Prof. K. Kanapathipillai is an important personality in the modern socio-cultural history of the Thamils of Sri Lanka. Understanding Prof. K. Kanapathipillai, the multi-faceted intellectual and creative artist is a demanding requirement for the formation of multicultural aspect of the Thamil National Culture of the Thamils of Sri Lanka.
The way he treated the issues and his perspectives are great learning for intellectuals, artists and especially for activists who are committed themselves to create a world where people can celebrate differences of cultures and enjoy the pleasure of equality.
Those who are aware of the socio-cultural discourses of the pre and post independent Africa in the 1950’s and 1960’s will simply realize the great value of Prof. K. Kanapathipillai of Sri Lanka.
Though he had not labeled himself as a Post Colonialist or the literary historians of the Thamils of Sri Lanka did not understand or identify him as a Post Colonial thinker and writer but those who are familiarizing themselves with the works of Prof. K. Kanapathipillai and African writers and scholars will simply recognize the similarities between Prof. K.Kanapathipillai and the Post Colonial thinkers and writers of Africa.
Prof. K. Kanapathipillai had negated the authoritatively constructed demarcating lines of low culture and high culture and centre and periphery and he pioneered the portrayal of women characters as powerful personalities through his plays in 1940’s and 1950’s.
The creative skill of his handling of the language of the day-to day life of the ordinary people is the language of his theatre. The plays of Prof. S. Kanapathipillai would be the genuine evidences of Post Colonial Theatre in Thamil context.
It’s a great learning for the youngsters to inherit the blend of creative skill and the analytical power of a genuine intellectual or an artist from Prof. K. Kanapathipillai.
The power of Prof. K. Kanapathipillai was rediscovered in early 1990’s by the new generation of artists and intellectuals and activists.
The daunting question is how and why he was lost in the modern socio-cultural history of the Thamils of Sri Lanka for the last forty years?
Is it not a irreparable loss to the socio cultural history of the Thamils particularly the Thamils of Sri Lanka.
S.Jeyasankar
