கவனிக்க: இந்த மின்னூலைத் தனிப்பட்ட வாசிப்பு, உசாத்துணைத் தேவைகளுக்கு மட்டுமே பயன்படுத்தலாம். வேறு பயன்பாடுகளுக்கு ஆசிரியரின்/பதிப்புரிமையாளரின் அனுமதி பெறப்பட வேண்டும்.
இது கூகிள் எழுத்துணரியால் தானியக்கமாக உருவாக்கப்பட்ட கோப்பு. இந்த மின்னூல் மெய்ப்புப் பார்க்கப்படவில்லை.
இந்தப் படைப்பின் நூலகப் பக்கத்தினை பார்வையிட பின்வரும் இணைப்புக்குச் செல்லவும்: The Glowing Tributes

Page 3 The moving Finger writes; and, having writ, Moves on : Nor all your Piety nor Wit, Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it. ' From : Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. எழுதிச்செல்லும் விதியின்கை எழுதி எழுதி மேற்செல்லும் தொழுது கெஞ்சி நின்றலும், சூழ்ச்சிபலவும் செய்தாலும், வழுவிப் பின்னுய் நீங்கியொரு வார்த்தையேனும் மாற்றிடுமோ ? அழுத கண்ணீராறெல்லாம் அதிலோர் எழுத்தை அழித்திடுமோ ? Born ; 28-5-1932 Died: 23-5-1979

Page 5 “Thinking of you with an ache in my heart Wondering where you are now without me Striving to smile and to play my small part Living all alonein solitude without thee Thinking of you and the things that we planned The castles we built in the air about our happy home. The Schemes that we made for our lovely children. When the future ahead of us looked so grand. But Selva, in a moment everything was shattered to pieces. And the dreams that just did not come true ' And now What could I expect of life to compensate for the loss of my Precious Selva who had ever seemed to me to be entirely and vitally desirable. Selva, your tragic and sudden demise had made me realise that. - ' Life is a meaningless game played by helpless pieces; that worldly ambitions turn into ashes; that in the end - an end which comes all too quick ly. 9 Your beloved wife Daya.

Page 6 Professor S. Selvanayagam, Tribute to a Scholar, a Colleague and a trusted friend. R. Rees Rawson, Formerly Senior Londos School D. J. Sinclair, Senior Lecturer Undergraduate M. J. Wise Professor of Geography, London. School of Economics President of the International Geographical Union. Professor Somasundaram Selvanayagam began his association with the Department of Geography in the London School of Economics in October 1961 when, as a young lecturer on leave from the University of Ceylon, he spent two years with us studying for the degree of Master of Arts. He came again in 1970 to continue his research which on this occasion led to the award of the Doctorate of Philosophv. While he was with us he was able to build his academic reputation. At the same time his innate ability, his warm yet modest personality and his enthusiasm for the tasks he had undertaken helped him to create lasting friendships with his teachers and colleagues in London. To them, the news of Selva's tragic and untimely death has brought personal sadness and a deep sense of loss. They have lost a friend whose return to Sri Lanka promised much from the scholarly contributions that would have followed with the years. Alas, events decreed that this promise was only partially to be fulfilled. -سسه 83-س--۔ Out first news of Selva came when he was recommended to us by his teachers in Peradeniya as a promising candidate for graduate work. He had entered his home university in 1953 and at the General Arts Qualifying Examination in 1954, had been awarded the Rupasinghe Scholarship. He had always been an exemplary student and it was during his undergraduate career that he began his long involvement with land use studies. In particular, he undertook what was described as a "fine piece of investigation at undergraduate level, writing a report on “The Red Soil region of Jaffna.' This contribution helped to lay the foundation of later research. The field experience then gained was strengthened and a new direction was found during Selvanayagam's first stay in London when he was able to carry out pioneer work on the application of aerial photography to land use studies in northern Sri Lanka. This research led to the award of the MA degree with a mark of Distinction. The Mark of Distinction was rarely given and in Selvanayagam's case was a further indication of his outstanding academic quality. Indeed, but for the pressing need to return to his teaching duties in Sri Lanka, Selva would have been able to extend his leave and develop his initial Studies to doctoral Standards. In his later career, both in Sri Lanka and Ahmadu Bello teaching and administration made heavy demands on his time. But he was a prodigious worker and he lost no opportunity to press ahead with writing and research. In the late 1950's he had already been attached to the Official, Languages Department of the University of Ceylon when he undertook the translation into Tamil of some important geographical texts. The list of such texts grew with the years to include L D Stamp's Commodities and World Trade, Europe and the Mediterranean, E H G Dobby's Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, his own research into the rural economy of Sri Lanka was beginning to be presented in a series of papers which, during the middle 1960s, made an important contribution to geographical literature. He wrote especially for the learned journals in his native country but his work had a wider recognition. This was expressed, for example, in the Agricultural Economy of Ceylon, a monograph for the World Atlas of Agriculture in which he collaborated with Dr. T. Jogaratnam.

