Siri Gunasinghe

GUNASINGHE, Siri February 18, 1925 - May 24, 2017 Siri Gunasinghe, (Docteur de Université de Paris, D.Litt, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, D.Litt, University of Sri Jayawardhenepura, Sri Lanka), Professor Emeritus, Department of History in Art, University of Victoria, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2017, with his loving family at his bedside. Prior to coming to Victoria in 1970 on the invitation of the late Professor Alan Gowans, then Chairman of the History in Art Department, to design and introduce courses in South Asian Art History (History of Buddhist and Hindu Art), he was a Professor of Sanskrit Literature at the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Though he never abandoned his interest in and love of Sanskrit poetry and poetics which nourished his own poetic insights, his post-graduate work at the Sorbonne in the early nineteen fifties saw the transition of his academic interest from Sanskrit literature to Art History - his doctoral dissertation, "La technique de la peinture Indienne d'après les Texts du Silpa," published (Paris: Presses Universitaires de France, 1957), explored Indian Art through the technical texts in Sanskrit. A gifted teacher in both Sanskrit and Art History, his innovative perspectives, sharp insights, engaging delivery and accessibility drew him to his students and colleagues; his many publications bear testimony to his innovative and incisive scholarship. His last scholarly publication, "Sigiriya, Kassapa's Homage to Beauty" written by him in both English and Sinhala was awarded the 2010 Sri Lankan state literary award for best publication. He was the recipient of many awards, among them a Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship and several Canada Council Grants. He was a Senior Specialist at the East West Centre, Honolulu, Hawaii. In Sri Lanka, he was also a ground breaking and award winning poet, novelist, film director and critic, who challenged tradition, shattered the status quo, and paved the way for new directions in all three genres. His trend-setting costume design for the stage and his novel book cover designs inspire young artists to this day. An incisive scholar, inspiring teacher, insightful critic, innovative poet, novelist, film-maker, and creative artist, he was a rebel, and a giant of innovation in the post-colonial Sri Lankan literary/cultural scene; yet he remained a most unassuming and unpretentious man who viewed his achievements, and the rewards and accolades he received, with equanimity and humility, never highlighting them or displaying them. In 2010, the Government of Sri Lanka awarded him the title "Sahitya Ratnaya" (Gem of Literature), the highest literary award for lifetime contribution to the art and culture of the nation. Above all else, he was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. His simplicity, sincerity, humility, grace, and dignity made him an inspiration to his many relatives, friends, colleagues and students who knew him and loved him. He captivated our hearts with his razor sharp wit, his wry sense of humour, the warmth of his ready smile, his measured gentle ways, his generosity and the radiance of his spirit. He loved life and he loved people in a deeply spiritual way that was his own, fed by his deep knowledge, though never overtly declared, of the pali language and of Buddhist Philosophy. While his scholarly/academic persona transplanted successfully in the new Canadian environment, his artistic/creative persona could not thrive in new soil and sought its comfort zone in the cultural and literary environs of Sri Lanka, where he would return again and again, taking every opportunity he could to do so. And, since retirement, he divided his time between Canada and Sri Lanka, escaping the chill of the Victoria winters and the wintry alienation stifling his creativity and spirit. He leaves behind his devoted wife of 56 years, Hemamali (Hemi), his beloved daughter and son, Manju (Mark Martin) and Ravi (Carol) and three precious granddaughters, Serena, Ava, and Hayley, as well as his brother, Dharma Gunasinghe, and brother-in-law, Ananda Goonasekera (Nelun), and sisters-in-law, Jathy Goonasekera (Sri Lanka) and Dawn Goonasekera (Australia) and many nieces and nephews and a wide circle of relatives, friends, colleagues, and students. Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Stephen Roome, Dr. Linda Reid, and Dr. Manjeet Mann, and to Dr. Dorothea Durward for their support and care given so compassionately, with understanding, respect and affection. According to his wishes, a simple, private cremation took place, to be followed by a Celebration of Life at a later date. "…Calling it Death You are fleeing Death's shadow True Death is Life itself Death, steadfast as the Himalayas, Is standing right by you." (Siri Gunasinghe)