An Analytical Study on Funny Boy written by Shyam Selvadurai regarding the reasons for the Ethnic Conflict in Sri Lanka

Introduction

At present, the universities and academics have an important role to play in responding to the present needs of the war torn region of Sri Lanka, which has undergone bitter war experience for many years. Hence, in the post-war context, an important aspect of the rebuilding process is to build capacity in different disciplines. Ethnic crisis, which comes under the scope of Social Sciences, is a very significant issue to be discussed regarding the theme of the JUICE-2012. It is a well-known fact that 30 year prolonged war in Sri Lanka was entirely based on the ethnic issue, which resulted in an immense calamity accompanied by huge bloodshed.

 Shyam Selvadurai’s novel, Funny Boy comprehensively highlights this social problem with his life experience in Sri Lanka. He has indirectly emphasized some important facts for emerging such a tragic and violent situation in the country. If both Sinhala and Tamil people can realize the facts highlighted by the author of the novel with great sense, such bloodbaths and violent activities can easily be averted within the country in the future. This is an absolute need in the post-war context. Therefore, the main purpose of the present study titled, An Analytical Study on Funny Boy written by Shyam Selvadurai regarding the reasons for the Ethnic Conflict in Sri Lanka is to make both Sinhala and Tamil communities aware of the possibility of implementing the author’s observations mentioned above regarding the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka.

 Research problem

The Research problem in the study is to find out whether the author of the novel, Funny Boy Shyam Selvadurai has observed the reasons for the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka in a realistic way and can his observations be implemented to avoid such issues,   which may occur again in the future.

 Objective

The objective of the study is to ascertain whether Shyam Selvadurai is correct in his observations and creating a favorable environment, in which both communities will be able to live harmoniously shedding all communal grudges and differences.

 Methodology

Methodology applied in the study was entirely based on the secondary data, both print and electronic media. Relevant critical essays and articles on Funny Boy written by various critics were closely investigated. Some comments made in journals, magazines and newspapers regarding the ethnic conflict were also examined and analyzed.

 Results, Findings and Conclusions

According to the analysis of the novel, Funny Boy, it was found that Shyam Selvadurai has indirectly suggested that intermarriage system is an appropriate solution for the ethnic conflict prevailing in Sri Lanka. His reference to the love affair between Anil and Radha Aunty substantiates this fact. Radha Aunty’s mother is dead against this affair as her father was killed by the Sinhala communal minded people. The writer emphasizes that such grudges are the main barriers for the intermarriage system in Sri Lanka. Anil’s father has the same attitudes towards the Tamil people. Their violent behavior in the quarrel indicates it apparently. Interviews with selected Tamil and Sinhala people and observation of their behavior also prove that some have harbored deep grudges with each other.

It was also found that communal minded Sinhala people were violent and aggressive in communal mobs. Through interviews and observations, it was revealed that they were so violent   and harassed the innocent Tamil people. Selvadorai seems to have observed this pathetic situation through his novel. In the novel, Radha Aunty is inhumanely assaulted by a communal minded mob while travelling by night mail. As a result, she is critically injured and her arm is fractured. Ultimately, she is also compelled to be biased with her mother. Eye witnesses, who had travelled by the same train, confirmed this fact. Such violent activities were revealed through both interviews and observations.

Jagan in the novel is an LTTE activist, who later leaves their movement and comes to the southern part of Sri Lanka so as to become a good citizen. But, communal minded Sinhala people hardly forgive him. As a result, he is compelled to go back and it is assumed that he will rejoin the LTTE.

 In conclusion, it is apparent that some Sinhala people are not prepared to accept the favorable resolutions put forward by the author of the novel. This is really a pathetic situation as far as Sri Lanka is concerned.  The researcher's findings is one of the solutions based on the macro frame of the novel.

Reference

1. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funny_Boy
2. www.amazon.com › ... › Literature & Fiction › Fiction › Gay
3. www.goodreads.com/book/show/111389.Funny_Boy
4. www.amazon.ca › ... › Literature & Fiction › Fiction › Short Stories
5. www.quillandquire.com/authors/profile.cfm?article_id=1083
6. Cinnamon boy by Stephen Smith