The Book | Reviews & Links | Press Cuttings | Events & Giveaways | The Author | History | Legend | Sample and Buy | Bibliography

Gods, Demons and Dead Kings: The theme of Magical Realism
TestGallery1/maskblu_Fresco.jpg
  In The Devil Dancers, Nash Tharmalingam considers writing a history of his country: But it could not be a history book, at least not one of the rigidly factual works favoured by western authors. Bare facts and dates could never encompass the Island's personality. It requires a history written in the manner of the ancient Greeks: part Iliad, part Odyssey, in which mythology is used to explain reality. How else could one explain the extraordinary influences that have shaped Ceylon?

  When I tried to explain the element of magical realism in the book, a friend asked: "Is it like Harry Potter?"

  Actually, The Devil Dancers is not a bit like Harry Potter. It is definitely a book for adults. However, I do have something in common with J. K. Rowling, that is, we have both been inspired by classical mythology. The difference is that Ms Rowling draws upon mythological characters while I have used a device common in classical works. This explains historical events as the consequence of supernatural intervention in the affairs of men.

  I believe that this approach is particularly appropriate to the circumstances prevailing in 1950s Ceylon. In his book ‘Legends of People Myths of State', Bruce Kapferer provides several examples of how classical Ceylonese mythology has become part of the political discourse in modern Sri Lanka. Stories from the 6th century Buddhist chronicle, The Mahavamsa, have been presented as irrefutable historical fact with little or no scientific evidence to support them. This is particularly true of the story of Prince Vijaya who many Sinhalese regard as the founder of their race.

  The use of magical realism therefore seemed appropriate when trying to describe the thoughts and beliefs of contemporary Ceylonese at a time when their country was beginning the painful transition from its colonial past to Independence.

  Together with Prince Vijaya, two other legendary characters - Hooniyam and Kasyapa - have particular significance for this period.

TestGallery1/demon-face2.jpg

Hooniyam

  The story of Hooniyam is both fascinating and complex. Modern anthropologists have disentangled the various threads of this myth to reveal a dramatic change in Hooniyam's status in the mid-20th century. Initially a demon whose name was synonymous with sorcery, Hooniyam was subsequently elevated to the status of a god and patron of exorcists. 

  His popularity increased dramatically from the 1940s. This was largely due to the efforts of a Buddhist monk Sri Visuddhananda who established a number of shrines to Hooniyam, often in urban locations. It was not unusual for such shrines to be grafted onto the site of Buddhist temples and one, at Lunava, was frequented by a number of important individuals, including Mr and Mrs Bandaranaike. 
 
Possibly as a result of these influential patrons, Hooniyam's shrine at Lunava attracted considerable publicity during the period covered by The Devil Dancers.

TestGallery1/TempleFlow.jpg

TestGallery1/MaidenColour.jpg