Janaka Seneviratne writing for Ozlanka

One of Peradeniya University 's best known poets has recorded that its God -given natural setting is particularly beautiful in two months of the year; that is when nature's festoons of flowers hang overhead. These are the months of Durutu and Bak, which correspond to spring in colder climes of the world's north. Allowing for our location Down Under, by coincidence the Annual General Meeting and festivities of the Peradeniya University Alumni Association of New South Wales, held on 30 August, the very edge before we leap into spring, was decked with chrysanthemums and jonquils. These were the beautiful table flower arrangements done in the maroon and gold of Peradeniya University . It was indeed a splendid recall, vicariously, of that lovely fragrance of old, for the two hundred and fifty alumni gathered that evening at the Thornleigh Community Centre.

The business of the agenda and the election of office bearers being quickly and smoothly completed, we had an entertaining word picture of “ The lighter side of Peradeniya in the fifties ” delivered by an alumnus of about half a century ago, still, un - surprisingly, brimming with wit and energy. Sinhala and English music items followed and then a light dramatic skit about the “ How you going today, mate!” encounter of a Peradeniya external degree graduate, just arrived in Sydney , relating it to a Peradeniya internal/residential graduate also just arrived. It concluded with a curious analogy of a residential degree to natural childbirth with all the travails and pleasures of emerging from a womb. An external degree was likened to a Caesarean, where you go to the post office, slit open a package from the Peradeniya Administration and extract your degree!

Another lively musical item was followed by a most entertaining yarn from life at Marcus Fernando Hall in the mid sixties. A violin recital by the daughter of an alumnus then gently soothed us back, but only to experience surge again in Tamil song renderings of terrific rhythms and bursting energy from an Engineering Faculty alumnus and his group. These not only showed us how far Tamil music had travelled from the strict classical mould of old, but reminded all of us that though the old University College in Colombo had all the communities within it, these were limited by a homogeneity of English speaking elite colonial culture. It was indeed Peradeniya that was the first large valley of integration that brought in all the communities from the remotest parts of the island, to get to know each other through thick and thin. At the very beginning of the evening, the gathering was moved when the President reminded that this was a sometimes forgotten crucial role that Peradeniya has played, and will still fulfill when difficult times are over.

Reggie Dissanayake, a well known and talented friend of the alumni, rendered some Sinhala songs that were truly captivating and professional.

During a sumptuous dinner with all “the Flavour(s) of Ceylon” more songs were provided by our own alumni artists. As well, significant clips from the movie “Hantane Kathawa” filmed mostly on the Peradeniya University campus created dramatic moods of return to a much loved location.

Just before the final item a committee member gave an interesting and warm vote of thanks and a raffle and entry draw threw up fabulous prizes.

Finally our Master of Ceremonies who had been ably holding the movements of the evening together, and now proven to be invaluable through all our gatherings since inception, announced the climaxing event of free form dancing with music by the “Night Walkers”, which burst forth as if to announce that Durutu and Bak were indeed here !

Click here to view the 50 photo album