her the gift of fame but the courage to stand for what she believes as the truth. Writing is her passion and she believes in continuous improvement. Her soul thirsts for creativity and she is resolute in her battle to bring more. Indeed, she is an aspiring young storyteller who pens according to her conscience.
Let’s talk about your childhood and how did it nurture the story teller in you.
As I have been told by my parents and closed relatives, I have started reading at very young age than a usual kid. Perhaps, my family and the upbringing had been the most influential factor, for which I have a huge gratitude. Since school days, I have been writing and those were only shared among my school mates. As a result, I was elected as the editor of school magazine and it really manured the writer in me. Since childhood, I was never a normal kid and all I wanted was to be different. Even though I was terribly addicted to reading and writing, I never wanted to pursue a career in such a field simply because I wanted to do something new. Although, my decision to choose science subjects over other streams, especially ignoring all the pressures of forcing me to do arts was an impulsive and stern, my passion for writing didn’t stop. Instead it grew in leaps and bounds, where I was able to publish my first book: Kaviya Numba, Sulaga se vith in 2013. Later, Punchi Lily Kumariya in 2015 and Rasthiyadukaara Cinderella in 2017.
Writing could be dangerous, especially when you are passionately in love with words. What are your thoughts?
When it comes to writing, discipline is the key to success. No matter how talented you are, if you are unable to have limits, then it could be dangerous. As a writer, I highly value the concept of self- discipline and accountability towards the content we share. Since most of the writers pen their thoughts as a way of revelation, it is much important to have limits as a control mechanism to ensure professionalism. Yet, there could be some instances where we need to slightly adjust accordingly to cater the needs. Having said that none could deny the fact that writer’s responsibility to stand up for the truth. There could be instances where the truth demands your voice, in such a context I do believe we as writers should stand for what we believe in unison ensuring our core principles.
When writing is done as a mode of self-revelation, there’s a higher probability that it could include a piece of writer’s soul. Hence, writers must be very cautious in selecting the most suited structure, format and language to deliver the story. Further, writing could also be used as a mode of inflicting retribution for somebody. Words could be the cruellest way of taking revenge, hence words should be handled with care with proper due diligence. After all, yes, writing could be dangerous when it is done with no sense.
Does youth of today read seriously anymore?
Yes, youth does. It may not be the conventional way of holding a book day and night, but they are in a different mode of reading where it is undeniable. With the invasion of technology and smart phones, youth is more updated about the society and its changes. If the sole purpose of reading is to gather knowledge, I do believe youth has sufficient opportunities to thorough their knowledge. As a journalist who has been working with youth for many years, I have seen how well they are read. Perhaps this whole argument is raised over and over again due to their lack of responsiveness. Their reading is silent and kept for themselves, they hardly discuss those matters in public. Hence it is unfair to blame or rather label youth as a separate niche market which does not engage in reading because reading could be anything. Further it is silly to judge youth wearing conventional pairs of glasses where reading could be broader than it has been accepted in Sri Lankan society.
If I add some more points to this, I do believe, youth is forefront in reading than their previous generations in many ways. Especially, youth is far ahead compared to previous generations in terms of their viewpoints relating to societal issues. Their points are broader and flexible where they are open to criticism. The dimensions they use to view world are so different and colourful, hence it gives a broader scope to think beyond. Therefore, I strongly do believe you of today are in a novel way of reading.
It is often questioned that millennials are rejecting outdoor protests, or in other words, they are preferably unheard. In such a context, what are your thoughts as a young writer who represents youth?
Well, to a certain extent I do agree with this statement, because there had been many occasions which we as a society would have done better if youth were able to stand in unison. The youth of today reluctant to express their opinions and they are more resilient and move from one to another too quickly. This has lessened the contribution from youth to social changes. Having said that none can deny the impact they had and have brought to the betterment of society. Unfortunately, youth of today has been targeted fearlessly by gruesome politics which I consider as a threat. Youth should be given the opportunity to boldly raise their voices and share their thoughts, knowledge to change the world. Youth should be empowered to stand on their own feet to be more accountable than they are today in social instances. Youth should be equipped with necessary support to fight for justice until its end. Yet, it is pity to see cardboard and keyboard heroes among youth who do not walk the talk. As a writer and journalist, I strongly do believe that we have a huge responsibility on our shoulders to awaken the blind sighted youth and reconnect them with their origins.
Young writers are often blamed for their inappropriate usage of language and immaturity. Moreover, for their effort behind the aspects of marketing. What are your thoughts?
As far as I am concerned, book is a soul-product. No matter how beautifully it is covered or marketed, if the content isn’t nice, it wouldn’t be accepted at any cost. It is true that we as youth are facing a huge challenge of making people read. Hence there are instances we have to add icing to our creative cakes. In a commercial world, where books are considered as a product, we need to consider about its outlooks as well. Yet, it cannot be the sole purpose and I strongly believe our readership is much educated and conscious about their reading preferences. Hence it is utterly incorrect if one thinks readers could be misled by book covers.
Well, when it comes to the language, I have a different point of view. As a person who had been nurtured by our education system, I do believe the fact of technical aspects of language. But as far as I am concerned, writers should be given the freedom to choose the most suited language structure to represent his\her story. According to my point of view, what matters the most is the content and it needs to be considered over other aspects. Technicalities and language structures are auxiliary aspects which must also be considered. Yet writers must be given the sole liberty to come up with their own content to add beauty to this world of literature. Further I also do believe, we must appreciate the beauty of writing in a broader scale than it narrowing down to minor aspects which aren’t really catering the need.
Let’s talk about Rasthiyadukaara Cinderella. How, why and what?
Rasthiyaadukaara Cinderella was in my mind for many years and one-night, way back in 2014, suddenly a thought broke my sleep. “Dreams, dreams, and dreams, unceasing dreams striving hard to survive”. This was the first line and little by little it became a book. Rasthiyaadukaara Cinderella is a half-truth which questions the norms of the society and its issues. It questions the uprooted values and virtues of humanity due to many socio-political activities and issues. It emphasizes the importance of dreaming and persuades readers to chase their dreams unceasingly. As a true believer of dreaming, Rasthiyaadukaara Cinderella is part of myself which I offer to my beloved readers. Indeed, I am beyond blessed to see it being embraced dearly than I ever expected.
2017 September
Pulasthi C. Talagala & Black Pepper
