Please Keep the Tamil Version of Sri Lanka Matha, the National Anthem
Posted on December 13th, 2010
Dilrook Kannangara
It was reported that the Tamil version of the National Anthem would soon become a thing of the past as state establishments, etc, would not sing it. Apparently the former Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike had walked out of a function when the Tamil version of Sri Lanka Matha was sung at a function. This is a very short-sighted move and must be resisted by all patriots. WhatƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s the point in Tamil students singing the national anthem in a language they donƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t understand? How can they inculcate patriotism and love for the motherland if they cannot understand their National Anthem? I humbly appeal to the government and the Cabinet to reconsider this decision and reinstate the Tamil version of the National Anthem with due respect.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sadly the proposal has come from none other than President Rajapakse and was defended by Wimal Weerawansa. Both of them are highly intelligent politicians with a nationalist fervour. It is unthinkable how they can come up with such an unintelligent thing.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In defence of the move Wimal has cited that the Indian National Anthem is in Hindi only although India is home to more than 300 different ethnic communities with 300 languages/dialects. In fact the Indian national anthem is in Bengali. But it does not matter. There are non-Bengalis in India and they still use it. USA, Australia andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ UK are some more examples of united countries where despite a very large number of ethnic communities, there is only one national anthem. However, it is a different case with Sri Lanka. Sri Lankans have opted for three national languages and as such it is prudent to have a Sinhala version and a Tamil version of the national anthem. New Zealand is an example of two versions of their National Anthem in English and Maori.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Those who propose one National Anthem also propose another jovial remedy to overcome the inability of Tamil persons to understand what they sing. They propose teaching Sinhala to Tamils and Tamil to Sinhalese. It’s a good suggestion a century ago. Today it is much more productive if they are taught English instead of each other’s language. This way they would be able to communicate with each other and at the same time find it easier toƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ gain employment. If anyone wants to learn any language voluntarily, it must be encouraged but the general student community should not be burdened with the compulsion to learn a language which would be of little use to them. That time, money and effort can be used to learn technology or commerce that would bridge not only the language gap but also the poverty gap at the same time.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The President entered into record books as the first and only leader to speak in Tamil at the UN. He also spoke in Tamil in election rallies. If so whatƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s the big problem in the National Anthem when sung in Tamil? The rhythm, passion and even most words are still the same as the original Sinhala version. Sri Lanka would be the only country in the world to have a Tamil National Anthem which all Sri Lankans can be proud of. Unless both versions of the National Anthem is sung by the respective ethnic communities, the version with which most in an assembly is comfortable with must be sung. The others can join in with their own version anyway. The way out of this ethnic strife is ethnic integration in the north and east. Then theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ version used there would automatically become the original version with no compulsion whatsoever. Until then the Tamil version must be kept.
December 13th, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Who gave you KAPAN, Karunanidhi?
December 13th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
I am shocked to see this from Dilrook, who is a sensible writer.
The question was first asked by BBC hardtalk man and the gentle Army man he asked gave an innocent answer.
Dilrook,
In NewZealand suddas sing NAnthem in a maouri language. In SriLanka sinhala people sing hinid song without understanding a word. In Singapore Chinese students sing Majulah Singapura without understantind it even though Chinese are the 75% majority. In Australia migrants sing in English with no understanding at all.
Why can’t Tamils sing in Sinhala when most of them actually speak Sinhala ?
Alternatively we should use the Tamil version only- like Singapore doing it, admitting that the country originally belonged to Malay language spoken people – but are we admitting that ?
ModaSinhalaMudali will be very very happy !
December 14th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Dilrook: “Sri Lankans have opted for three national languages”. Sri Lanka has three official languages where business can be conducted in for the convenience of those who do not understand Sinhalese to conduct official business, but one National language which is Sinhalese. According to the President’s proposal all three languages will be taught in schools and as such the Natinal anthem should be in the National language which is Sinhalese. The Tamils can learn Sinhalese if they so desire. There is absolutely no need for a Tamil National anthem. This is divisive politics raising it’s ugly head. I live in the USA and a lot of Sri Lankan children know the National anthem even though they do not speak or undestand the language. Have you heard Sinhalese singers sing Hindi and Tamil songs. Do you thing they undestand the language to sing it? England has a lot of Tamils, enough to tilt the political balance. Will you tell them to have a Tamil version of the British national anthem. USA has a large Spanish speaking population, but no Spanish version of the National Anthem. Please do not behave like a Colombian.
December 14th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
I think there is lot of sense in what Dilrook says, and I support it even as a temporary measure till such time all SriLankans learn Tamil and Sinhala and will able to speak and understand the words in the National Anthem. As Dilrook has pointed out there are 3 National languages in SriLanka, unlike UK and US (do not understand why Hispanic is not a national language in US or German, Italian, Chinese and Greek not national languages in Australia, countries that claim to value human rights so much).