Page 7 - 4 But we shall remember him especially for his most distinguished analysis and interpretation of the economy of Dry Zone colonisation schemes. This was work that . he started on his return from London to Peradeniya in 1963 when he was registered for the external degree of Ph D in the University of London. It took many years of painstaking field investigation and brought to light much new information on the relative achievements it productivity of the new colonies and the older Dry Zone villages. Hence, it was our good fortune that he was able to the come to Eondon. School of Economics for a further year in 1970 td present his research in the form of a doctoral thesis. His PhD was awarded to him in August 1971. We followed his subsequent career closely and were delighted to see him and his family in London from time to time. He undertook important consultancy work for the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands and for the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development. We rejoiced with him on his appointment to the Chair of Geography and the Headship of the Department of Geography in the University of Jaffna. Again there were new challenges and much to do in a relatively new campus. There was heavy emphasis on teaching but Selvanayagam was taking steps to develop the research side of his department's activities. He wrote to us with his hopes for the future, outlining his plans, telling us of his own progress in collecting new materials and full of confidence that his book in project would some day be complete. It would have meant much to him and to us to see that hope come to fruition. Where could that have happened more appropriately than in Jaffna itself? What none could foresee was that Selva's life would soon come to an end and that it would be left to others to carry on his work. This is now our hope for the future: that Sclva's labours should be continued and that high standards he set for himself should be matched and followed by his younger eolleagues and students. This would be his wish and worthy memorial. We in the London School of Economics who tried to help him achieve his ambitions will attempt no less within our powers for his successors for in this way we may pay tribute to a scholar, colleague and trusted friend. Professor S. Selvanayagam 1932 - 1979 Reprinted from “The Geographical Journal' November 1979 of the Royal Geographicial Society, Kensington Gore. London. PROFESSOR S. Selvanayagam, fellow of the society and Professor of Geography and Head of Department in the University of Jaffna, died on 23rd May 1979 at the age of 47. Professor Selvanayagam had contributed notably to the study of the agricultrural geography of his country. In his early studies he had applied aerial photography to land use studies in Northern Sri Lanka. He went on to analyse and interpret the economic aspects of colonization schemes in the Dry Zone. This led to important conclusions and was perhaps his central contribution. He later undertook consultancy work for the ministry of Agriculture and Lands and for the United Nations Research Institute of Social Development. As a result of his studies at the London School of Economics Professor Selvanayagam held the degrees of M. A. (with Distinction ) and Ph. D. of the University of London, the latter being obtained in 1971. He translated a number of important geographical texts into Tamil. He also spent a period in Nigeria as Senior Lecturer at Ahmadu Bello Universitv. His friends had hoped that his current research work would have led to the publication of an important book on the agricultural geography of his country and they will be distressed that the promise of this book and of future work from a distinguished geographer has been cut short.

Page 8 AN APPRECATION OF THE LATE Professor S. SELVANAYAGAM BY Mr. B. H. FARMER, Director, Centre of South Asiane Studies University of Cambridge, England. ALTHOUGH I had been aware of Professor Selvanayagam's excellent writings from about 1965, I only came to know him personally when he came to England in 1970, as a research student at the London School of Economics. As it turned out, I was appointed the external examiner for his thesis, which I well remember as a piece of work based on meticulous and painstaking fieldwork and embodying truly indeendent investigation and thought about the problem of econoffic holdings in peasant agriculture in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka. This problem was of great interest to me because of my own earlier work on colonization scheme, and I found Selvanayagam's findings highly illuminating. I kept in, touch with him in the later stages of his career, particularly because of his enquiry for UN RISD into certain aspects of the so-called “green revolution '" ; and was very pleased and encouraged when he was appointed Professor of Geography at the University of Jaffna. It is a great tragedy for his family, for his University and for geography and related studies in Sri Lanka that his life has been cut short in such an untimely manner. He will be greatly missed. Professor S. SELVA NAYAGAM A reputed scholar, a devoted teacher and a humane personality. Professor S. Arasaratnam, Department of History, The University of New England Armidale N. S. W., Ausoralia. The tragic and untimely death of Professor Selvanayagam removes cruelly from our midst a reputed scholar, a devoted teacher, a humane personality and a good friend. Anyone who has had the good fortune to know him, even cursorily, cannot fail to feel a void when hearing of his departure from our midst. To those of us who have known him for many years and who, though circumstances have intervened to put great distances between him and us, have always cherished for him a love and respect, the news of his death was shattering Cne could record many things from a succession of memorable scenes of the past, from Seva as an undergraduate, as a young University lecturer blooming to maturity and scholar ship and as a well-deserved appointee to the Chair of Geography in the University's Jaffna Campus. Memories also come to mind of Selva as a very politically and socially conscious individual caring and worrying about the tribulations of nation and Community. Memories cone to mind of an absolute integrity in a world of fraudulence, of deep piety and devotion in a world of unbelief. In the academic and University life of Sri Lanka, Selva's Dame is inscribed indelibly, though his career is cut short at the time he achieved the pinnacle of the academic profession. Through. the many years he served at Peradeniya, he made a deep contri

