• Practitioner Ganwary Premin launches book today (20)

World Puppetry Day is celebrated annually on 21 March, and adding value to this celebration in Sri Lanka this year is veteran practitioner Ganwary Premin, who has chosen the occasion to launch his book ‘Parapuren Parapurata Uruma Wu Hela Rukada Natya Kalaawa’. The book, which looks at the traditional craft of puppeteering, will be launched today (20) in Balapitiya.

In conversation with The Daily Morning Brunch, Ganwary Premin spoke about what made him want to preserve this craft and what went into writing the book. He explained that there are very few books written about puppetry in Sri Lanka. “And the books that have been written are not by practitioners themselves, but those outside the field who consult the practitioners. There is thus much incorrect information within these publications.”

He shared that when these books are referred, these inaccuracies are shared even more. “I have come across many such instances. It’s likely that these errors will keep circulating in future as well. This is one of the reasons I wanted to publish my book, as I wanted to correct the misinformation about this craft.”

Another reason, he said, was his age. At 68 years, Ganwary Premin has stories and knowledge about puppetry that he has gathered since he was just 10 years old. This long journey manipulating the strings of a puppet aren’t known to many. While the book will detail his story, it will also contain a lot of historical and educational information, making it an important resource for those studying puppetry.

He went on to say: “I was born in November 1946. In 1956, a food and agriculture expo was held at Colombo Racecourse. My father took me to this and I was 10 years old at the time. Since then, I have been engaged in this craft, facing many barriers and challenges as well as the good and enjoyable. These are only known to those engaged in the craft and not those who are strangers or outsiders to the field. These are all included in the book.”

He added: “This will be Sri Lanka’s first book on puppetry written by a practitioner – and it could even be the last, though I wish it isn’t.”

Regarding interest from others in the industry to publish a similar book, Ganwary Premin said: “Although many practise this craft, they have not studied it in depth. This is not a criticism in any way, shape, or form, but not everyone can do this. Those who can, should. Writing a book is no easy task. Lecturer Prof. Kamal Waleboda and veteran artisan Dr. Lionel Bentharage have supported me in this endeavour.”

A taxing task

Ganwary Premin shared that he started writing the book in 2018 and even reached a point where a decision was made to release it on World Puppetry Day 2021. “However, we were unable to, and any work related to the book came to a halt, which the Covid-19 pandemic contributed to. Even I contracted Covid-19 and was hospitalised at the Balapitiya Base Hospital.”

He went on to say: “There were many deaths in my ward alone, and while these didn’t make me fear death itself – because death is inevitable – I did realise that if I was to die, this book would never get published. I survived the disease thanks to the medical staff at the Balapitiya Base Hospital, and despite getting back to the book when I had recovered, there were other setbacks caused by a lack of sponsorships or funding. This book finally made it to print through the efforts of myself and my family.”

‘Parapuren Parapurata Uruma Wu Hela Rukada Natya Kalaawa’ is a self-published book, and the author thanked Neo Graphics in Nugegoda for their support in printing it.

“We have several state institutions, committees, councils, and departments, but we received no help from them. If we do receive such support, we can take this forward even more,” he said. When asked if any organisations have reached out about including the book in libraries and making it more accessible to students, he said that this is to be seen after the book is launched.

Ganwary Premin pointed out that he was not trying to over-value the book, saying it was useful mainly to those studying the craft. “Many who choose puppetry at advanced level or university have no one to consult about the craft and no place to witness it. I targeted this gap as well, and this book contains all information they would require, based on all the questions they ask us. I believe that in the future, this book can be an important part of the syllabus.”

Unrecognised value

Traditional string puppet drama or Rūkada Nātya is one of two Sri Lankan crafts included in the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The other is Dumbara Ratā Kalāla.

“In my view, despite recognition from UNESCO, our own people haven’t recognised its value. If this wasn’t the case, the craft wouldn’t be in its current state, would it?” the veteran practitioner inquired. It is his belief that a true craftsperson in Sri Lanka only gains recognition or popularity posthumously. No one really values them while they are alive.

When asked about the generational aspect of puppetry, Ganwary Premin said that most crafts in Sri Lanka were seeing disinterest from the younger generations. “I do not know the reason for this, but many have turned to other vocations. However, I can be happy that with my grandson taking up puppetry, we have had seven generations of our family engaging in this craft, as per my findings.”

He explained that puppetry as a craft had advanced, mainly in terms of tools or technology, with the craft being more advanced during his father’s time compared to when his grandfather was engaged in it. “My generation saw even more advancement, but the craft has now taken a step back, especially given the environment in the country and the lack of a strong economy that would enable us to overcome various challenges.”

He added: “In order to strengthen the craft, the practitioner must be strengthened, and not just financially.”

The future of puppetry

Ganwary Premin also spoke about the title of the book, saying it wasn’t his creation, but a title used in a 1982 article written by the late Prof. Tissa Kariyawasam and was a way of paying tribute to him. “I plan on having this book translated to English so it can go to the international sphere,” he said, explaining that the book contains a photograph that is also included in a German publication titled ‘Rukada’.

The photograph, considered the oldest photographic depiction of Sri Lanka’s puppet craft, shows lifeless puppets on stage, with the puppeteers who bring them to life seated beneath. Ganwary Premin’s grandfather Podi Sirina Ganwary is in this picture as well, and Ganwary Premin said: “The importance of the photograph is that today, none of the practitioners are alive, but the puppets are preserved in a museum in Munich, Germany.”