Paba-Chanchala is a global phenomenon
Posted on April 18th, 2010
Ajit Randeniya
One of the oddities observed during the lead up the presidential election, as well as the general election, was the appearance on the opposition platform of Upeksha Swarnamali, a young teledrama actress, a.k.a Paba and Chanchala; she is a young damsel who seems to have become a legend in her own bath time in Sri Lanka, thanks to the role of Paba she played in an ITN run teledrama series.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Paba was hard to miss, not only because she happened to be the only ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”artistƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ on FonsekaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s side, and then on the UNP side. Now, she is the type an ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”ockerƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ Australian might describe as a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”vixenƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ or a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”good sortƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢, and a typical Yankee, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”eye candyƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢! This writer has it on good authority that Paba is called ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Goddess of LoveƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ at Gampaha, justifiably one might say, and ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”many other thingsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ according to a scribe at the Lakbima newspaper; one can almost visualise the glint on the finger tips of the scribe!
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This writerƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s research, aroused by PabaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s nondescript, cosmopolitan appearance that is any thing but Sri Lankan, revealed that she is born and raised in Kuwait. She cannot be blamed for that. She has entered the public arena, in true MTV fashion, through a music video.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ During the election campaigns Paba complained that her character in the drama series that made her famous was being ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”written outƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ as punishment for joining the opposition; thankfully her character seems to have been ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”re-birthedƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ to every oneƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s relief; many pot-bellied, bolding, middle aged male UNP supporters whose diaries are ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”booked outƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ for the year at the telecast time of ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”PabaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ would have found more relief, more often, than the rest!
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The next we heard of Paba was when she was announced winner at the general election of a parliamentary seat from the Gampaha district on the UNP-led UNF ticket, polling 81350 preferential votes, the second highest.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The Lakbima editor says Paba may be our future, and this writer is one with him on that; but it is important to assure the reader that the proclamation of Paba as our future is not driven by immoral self indulgence alone. The more relevant issue is her strong showing at the polls showing that the values she represents have found resonance with the limited number of remaining UNP supporters, signifying an important sociological development. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ You see, Paba represents, and symbolises, the face of the emerging ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”global cultureƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ By way of simplifying the concept, for example, if this writer happened to see Paba crossing a street in any cosmopolitan city of the world, for the life of him, he would not have imagined Paba being Sri Lankan.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Paba is a particularly good specimen of a newly emerging breed of young people whose identity is not based on ethnicity or a unique culture identifiable by dress, mannerisms or comportment, but on the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”global identityƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ promulgated by the fast dying movement of globalisation: they wear particular brands of denim jeans, T shirts, shoes, hair care products and cosmetics, and serve as ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”walking billboardsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ for these products even without knowing it.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Multi national corporations who produce and market the products Paba and others of her background display promote this ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”global cultureƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ as wildly beneficial because it makes the world ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”closerƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢, may be even make them strive together for peace. The political angle is added to the global culture by identifying concepts such as freedom and human rights, the particular versions of these promoted by the US, as shared beliefs and values to be held by everyone. We are told that the US is helping out citizens in Iran, Afghanistan and Iraq to gain control of their own lives and live freely!
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Of course, there is nothing wrong with emphasising freedom and human rights; but who does not? Eastern cultures are founded on these values: the problem arises when attempts are made to promote these values without recognising the fact that no country in the world began to safeguard them before economic development. The ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”pushƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ is purely aimed at destabilising the poorer societies so that the existing hegemony could prevail.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ But PabaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s generation couldnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t know this. In the domain of the likes of Pabas of this world, events such as beauty pageants are used as exemplar of global cultural flow. Such events are falsely portrayed as opportunities to recast national identity in a universalised language of difference and distinction. However, the political economy of beauty allows local production and interpretation only within the narrow semantic frame of the swimsuit!
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The American cosmetics industry thrives on this global culture of beauty. As a result of their having grown up on a diet of US products and propaganda, PabaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s generation is unlikely to be able to appreciate the earlier generation of ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”wholesomeƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ Sri Lankan beauty of a Punya Heendeniya or Anula Karunatileka; Oh No! They wore saris. Nor would PabaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s generation ever hear of the skin purifying qualities of turmeric for example; they will walk straight to the EstƒÆ’†’ƒ”š‚©e Lauder counter at the super market instead.
L’Oreal last year opened a research facility in Chicago, a multi-million dollar ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”The L’Oreal Institute for Ethnic Hair and Skin ResearchƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢, the first of its kind to focus specifically on the ethnic market. The lab’s efforts will centre on skin and hair care needs of people of African descent, Asian and Hispanic consumers.
At the lower end of the market, cosmetics company, Avon, just this week announced that it plans to open a new regional R&D centre in Shanghai, China, which will become its largest R&D facility outside of the US.
But Paba, with appropriate training, can turn her acceptance amongst the Gampaha UNPers to a positive: as the mistress of Horace Walpole, Voltaire and a few other encyclopaedists, Marie de Vichy-Chamrond, Marquise du Deffand, wrote in ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Letters to Voltaire : ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Women are never stronger than when they arm themselves with their weakness.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ A good maxim for Paba to live by!
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
April 19th, 2010 at 1:23 am
Thanks for the article. Paba is the only teledrama I got time to watch, that gives a greater insight to our tragic lives. Though I got no compassion for the current set of artists that contribute to do everything possible to destroy the local culture in unison with their political allies, Paba is a blend of all the good and the evil that you can find in our society today. But I always hated the actor, Paba, who had nothing to call Sinhala in her speech style and behavior, a shameful selection by the director.