Page 9 - 8 - bution to the teaching of Geography, to research in the special problems of land use and farming he was interested in and in general to community life by his personality. As a teacher, he was superb. He was perfectly bilingual and achieved the transition from the English medium to teaching in Tamil with ease and without the least decline in standards or proficiency. He was in many respects, the backbone of the Tamil medium section of the Geography Department. Despite his heavy load of teaching he was able to carry on his research and his writing. He has been abroad several times and has completed finished pieces of research work of high standard, He has published the result of his work in academic journals. For a time he was part of the braindrain from Sri Lanka giving to Nigeria the benefit of his wisdom and expertise. I am aware that he was greatly appreciated the:e and initiated research and teaching programmes that are beneficial to that country. When the opportunity came to return to his mother country, he did not hesitate. Despite material sacrifices he returned to occupy the Chair of Geography in Jaffna, He had great and imaginative plans for his department and I am surë he would have put them into operation in the year or so that he has held that Chair. Occupying the chair of Geography at a young age, it, was clear enough that he had a great future ahead of him. It was obvious that he would rise to great heights in the management and policy-making of the University of Jaffna. That2 institution has now been robbed of one who could have beeni a great Vice-Chancellor at some future date... The Tamil community) has lost one of its proud sons. The nation has lost one who still had many years of service in its cause. On behalf of those of his generation, who have shared in his successes and his disappointments. I salute him. OPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE The University of New Brunswick, Fredricton, N. B. CANADA. 22nd. June, 1979. Dear Mrs. Selvanayagam, I was shocked beyond reason when I heard the saddest news of my life, the death of my dearest and beloved friend Selva. Can fate be more cruel than to remove the most decent and honourable man I have known 2 why must he have had to die so young when he had such a brilliant career marked out for him ? He was one of my best friends, one of the very few, and I often went to him for help and advice. My heart has shed copious tears for my dear friend. I have no comforting words to say except that the good die - young, But that, i very poor consolation. Selva was my friend, my kindest friend, and it is so sad and terrible that I will never meet him again. The last time that I saw him was when, typical of him, he took the trouble to drive all the way to Jaffna Station when we were able to get a glimpse of each other. May the good God comfort you and the children in your sad hour of griefimbe Sincerely, 74. Jeyaradnam Οθilson, ( Professor A. J. Wilson )

Page 10 Dr. S. SELVANAYAGAM, a most worthy unofficial ambassador of Sri Lanka. Dr. Kingsley Ologe, Rander and acting Head, Department of Geography Ahmadu Bello University Zavia, Nigeria, DR, S. Selvanayagam joined the Department of Geogr phy, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria as Senior Lectur in 1974 after a distinguished career as a student and as University Lecturer and researcher in his own country. While he was with us he taught two new intensive region. geography courses - the Developing World and Arid Lands to fin year students. These were courses which the Department he been unable to offer until his arrival. He also shared in t teaching of practical work and the tutoring of Part I and students and supervised many undergraduate dissertations. H teaching was popular with his students and he received speci commendation from one of our External Examiners for his abili as demonstrated in the examination performance of his student He shared most willingly and capably with the rest of us ti administrative chores of the Department. On top of all this managed to continue his research activities and to initiate ne Ones, A hard and conscientious worker, Dr. Selva will remembered by all thoe, who were associated with him for h er â al d e is al e be - I - maturity, his friendliness, his integrity and his concern for the welfare of his students. All of us here in this Department will remember Selva for his warmth, his hard work and dedication to duty and for the progress of Geography at Ahmadu Bello University and in Nigeria, When Dr. Selvanayagam put in his letter of resignation in August 1977, he was being assessed for a readership in Geography. But we were not at all surprised that he wa offered the chair in Geography in the University of Sri Lanka, We bade him farewell with mixed feelings, knowing that we were losing a most valuable colleague but also recognizing that he was leaving to take up a much deserved enhanced position. It came to us as a rude shock when we heard that De Selva was dead. It is with a heavy heart that I, on behalf of his former colleagues at A. B. U. pay my last respects in the form of this message of appreciation to a great man and to a most worthy unofficial ambassador of Sri Lanka.