How can we promote patriotism in the short term by making SriLankans sing the Anthem in a language not understood by the participants, when in fact Tamil is also a national language. The decline of buddhist values too is due to similar reasons in that we recite gathas in pali but most of us do not understand what we recite. So, let the Tamils sing the national anthem in Tamil at Tamil functions and Tamil schools and feel the warmth of patriotism, at least till such time the future generations are able to understand sinhala.
However, I believe, at all major functions whether private or Govt, we need to sing in the language of the majority, for very practical reasons and that is Sinhala.
If sinhalese including polticians or persons from other nationalities attend Tamil functions, they may or may not sing in Tamil but could stand to attention and stay silent, like what we see at major sporting events around the world.
December 15th, 2010 at 8:01 am
Well, those who don’t understand should learn Sinhala!
December 15th, 2010 at 9:17 am
In a tiny country like Sri Lanka, it would be wise for ALL to learn the Sinhala Language with English as the link language. Sinhala people could learn a bit of Tamil too, if they so wish.
December 15th, 2010 at 9:23 am
Exactly Fran!
Its time for the Tamils give up the peninsular mentality, learn Sinhalese and integrate into Sri Lanka.
December 18th, 2010 at 3:26 am
If tamils can sing national anthem in Norwegian in Norway, Finnish in Finland, Swedes in Sweden, Icelandic in Iceland, Danish in Denmark, Dutch in Holland, Deutsche in Germany, French in France, French, German and Italian in Swiss, English in England, USA, Australia, New Zealand, French and English in Canada, Malay in Malaysia, Africans, English and Zulu in South Africa and Japanese in Japan, why can’t they sing Sri Lanka’s national anthem in Sinhala.
This is nothing other-than tamil racism. The tamil nadu (tamil country) politicians and tamil racist politicians never allow tamils in Sri Lanka to learn Sinhala language. Language barrier keep us distance. The day tamils give up their anti Sinhala xenophobia and if they ready to learn Sinhala and sing national anthem in Sinhala, we can make our country again the “Pearl of Indian Ocean”.
To Fran Dias ref to your comment: This is a sincere correction hope you will not offend! Sri Lanka is not a tiny country. The population is more than 20 million. Tiny countries are The Maldives, Bahamas, Bermuda, Samoa, Fiji, Bahrain, Tonga, Samoa, Singapore, East Timor, Vatican, Malta, Seychelles, Mauritius, Tahiti, Iceland, Kiribati etc,
Out of 230 countries of the world Sri Lanka is in 52nd place by population. Over 100 Million are top largest countries; over 50 million to 100 million are large countries, over 20 million to 50 million are medium countries. So we are in this category.
December 18th, 2010 at 3:59 am
Well said Sri Rohana.
The list goes on. Tamil Nadu politicians and racist Tamil only politicians in SL will NEVER let Tamils integrate into SL.
On the outward it looks bad to abolish the Tamil anthem but if done it is a very farsighted move. But our politicians always look for short term gain. EVerything should be within 6 years otherwise no way.
If Bandaranayake had stood firm with the Official languages act, do you think Tamils will leave the public service, leave schools, leave universities, leave jobs, leave from interactions with the government? No. They would resist for a while but soon get accustomed to it. This was not given a chance. He signed the BC pact FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER. A completely worthless politician by the name Chelva became a bigshot suddenly making agreements with the PM relating to the nation. And all hell broke lose. Nothing would have happened had it not been signed in the first place.
December 18th, 2010 at 10:52 am
No offence taken, Sri Rohana.
However, I beg to differ with you. I still think of Sri Lanka as a small nation for the following reasons.
(1) Lanka is overcrowded. 20 Million people in an island the size of which is 25,000 sq. miles, with most people living in the SW quarter, it is over crowded. Some areas are reserved for forests, plantations, etc. Wild life is clashing with people. There is severe flooding of Colombo city. People have complained to us that there is no green space in the cities of Lanka. Perhaps we have not yet organised the available space very well. But, right now the feeling is that of an over crowded island. We have to build high rise apartment buildings perhaps in all the cities, which would of course spoil the ambiance of these places.
(2) With Tamil Nadu hanging atop Lanka and throughout the ages harassing this small island, it gives a feeling of insecurity, and adds to its sense of smallness. The Indian govt. plays a double game, pleasing TN one day & next time working with Lanka –
not a very trustworthy neighbor. It’s a case of keeping Lanka off balance. All this adds to a sense of smallness. If the Tamil Nadu aggressiveness & cunning were not present, Lanka would be far happier place.
(3) People complain of feeling claustrophobic when living in Lanka over long periods of time. This is a new phenomenon.
Our ancestors never complained of such feelings ! However, going global in the modern age may have something to do with it.
(4) The story goes thus : Dutugamunu as a small child, was found by his mother one day all curled up into ball shape, asleep. When asked why he did not stretch out and sleep, he said “Mother, the Tamils are in the North, the sea surrounds this island, how can I stretch out” ? This story expresses the vulnerable feelings the would be king had as a child. Yes, Lanka feels much more vulnerable than Fiji, Maldives, though they are smaller in size, as it is placed geographically in an important Sea Route, and therefore desired by vested interests.
