Journalist Adarsh Onnat, who met him before he was recognized as he is today, shares his memory with him ten years ago. To Adarsh’s Facebook post:
Shehan Karunathilaka and me
2011 Basso is something else. It’s just before noon. Shehan Karunathilake was seated in one of the tinnas of the Kanakakunn Palace. I brought a small camera and walked around the area taking pictures. At the time I was working on a new magazine. It’s time to step forward and write something. Karunathilake was approached by the then editor and then by dear friend Sabeen Iqbal. His first novel, Chinaman, was presented at the Kovalam Literary Festival. I also bought one of the books. I remember that the dear friend who gave him the money has not paid it back yet. Sabine needs a photo of the elderly to accompany the interview. A banyan tree can be found under the Kanakakunn palace. She needs a photo sitting under it. I went to him and told him.
He got up and came with me in the style of an old man. He told me how to get the image. Pulli sat down like that and made tarika. After that, we both talked and went to the palace.
“My editor said you don’t like this book”
“Happiness”
“What makes you love to write”
“He read when he was younger. He will be”
I laughed. I wondered then, how could he have learned all this English?
“Can you sign the book for me?”
“What happens next”
He signed the book for me.
“I didn’t have the money to publish this book. I couldn’t help but take the book. “
“And how did you buy it?”
“Money borrowed from his girlfriend”
“Ah! Having a girlfriend is of some benefit. “
Shehan laughed.
“Adarsh, I want to buy a gift for my wife from this city”
“Prize?”
“What if I bought a sari”
“Where to go”
“If I can sit on the bike, I’ll take it with me”
“Hey! I don’t want it. I think we can fix the cart if we tell the people at the festival”
Shehan and I broke up. She said handing him a coffee powder colored business card before leaving
“The photo should be sent. You can also use this email to talk about anything “
I smiled and took it.
“I also want to be a writer,” I said
Shehan turned and smiled. And so we broke up.
Ten long years later. Shehan didn’t write anything during that time. Otherwise, nothing written became a book. But the news about him was known. In between, he is known to have written children’s books. He returns in 2020 with the novel Chats of the Dead. Shehan returned to Thiruvananthapuram just before Covid, this time for the Mathrubhumi Sahitya Festival.
We also met that day. Shehan was listening to a literary session on the right stage of Kanakakunn. I went over and refreshed my old memory. You have a short memory.
I asked what the reason for the delay was in writing. He said it would take me at least ten years to complete a book.
Shehan doesn’t remember what gift he bought his wife that day. Bought something. It must have been Sari
“I kept that business card”
“Ah! Are you surprised?”
I will be back soon
“See you in another ten years with a new book”
“Well, I have no idea what will happen to this country then”
Ah! Shehan said.
We broke up that day. That day she also signed the new book.
He said to write from time to time.
I also said that I can see and write.
Shehan Karunatilaka won the Booker Award this time. The award is for his novel The Seven Moons of Mali Almayda. This award will surely bring new light to Sri Lankan English literature, which has contributed to many brilliant writers.
However, I don’t think I’ll have to wait another ten years. Shehan will arrive in Thiruvananthapuram early next year. Old man, Kanakakunn himself. This time, he will come as a literary superstar. There were readers and gossip everywhere. Although we can’t meet Shehan who is alone in a corner like in the past, this time we have to go and see him.
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