Page 11 سس. i 4 سهمس Dr. S. Selvanayagam, a very modest, warm hearted and much valued colleague and friend Michael Mortimore, Professor and Head Bayero University Kano, Nigeria, UNLIKE many of his professional colleagues, I ca to know Selva only very recently, when he took up appoi ment as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Geograp) Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. To leave his own country af many years of established professional and family life, and travel to Africa and a completely unknown institution, cal for considerable courage and he adjusted to the change in way that attracted my admiration. He found a working situat that had many problems, and his family had also to ma many adjustments. They all did this with a persistent cheerf ness that Endeared them to all of their friends in the V cosmopolitan community at Zaria. n fact one of Selva's strc points was his ability to get along well with people of ev type of background. e سے nt 1Ꭹ, ter led O) ul - ery ng -13 - This was possible because he had a quiet, unassuming personality which respected other peoples' integrity and yet was backed by professional competence in his field which commanded his colleagues' respect. Since he was a specialist in the geography of South Asia and I have had all my experience in Africa. I never read all his work. But what I did read impressed me, and I know that he also had many friends in other countries who admired his work. As a colleague he was always ready to co-operate in joint activity, and although his experience was considerable, he never indulged in criticism or showed the slightest trace of arrogance when we discussed academic and policy matters in our young and inexperienced Department. This was appreciated. His students, too, liked him and his lecture courses were popular. When he left Zaria, we began to appreciate that he was indeed a very modest, warm hearted and much valued colleague and friend. I greatly regretted that I had not been able to spend more time with him. He left behind more real friends than many of us realize, not withstanding his short stay, and all of us share the sorrow of his wife and family and are grateful for the previlege of having known him.

Page 12 Professor S. Selvanayagam, a colleague, an intimate friend and my Teacher. Dr. Paul Mirchaulum, Formerly Senior Lecturer in Geography Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. FOR all of us at Ahmadu Bello University who kn and worked with Professor Selvanayagam, it is very painful hear of his tragic death. I knew Professor Selva since he joir the Department of Geography, Ahmadu Bello University, Za in 1974. To me he was much more than a colleague but b an intimate friend as well as my teacher. He was, as one the Senior Lecturers then, a most liked teacher and all of had great respect for his simplicity and dedication to duty. was a good example of a senior teacher who was ready encourage his younger colleagues to carry out research : publish the results with faithfulness. eW ed ria oth of He to ind - 15 Ever since his departure from Nigeria, I have never forgotten him and I had always thought of getting an opportunity to visit him, God willing, Alas! He is no more, What a loss I wish I had a book to dedicate to him. All of us in the Department of Geography remember him as one who incver got involved in campus politics but would not hesitate to give his useful advice when called upon to do so. 1 remember very well the role he played in commenting on my Departmental Occasional Paper ( ' ' The diffusion of the ()x-Plough innovation in Lunguda district of Gongola State, Nigeria '' Occasional paper No. 6. 1976). I had always found his advice very objective and useful and I believe that wherever he went, he would have given real academic leadership to his subordinates. All of us at A. B. U. Zaria will long remember his useful advices and contributions to the department. He was really an asset to both the staff and students, May his soul rest in Perfect Peace.

Page 13 Professor S. SELVANAYAGAM a sound Academician, a gifted teacher and a peace-maker. Michael Etherton, Senior Lecturer in English, Department of English Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria. IT was with deep shock and disbelief that those of in Zaria who knew Professor Selvanayagam learned of his tra death in Sri Lanka. He was a friend of mine, and also colleague because although we were not in the same Departme or the same academic discipline, we were in the same Facu of Arts and Social Sciences. Professor Selvanayagam was hig thought of in the faculty and in his Department: a sol academician, a gifted teacher who was respected by his Niger students, and a peace-maker in committees who worked tireles for consensus and harmony during a time when the Univers was seeking for a new direction and a more nationally - commit role. We missed him when he left to take up his chair Geography at Jaffna Campus, but felt glad for his success. wished well and knew he had much to contribute to hig learning in Sri Lanka. As a friend I hoped to see him again soon planned to visit him in Jaffna and now I will not, and as deprived of his genial company and good sense as University of Jaffna must of his professional capability. It a deep irony that he survived the dangerous roads of Nig to die thus in Jaffna which he always told me was so safe. His bereaved family have been very much in our thoug here in Zaria and we offer them our sincere condolences. s lgic :n t, ılty hly Ind ian sly sity ted We her ind eel Ee is τίa hts Dr. S. Selvanayagam Always remembered as a fine personality Bernard J. Buntjer, Rankum Netherlands (formerly of the Institute of Agricultural Research, Samaru, Nigeria.) I met Dr. Selvanayagam at one of these occasions at which children form the bridge between people, borders and even continents. While waiting till the children had finished a party we happened to start a conversation which proved to be the beginning of a friendship. Both of us were involved in aspects of development work in a country foreign to us. Both of us shared emotions of similar kind in our work that brought us into eontact with a new yet receptive culture. In as much as we had common motivation, we ourselves were from different backgrounds. Yet this fact did not create a 8ap but on the contrary worked towards an enriching exchange of views and opinions on a variety of matters. At various occasions our families shared the pleasure of being together,