I conclude, Yes, the general FEELING generated is that Lanka is a small, overcrowded and vulnerable island.
December 18th, 2010 at 8:39 pm
Dear Fran! Thanks for your reply on 18th Dec, Highly respected and appreciated your comment. This is my view for your comment.
1). The over crowded is not a problem at all Fran. Population should consider as a human resource. Every person had born with a brain and two hands to work. So it is the duty of the society to make them a human resource.
The 20 Million people are not a problem as we think. In Singapore land mass is just 274 Sq.m(100 times smaller to us) but the population is 5 million = 25% of SL population. I agree they have good management system and well planning system. Therefore we also need to manage our population and distribution of population with good planning system.
The flooding is due to unplanned urbanization. At the end of the day it also man made social and economic problem. The whole Colombo economy depends on import and exports oriented service sector. Therefore those who are part and partial of that economy has to live in Colombo, and the end results will be over population and unplanned constructions, infrastructure etc and this is a same problem in large countries too.In India’s Mumbai, Brazil’s Rio, Sao Paulo, China’s Shanghai, USA Kansas, Bangkok, and London had floods isn’t it. Over crowded or floods doesn’t mean that we are a tiny little country.
2) Tamil Nadu (tamil country) interference is a part of their tamil racist expansionism and it is we faced 2500 years throughout the history. Exactly tamil nadu the curse of our country. This is not only to us. Even one of my Mexican friend told me their neighbor USA also same as tamil nadu to us a curse to Mexico. I agree if Sri Lanka were 100 km away from tamil nadu then we would be the luckiest nation in the world. Even Sikkim, Bhutan, Nepal, Kashmir face the same embarrassment from Indian hegemony’s. Best solution is to balkanize India.
3) Claustrophobic is an anxiety or psychological effects and it’s nothing to do with the size of our country. Going global is not the solution for all. Large nations as well as small nations do this as to survival meanings. Millions of Indians, Chinese, British, Russians, Mexicans and Brazilians are going global. All these are large countries. Those who believed and gone global too facing more psychological effects such as discriminations, (racial, cultural, regionalism, status, skin color), disappointments, inferior complexes more than in Sri Lanka. For few it works but not for the majority.
4) We are not that vulnerable as we think. We Sinhala existed more than 2500 on the same scenario. We have to admit that King Dutugemu the Great who saved us from tamil invaders. Then Walagambahu, Mahasen, Gajaba, Vijayabahu, Parakramabahu saved our country from tamil invaders. Again in 1985 – 2005 we were vulnerable with weak western backed rulers and the racists tamil expansionist terrorists. But President Mahinda solved the main problem within Sri Lanka in 2009 May 18th. But still we have to face with tamil nadu racist expansionist political jokers, international tamil bogus refugee terrorists, pro tamil terrorists anti Sinhala BBC, Channel 4, CNN and other bias media, $ greedy NGO’s, INGO’s, Pro- western UNP leadership, Western spy services (embassies) guided journalists, Western backed UNO, UNHR, HRW, Amnesty International, Red Cross etc.
December 19th, 2010 at 8:56 am
Sri Rohana:
All you say is true. I do accept the facts you present as true. Thank you.
However, also please take into consideration the following facts:
(1) The demographics of Lanka have changed since Colonial Rule. The bringing in of Indentured Tamil Labor- ITL – (please note most of these Tamil people are of Dalit origin), by the the Dutch & the British have diluted the Sinhala Nation considerably. The sense of recognition & importance that the Tamils of ITL origins crave is being exploited by various foreign sources, especially India and the west, mostly Britain. Tamil Nadu gains with both India & the west. Therefore TN grows in hidden influence over Lanka, especially N&E.
(2) Your lines “But still we have to face with tamil nadu racist expansionist political jokers, international tamil bogus refugee terrorists, pro tamil terrorists anti Sinhala BBC, Channel 4, CNN and other bias media, $ greedy NGO’s, INGO’s, Pro- western UNP leadership, Western spy services (embassies) guided journalists, Western backed UNO, UNHR, HRW, Amnesty International, Red Cross etc.” speaks volumes. For an island of the size of Lanka to face such numerous problems, it is difficult.
(3) I might add that the psychological factor as to why some Sinhala & Tamil people turn to Conversions (mostly to Catholicism) is to gain a sense of SECURITY, however false. We have to accept that human beings are genetically made for SURVIVAL first. Next they seek PEACE, and after that PROSPERITY. Prosperity is not possible without Peace. However, the western thinking is Prosperity (GDP) first, and Peace may follow ! There is a basic East vs West values clash here.
(4) Inner Peace can be gained only through MEDITATION. But, as a Nation, do we put that first ? Not as far as I know.
The Great Teachers, Buddha & Jesus spoke of the Inner World. If we listen to their true Teachings, we may yet achieve real Peace. I do not care for religion & rituals as such, but I do honor the core Teachings of the Masters, which in all religions boils down to a few truths. An hours Meditation each day by Lankan adults (whatever religion) will bring in the Peace we crave. Prosperity will automatically follow. The Buddhist clergy can play a major role to make this happen.