"Ummath" Highlights The Struggles During The Sri Lankan Civil War

Ummath highlights the struggles that the people had to face during the Sri Lankan civil war through the lives of three women, Thawakkul, Yoga and Theivanai.  One a social activist, the other a Tamil Tiger forced into joining the movement as a child, and the third a disillusioned fighter for the Eelam. An excerpt from Yoga's story:

The last moments that she had spent with her Appa came back to her mind. With his face unshaven since a few months, his rough untrimmed beard covered his face. With an involuntary tic, his tired eyes, his sunken cheeks and his emaciated stick-like body, he had come to see her at the training camp. As soon as he saw his daughter with her thick luxuriant hair cropped and wearing a shirt and trousers, he beat his forehead with his palm. As it was a place that belonged to the rebel movement, he was unable to give full vent to his feelings; he sobbed quietly as if his hardened heart was about to burst with its suppressed feelings.

‘What have you done, child? It was for your protection that your mother left you in the house in town. How could you disappoint us all like this? Your Amma is wailing back at home, refusing food or water!’

That was the day when she realized that her father could cry. But as soon as the word ‘Amma’ had been uttered, her whole being filled with rage. ‘Amma! Don’t talk to me about her … It’s because of her that I’m in this state today. Appa, tell her that I will go to the battle-front and hopefully die soon. Even if I die, I don’t ever want to go back home. A mother is someone who protects her child come what may. Isn’t that how it should be? And as for you, in what way are you a good man…Is what you did to me fair?’

He felt as if heavy rain-bearing clouds were battering at his heart. He had always thought of her as a little girl. He was puzzled to see that she had learnt to talk like this. Every word of hers pricked him like a needle. Does she not realize that it was the family’s circumstances, reeling under insurmountable problems – when we could not manage anything – that Pathma took the decision and I went along with her? I never even imagined that it would lead to such disastrous consequences!

Every word of hers pricked him like a needle. Does she not realize that it was the family’s circumstances, reeling under insurmountable problems – when we could not manage anything – that Pathma took the decision and I went along with her?

As Yoga had voluntarily joined the freedom fighters, the unit had permitted Subramaniyam, her father, to visit her. Youngsters who had been conscripted were translocated swiftly and often. They would be trained in places that were far away from their home towns.

Yoga came back to the present with a start and quickly wiped the tears from her eyes when Amma suddenly pushed open the door and entered. Though Amma had made an effort to wash off the grime and fatigue of the journey from her face, her face, still wet, looked sad and care-worn.

‘What are you doing here, child? This is Vathsala’s bedroom. Come away at once!’Pathma commanded bitterly, and hurried out.

Yoga had realized in Vavuniya that Amma’s anger had in no way abated. She had written several letters home, earlier, during her stint in the Pampaimadu camp. When four letters went unanswered, she told herself that her folks must have moved to a new home because of the war. Why, there was also the strong possibility that they had all been killed!

When four letters went unanswered, she told herself that her folks must have moved to a new home because of the war. Why, there was also the strong possibility that they had all been killed!

The answers to the question of what the next step in her life’s journey should be seemed to be totally obscured. The past had ebbed away swiftly and the present was baring its fangs in an ugly smile. Just when she had begun to think that the dark phase of her life was finally over and hope flickered for a better tomorrow, all possible doors leading to that utopia had slammed shut. No astrologer, political pundit or diviner could have foreseen such political upheavals that had changed the course of her life forever.

When her series of letters home had elicited no reply, she became the object of everybody’s pity at the Pampaimadu Rehabilitation Centre. Therefore, when she asked the authorities at the Centre if she could stay on there, they agreed immediately.

And then her fifth letter was answered.

Akka, we had all imagined that you had died in the war. When we got your letter, we were overjoyed. We are very eager to come and see you, but we need money to travel to Vavuniya. If you could tell us exactly when they will release you, we’ll come to pick you up.Please don’t feel sad that we haven’t come to see you. Amma does not have money. But she will somehow make arrangements to come and get you. Have courage…

Picture Credit: HarperCollins Publisher India

Extract published from Ummath by Sharmila Seyyid and translated by Gita Subhramanian by HarperCollins Publisher India, Pages 360, Price Rs 499.

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