A bit of web search and comments found in the local (Lanka) websites revealed a lot more about this pathetic person. I always wondered why this person did not have a surname according to local customs and found an interesting local web comment telling the truth. For those championing multiculturalism, there is a good case study to find how a person born to two ethnic groups becomes a nobody who try to thrive on values that are the worst attached to one of the ethnic groups as proven by this person. I agree with you that global culture is the only culture closest to the nature left to these nobodies as there is no opportunity to go for the natural culture, and wonder why they try to wear clothes, the visual symbol of modern humanity.
There is nothing much to worry as their next generation will be doing the oldest profession that gave birth to them in the first place. This person’s victory suggests a total collapse of values of those voters who could be much closer to life in the wild. Those who exhibit wounds and use them to make a living are beggars, not doctors who cure the wounds. On the same note, I must say that there are many pathetic artists trying to make a living out of human suffering than trying to help find a way out, contributing to more disastrous outcomes like this. When they go for the global (animal) culture, they inspire us to go in the other direction.
Refer, western beauty care, it is a killer that will die a natural death with their global ambitions. A few I know came very close to death due to deadly allergens promoted as natural beauty enhancing elixirs of life given by their gods. Some have given up altogether. Death is a good teacher for the living.
April 19th, 2010 at 1:52 am
Ajit, I am diehard anti LTTE like you and also against how the West tried to save our terrorists but wont agree on certain aspects about Upeksha Swarnamali. Afterall we have to be practical here. We cant be extremist like Saudi or Iran. Look at Saudi and Iran? So many of them go to Thailand on holidays for their gratifications. India may talk of being moral but Kamathipuram is the biggest red light area in Asia. Dont forget how much Chinese youngsters strongly feel like Chinese but they are modern in their dress and way of thinking. So are many other Sri Lankan youngsters who strongly support our president but liberal in their thinking. You can be proud of your country but liberal in other aspects of life.
When you look at Iraq, for example Tareeq Aziz and even Sadam Hussein’s sons. Tareeq Aziz liked fine wines and Udaq Hussain liked many other luxuries.
Afterall globalization of businesses is a part of typical business mindset. Dont forget how many Japanese and Indian companies also operate globally. You can takeup L’Oreal as you wish but still be proud of your nation.
You must understand that today’s generation is very much into Facebook, Youtube and Twitter. We patriots fought so many LTTE bloggers by opening accounts on many websites. We also prepared so many anti LTTE videos. So being modernized and liberal is at one person’s own wish.
I hate all these NGOs vultures. But that does not mean I am conservative in thinking. World is intervowen and yes one liberal thinking has takenover. But world being intervowen does not mean that sovereignity can be compromised.
April 19th, 2010 at 2:00 am
Also Ajit what about the ladies in the Sigiriya frescoes? That shows that our kings also like ladies to entertain them! So ladies dressing in a revealing way is nothing new. Also what about anti Western leaders like Robert Mugabe who live in pure luxury? India also knows that they cant be so conservative and thats why they are liberal today than ever before. Following the hardline like Iran or Saudi will do no good. We all know why do so many of our maids get abused in Saudi? Those men are starved of indulgence, thats why! So sorry Ajit I dont agree with what you say!
April 19th, 2010 at 3:04 am
Kopi Kade is the best teledrama for me after Rata Giya Eththo in the mid 80s
April 19th, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Actors & Actresses belong to the area of Entertainment, not in Politics. Actors & Actresses create a kind of artificial
excitement. They rarely make good politicians. People blindly elect them just because they have familiar faces, whilst
a person who will be a good politician is ignored because they may seem dull or is not known well enough.
For Excitement, Lanka should create her own version of Cirque de Soleil. Lanka is blessed with the necessary animals viz. Elephants, bears, leopards, and the Human talent to create a Circus, big time. We should create our own excitement in the arena of Entertainment without bringing Entertainers into Politics or vice versa. They do not have the expertise to do a good job of it. I recall Gamini Fonseka (who was a decent person, as far as I know) on being elected as Chief Minister of the Northern Province said that he did not even speak the Tamil language. At least, he was honest about it.
In the end, it’s Entertainment & the Market Place that brings the excitement of other cultures and the flavor of other lands. Its for the sale of goods not seen before in the land. Beware of the Snake Oil sellers ! People can be so gullible. We saw how they fell for the Golden Key scams, not knowing what Chas. Ponzi did in USA, many years ago.
April 20th, 2010 at 6:43 am
A response to Weeraya:
Thanks for you rcomments.
1. We certainly don’t want to be extremist. But your examples Saudi and Iran are not necessarily relevant; Saudis are a US puppet regime, but promotes Wahabism, true. But Iran has not done anything extremist. Its just US propaganda. Iran is a friend of Sri Lanka who helped and continues to help us.
2. Going to Bangkok or Kamathipura, liking wine or luxuries are human weaknesses and they have nothing to with being liberal. One can be liberal without those things! Same with the use of modern IT or doing business; ‘Being liberal’ is to do with being progressive in national thinking, but safeguarding our unique culture and heritage. We are one of the rare caountries in the world with a 3000 year civilisation!
3. Sigiriya frescos is art. There is no evidence that women at that time in Sri Lanka or in India where the artists came from dressed like that! Artists, like in Ajantha, are being creative.
Most people succumb to US tricks because they dress them up as ‘progress’ and ‘modernity’. They gain economic and mind control through these. We need to think!!!