Page 14 Dr. Selvanayagam had an open mind. He was recep to views dissenting from those he held himself. He had enchanting way of making you listen to him and to listen an idea new to him. There can be no doubt that he n have been able to inspire his students to approach world in an open spirit recognizing that different views do necessarily lead to antagonism, indeed may not lead antagonism, His own character and his professional field interest must have contributed to this attitude. Recently I met a lady from Sri Lanka who prese, follows a course in The Netherlands. I told her we had frie in Sri Lanka and I ventured to ask her whether she knew . Selvanayagam. She turned out to be one of his students fi Peradeniya before he went over to Nigeria, She was aware t he died in an accident. It was nice to hear her speak ab him with admiration. I think it had been Selva's chara. which must have created a great many people who remem him as a fine personality. We remember Selva because of his friendship. This frie ship was only possible because of his human approach whichever problem he was exposed to and to whoever brou the problem to him. May that attitude be a source of i piration to all those who have had the previlege of know him. tive to aust this nOt. tO of ntly nds Dr. hat Out Cter ber nd to ght nဇီing RSPECTED AND LOWED BY HIS COLLEAGUES Robert Nation, Winnipeg, Canada. ( formerly of the Department of Mathematics A. B. U. Zaria, Nigeria,) Helen Nation, Winnipeg, Canada. ( formerly of the Institute of Agricultural Research, Samara, Nigeria. :) DR. Selvanayagam was known to us when we all served at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. There he was a strong, responsible member of the Department of Geograly at a time when conditions were not easy in the department. He was respected and liked by all his colleagues, and hic and his wife made friends of all nationalities within the international Community of the University. We were fortunate to be able to renew acquaintance with him and his family on our visit to Sri Lanka in January 1979. We remember that visit with gratitude for the enthusiastic welcome he gave us, and his concern in taking us around the

Page 15 -20 area to show us its interesting historical sites, and espe his sharing with us his knowledge and understanding of Ordinary farmers and their activities and efforts, We en his enthusiasm for the countryside and his pride in the Un sity of Jaffna. He was also devoted to his fine family and it wa great pleasure to visit their happy househcld. Dr. Selvanayagam is remembered and his tragic, until death is mourned by friends all around the world. We W like to quote the following words : ' ' To our friends and loved ones, we shall give the 1 worthy hononr and tribute if we never say nor remember they are dead, but rather that they have lived, that the the brotherly force and flow of their action and work may carried over the gulfs of death and be made immortal in true and earthly life which they had worthily used. The dead are not dead if we have loved them truly. our own lives, we give them immortality, Never are our lo ones so powerful to influence and inspire us as after death withdrawn them from us. Then we feel with a new inter the elements of sweetness and love in their lives. Then take their place like stars in a region of purity and peace.' ;ially the oyed iver mely ould most that reby be the In )ved has SitᎩ hey lATE PROFESSOR S. S EL V A NA Y A G AM erit Professor S. Vitthian anthan Vice - Chancellor, Jniversity of Jaffna, Jaffna, IT is almost years since we lost SELVA one month after I lost my wife. As far as the University is concerned, it will be long before, we, can see the like of him. Professor Selvanayagam's success as a Lecturer was due to his passion for teaching and his interest in his subjects - two factors which have always put a halo round the most humble of University teachers Dayanithy - within the last one year you have had the courage to build a house and educate your children in the manner which Selva would have wished. I would end this message with a quotation “One does not solve problems; one must earn to live with them . These words are reported to have been said of General de Gaulle of France when he was con fronted with the problem as to what plans he had, to solve the Algerian issue. I can never forget the smile on his face as he passed my room at noon on the 23rd of May to go home.

Page 16 9Professor Selvana цаgат الح Pioneer of the University teaching programme of Geography in the Tamil Medium. Professor H. N. C. FONSEKA, Department of Geography University of Colombo. I have known late Professor S. Selvanayag both as a student and as a colleague on the st of the Department of Geography, University of Ceyl Peradeniya since 1954. Selva has throughout been a very good stud of Geography and an excellent teacher. He pionee the University teaching programme of Geography the Tamil medium in 1960. He has made valua research contributions in the field of Agricultu Geography pertaining to the Dry Zone of Sri Lanl His publications are a lasting memory to his schol ship. Personally Selva has been very sincere a extremely helpful to his colleagues and students ali His untimely demise is a great loss to advancement of Geography in Sri Lanka and has crea a void among us, his close friends, which can ne be filled. al aff Oil, ent red ble SELVA - A MAN OF ACTION Professor T. Jogaratnam, ept. of Agricultural Economics University of Peradeniya, l’eradeniya. THE news of the death of "Selva'", as he was always known to me, came as a rule shock. I was out of the Island at the time of the tragic incident and when the news reached me through another friend, it was beyond my comprehension. It was only after my return about a month later that I heard the ful facts and to this day it is difficult to think that Selva is no more amongst the living. It was a long time ago that we first met and from the very first the chemistry appears to have worked. Our major interest was in the field of Agricultural Development and this brought us even closer, I have been with him through his troubles aud triumphs and he has shared in mine. In the academic field we worked closely and had vast plans for the future. A modest beginning was made and it was. God's Will that it should not reach fruition. Selva was a man of action, a go-getter if there was one. his achievements were still to come and it is an irony of fate that he departed this life with promises uufulfilled. His wife and children were equally c'ose to us and one can never forget his deep devotion to his family and his concern for his children. One cannot offer them any consolation except to hope that God will provide the necessary strength to go through life without Selva by their side. °-“.“---oxo

