• The insightful memoir of a veteran Tamil journalist

Among the many journalists of this world in general and Sri Lanka in particular, there are a few who regard journalism more as a vocation than a profession. My journalistic colleague and long-time friend Veeragathy Thanabalasingham is one of those. 

Thanabalasingham, known as ‘Thanam,’ ‘Balan,’ and ‘Singham,’ in this personal memoir, has penned the story of his life and experiences in the field of journalism. I am honoured to have been asked to write this short introductory note.

Both Thanabalasingham and I joined Sri Lanka’s premier Tamil daily Virakesari in 1977. We have remained friends ever since, though I left Sri Lanka in 1988. In recent times, our bond has strengthened further due to the fact that he translates my articles into Tamil regularly.

Singham, as I call him, is a man with decades of experience in several newspaper-related fields. He joined the Virakesari as a 21-year-old proofreader. He moved into the editorial department a few years later and worked as a sub-editor, Parliament reporter, and foreign affairs commentator. 

Realising that he could not progress beyond a certain point at the Virakesari, Thanabalasingham took the bold decision to split from the paper and hitch his wagon to a new star in the Tamil newspaper sky.

Thanabalasingham was an integral part of the pioneering team of journalists who launched the Thinakkural newspaper. Eventually he became Editor-in-Chief. Interestingly, the Thinakkural was later acquired by the owners of Virakesari, Express Newspapers Ceylon Ltd. Thanabalasingham too moved back and functioned as Consultant Editor. After retirement, he remains active, contributing columns to Tamil and English newspapers, and also translates articles from English into Tamil.

In this book titled ‘Pathirikai Thuraiyil En Kathai’ (My Story in Journalism), Thanabalasingham outlines concisely and candidly the history of his life as a working journalist and the experiences he underwent over the past 49 years in that capacity. The book comprises 14 chapters, and these have several insightful sub-headings facilitating easy reading.

The first four chapters are about Thanabalasingham’s arrival in Colombo from Karaveddi in Jaffna, his joining the Virakesari, his shift from proofreading to the editorial department, his experiences in the latter department, and his role as a Parliament reporter.

The next five chapters relate to the Thinakkural. They are about the birth of the newspaper and the part played by him in the exercise, the challenges faced by the new newspaper, his rise as Editor-in-Chief, the methods adopted to develop the newspaper, and the launch of a Jaffna-based edition.

The final chapters are about Thanabalasingham’s return to the folds of the Virakesari amidst changed circumstances; his reminiscences about his mentor N. Shanmugathasan (Comrade Shan), the reputed Communist Party (Peking Wing) leader; and about the author’s writings and various publications.

Incidentally, Thanabalasingham was a loyal disciple and follower of Shan. So great was his devotion to the latter that he once turned down an offer to work in his native Jaffna as an editor because he did not want to leave Colombo where Shan was living. 

In those days, he would visit Shan at least twice a week and spend some hours with his mentor. My introductory meeting with the Maoist leader was through Thanabalasingham, who first took me along with him to Shan’s residence at Schofield Place in Kollupitiya. 

While the book would be of interest to journalists, aspiring journalists, and those interested in newspapers, it is also an important chronicle about the politics of Sri Lanka perceived through the prism of a Tamil journalist. It also sheds much light into the inner workings within the Tamil journalistic realm.

This book, therefore, is a valuable addition to the growing number of books in Tamil about life in Sri Lanka. It is written from the perspective of a Tamil journalist with a ringside view of contemporary events. There are many, many interesting anecdotes of an illuminating nature within it.

Thanabalasingham has been very truthful in writing this memoir. At the same time, he has not been harsh or unkind either. He gratefully acknowledges the help and support provided by many people. The mode of his writing, in the words of Abraham Lincoln, is “with malice towards none, with charity for all”. This is the major plus point of this memoir.

As a friend and fellow scribe whose journalistic cradle was the Tamil newspaper Virakesari, I found the book a delightful read and nostalgic journey. I hope others too would read the book and benefit from  it.

(This article is being published to mark the book launch ceremony which is taking place on Sunday [17] at 5 p.m. at the Colombo Tamil Sangam, located on Rudra Mawatha, Colombo 6)