Page 17 PROFESSOR S. SELVANAYAGAM, - An eternal pride to our Alma Jaffna Hindu College. M. RASANAYAGAM, Assistant Secretary Presidential Secretariat Colombo IT is extremely difficult and even more painful those who have had the good fortune to come into contact v :Selva' to get reconciled to the fact that Professor Selvanayag or. Selva as he was affectionately called is no more. He a personality that was charming, so throbbing with dynamic and liveliness, a disposition that was warm, friendly endearing, an appearance that was slim, prim and proper youthful, a heart that was ever so generous and a genius was amazing. Having had the blessing of being closely associated \ such a man as a friend and collegemate for so many years, feels an unbearably painful wrench of heart when one has prefix his name with the phrase “ The late' Selva had his education at Jaffna Hindu College, Alma Mater. Selva always knew and had said on quite a m for with had life tmd ind hat ith one tỏ - 25 (cension that he received his real education at Jaffna Hine. He left Jaffna Hindu fully equipped to build up on his own the intelectual and cultural edifice that he turned out to be, to the eternal pride of his Alma Mater, his teachers n nd college mates. After spending couple of years at Zahira College, Colombo, Selvanayagam entered the University of Ceylon reradeniya, He did the Geography Special course and on obtaining the degree did a short stint at Official Language Departit nt which gave some scope for his intellectual and linguistic talents of rare calibre, He soon returned to the university of Ceylon, Peradeniya to teach. While there he obtained his Master's and Doctoral degrees at the London School of Economics. Sometime later, in 1974, Selva went to Nigeria to teach in a University there. It was when he was there that the Geography chair at the Jaffna niversity was offered to him. He grabbed the offer though the post had no pecuniary attraction and though the Jaffna University, was still a toddler because Jaffna was always close to his heart. He did a yeoman service at the Jaffna University organizing the geography department starting from scratch, so to Nay, contributing to other departments and guiding the Hindu Students Union there. Like a brilliantly glowing meteor, he flashed across the mid-heavens of the Jaffna University, but unlike a meteor which Nets without a glow, Selva had the brilliant glow right to the moment he went out of existence and his physical remains were cremated, Nay, the glow, the dazzling, brilliant glow, has but lived his existence; it is still there Professor Selvanavagam was very successful as a scholar and teacher. The legion of his students will bear testimony to this. He was an authority alike in Geography as in Tamil Language, Literature and culture, Civilization and Philosophy. This might sound and look

Page 18 - 26 - queer and difficult to those who have been nurtured in used to an intellectual and cultural atmosphere as has preva in and permeated in Jaffna Hindu. Just a month or so be his untimely and unwarranted demise, he with his charn personality and beaming smile adorned the Jaffna Hindu Col Old Boys Association Annual General Meeting, got elected one of our eminent, and distinguished Vice-Presidents and lunch with us To us fellow Old Boys of Jaffna Hindu, the wan killing of Selva by the cruel and lifeless nature of things is tormenting, agonising thrust into the heart of being as it infinitely more so to his dearly beloved wife Dayanithy. Y Selva and Dayanithy were an ideal Couple. Bonded toget. by a unity nay identity. of purport and feeling, they w through the thick and thin of life, through fair weather a foul, up the rocks and down the depths, always a shin example of what a family, what a couple should be, alwa jointly beaming with a charming smile. It will be always a forever be the lasting torment of Dayanithy that Selva did r live to see the bloom and feel the fragrance of the achieveme: of their children. To these tender children, the loss of th father is an irreparable one. To Dayanithy however, demise of her everything into which she fused two decades bac means the annihilation of all sense and meaning of life. Nobo can console her. Nobody can share her bereavement. Just Selva, the gentle but steadfast and sincere lover, the adoring a protective husband, the hero of achievements was hers exclusive so is this cruel and unspeakably tragic bereavement. May 1 strength of her love for Selva and children are hers and t they are with her to look after and be looked after. ( Reproduced from Jaffna Hindu College Old Boys' Associati Colombo branch Souvenier.) and illed fore |ing |ege 3S had CS ent yŞ எனது இனிய நண்பன் செல்வா மு. ஷரீப், பிரதம கல்வி அதிகாரி, Aல்வித்திணைக்களம், 1ன்னர். “ஆண்டவனத் தவிர யாரையும் தேசியாதே' என்ற பெரியார் அறிவுறுத்தல் என்னைப் பொறுத்த வரையில் பெரிய உண்மையாகி விட்டது. கல்லூரிப்படிப்பின் போது ஏதோ ஒரு சக்தியினல் பிணைக் கப்பட்ட நானும் செ ல் வா வும் இருபத்தொன்பது வருடங்களாகத் குறையாத அன்போடு வாழ்ந்ததையும் இரு குடும்பங்களுமே எமது அன்பின் காரணமாக ஒன்றேடொன்று நெரு ங் கி வாழ்ந்ததையும் நினைக்கும் போது, அன்று இன்பங் கொண்ட நான் இன்று வேதனைப் 1.ட நேர்ந்து விட்டது. பல்கலைக்கழகத்திற்கு நாமிருவரும் ஒன்ருகச் செல்ல வேண்டும்; ஒரே பாடங்களையே படிக்கவேண்டும் என்று நாமிருவரும் பலமுறை கீதைத்தும், பல்கலைக்கழகத்திற்கு தன்னேடு என்னையும் கூட்டிச் செல் லப் பல வழிகளிற் பாட ஆயத்தங்கட்காக என் செல்வா எனக்கு து கவியதையும் எ ன் ஞ ல் மறக்க முடியாது. எனக்கு மட்டுமன்றிக் கல்லூரியில் சக மாணவர்கட்கும் புவியியல் போதித்து மனநிறைவு கொள்வது செல்வாவின் போக்காக இருந்தது. பல்கலைக்கழக வாழ்வு முடிந்து, நான் உத்தியோகம் பெறச் சென்ற முதல் நாள் செல்வா சான்னுடன் வந்தும், தான் உத்தியோகம் பெறச் சென்ற முதல்நாள் சான்னே அழைத்துச் சென்றும் மாரு அன்பை என் மீது காட்டியதை மறக்கவே முடியாது. இப்படியான பல பெருங் குணங்கள் என் செல் வாவிடமிருந்தமை எனக்குப் பெருமை தருவதாயிருந்தது. எனது குடும்ப வாழ்வில் அடியெடுத்து வைக்க முன் பல வழிகளில் உதவியா யிருந்து, தனது குடும்ப வாழ்வை ஆரம்பித்து வைக்க நான் உதவ வேண்டுமென வேண்டி இருவரது வாழ்வும் வளம் பெற வழிவகுத்த ஏன் நண்பன் செல்வாவைப் போன்ற நண்பரை ஒவ்வொருவரும் பெற வேண்டுமென்பதே எனது ஆசை. எந்தப் பேரிடியும் அசைக்க முடியாத மனத்திண்மை எனக் கிருந்தது. எவரது பிரிவும் என்னைக் கண்ணீர் கொட்டச் செய்ததை 1றிையேன். எனது அன்புச் செல்வாவின் இழப்பு என்னை 'அசைத்து" aith ' t. 2). . を நன்றிக்கடன் செலுத்த இறைவா எனக்கு இடந்தருவாயா?

Page 19 GuJTG, furt சோமசுந்தரம் செல்வநாயகம் ஒருநண்பனின் அஞ்சலி பேராசிரியர் கார்த்திகேசு சிவத்தம்பி தமிழ்த்துறைத் தலைவர் யாழ். பல்கலைக்கழகம், யாழ்ப்பாணம். விதியின் குரூர தாண்டவத்திற்கு யாழ்ப்பாணப் பல்கலை 3 கம் 23-5-79 அன்று பலியாகிற்று. அது தனது முதலாவது புவியியற் பேராசிரியரைக் கற்பனையி. கூடக் காண முடியாத ஒரு கொடூர விபத்தில் இழந்தது. பேரா யர் சோமசுந்தரம் செல்வநாயகம் காலமானர். யாழ்ப்பாணத்தின் மண்வளத்தினின்றும் முகிழ்த்துக் கிள அந்த மண்வளத்தையே தனது ஆராய்ச்சித்துறையாக்கிக் கொண் யாழ்ப்பாண மண்வள விருத்தியினதும் அதன் அறிவு வியாப்தியின நம்பிக்கைச் சுடர்களில் ஒருவராக விளங்கிய ‘சோ. செ. காலமா இந்த மரணத்தைக் காலமானுர் என்று சொல்வது பொ தாது. காலன் ஒருவரது, ஒரு கல்வி நிறுவனத்தினது, ஒரு குடும் தினது எதிர்காலத்தை சிதைத்துச் சூறையாடிய ஊழிக் கூ த் தி அவ்வாறு கூற முடியாது. அவ்வாறு கூற மணமும் ஒப்பாது. "சோ. செ." எனது ஒருசாலை மாணவன். கல்லூரி நண்பன். கலைக்கழகச் சகமாணவன். கல்லூரியொன்றில் சக ஊ பூழி ய ன். மாணவியொருத்தியின் காதற் கணவன். இறுதியில் ஒரே பல்க கழகத்தின் சக ஊழியன். க்கழ லுங் rGff - 29 - புவியியற்றுறைப் பேராசிரியர் செல்வநாயகம் தன் புவியியல் அறிவு கொண்டு தமிழியலறிவினை வளப்படுத்தியவர். பண்டைய தமி ழகத்தின் புவியியலமைப்புப் பற்றியும், நவீன தமிழ் கூறும் நல்லுல கத்தின் மொழிபெயர்ப்புப் பிரச்சினைகள் பற்றியும் சர்வதேசப் புகழ் பெற்ற ஆய்வுக்கட்டுரைகளை எழுதியவர். செல்வநாயகத்தின் மறைவில் தமிழியலும் தாக்கப்படுகின்றது. செல்வநாயகத்தின் வாழ்க்கை மிக முக்கியமானது; முன்னுதா ரணமாக விளங்கத்தக்கது. செல்வாவின் முழு வாழ்க்கையும் - அறி வுத்துறை முதல் அகத்திணை வரை சகலதும் - செய்வன தி ரு ந் த ச் செய் எனும் கோட்பாட்டின் ஒளிக்கதிராகவே அமைந்தது. தன்னம் பிக்கையுடையவன்தான் வாழ்க்கையை எதிர் நோக்க முடியுமென்ட கற்கு அவரது வாழ்க்கை ஒரு விளக்கம். தான் கண்ட உண்மையையே கன் ஒரே எசமானுக விசுவாசித்து வாழ்ந்து வந்தவர். இத்ததையோ ரின் இழப்புத்தான் காவிய சோகத்தை ஏற்படுத்துவன. *** y *? స్ట్రో ? " காலம் மறைப்பதனல் காவியப் புகழ்கள் ஒடுக்கப்படக்கூடாது. செல்வநாயகத்தின் ஆராய்ச்சிக் கட்டுரைகள் தனி நூலாக வெளிக் கொணரப்படல் வேண்டும். இது செல்வாவின் மாணவர் பரம்பரைக்கு யாழ்ப்பாணம், ஏன் முழுப்புவியியலுலகே இடும் உரிமைக் கட்டள்ை. செல்வாவின் அன்பு மனைவி, ஆசைப் புதல்வர்கள் புதல் வி இன்று கருங்கடலிற் காற்றடித்த கப்பல்கள். செல்வாவின் ஆத்மா 1.1ங்கரை விளக்கமாக நின்று அவர்களை வழிநடத்தும். அவர் தன் குடும்பத்தின் பால் வைத்திருந்த பாசம் அந்தப் பணியைச் செய்விக் கும். செல்வாவின் மரணத்திற்கான அநுதாபத்தை கூற முனே யு க் பொழுதுதான் அந்த அநுதாபத்தை அவரது நண்பர்கள் தத்தமக்கே, தெரிவித்துக் கொள்ள வேண்டுமென்ற உண்மை பளிச்சிடும். عة. في م நல்லவர்கள் மறையும் பொழுது நமது இரத்தத்தின் பல்க் குறைக்கப்படுகிறது. உண்மையில் எமது சமுதாயத்தில் இத்தகைய 1ானங்கள்தான் தெ ய் வம் எனும் கோட்பாட்டைத் தேவையாக் குன்ெறன. ஏனெனில் தெய்வமில்லையேல் தேற்றமில்லாது போய்விடும். வளர்க செல்வாவின் நினைவு. (ஜுன் மாதம் 1979 இல் வெளிவந்த "ம்ல்லிகை" என்ற கலை இலக்கிய மாத இதழில் பிரசுரிக்கப்பட்ட கட்டுரை) r^MNMNMMMM MNV

Page 20 உற்சாகமும் மனிதாபிமான உணர்வும் உள்ள பேராசிரியர் (3.art, செல்வநாயகம் சி. தில்லைநாதன், சிரேஷ்ட விரிவுரையாளர் தமிழ்த்துறை பேராதனைப் பல்கலைக்கழகம் பேராதனைப் பல்கலைக்கழகத்தில் இந்து மாணவர் சங்கம் ஆ பிக்கப்பட்ட காலத்தில் ஒரு மாணவராயிருந்து சங்க வளர்ச்சி ஆர்வம் காட்டியவரும், பின்னர் பல்கலைக்கழக விரிவுரையாளரா சங்க முயற்சிகளில் ஒத்துழைத்துக் குறிஞ்சிக்குமரன் ஆலயம் அமை கும்பாபிஷேகம் நிகழ்ந்த காலப் பகுதியிற் சங்கப் பெரும்பொருள ராக உற்சாகத்தோடு உழைத்தவருமாகிய பேராசிரியர் சோமசுந்த செல்வநாயகம் தமது நாற்பத்தேழாவது வ ய தில் 23-5-79 அன் அகால மரணமெய்தியமை அதிர்ச்சிமிகு துயருள் எமை ஆழ்த்து தாகும். இன்றைக்கிருந்தாரை நாளைக்குக் காண்பது நிச்சயமில்லையெணு இயல்பினது மனித வாழ்க்கை என்பதனை நீண்ட நெடுங்காலமாகே அறிந்துள்ளோமாயினும், அந்நிலையற்ற தன்மையினை, மிகப்பிரியமா வர்களை எம்மிடமிருந்து பிரித்தெடுக்கும் செயல் மூலம் இரக்கமின் இடைக்கிடை அதிர்ச்சியினூடே இடித்துணர்த்துகிருன் காலதேவன் தெல்லிப்பழையில் திருமதி கமலாதேவி வித்தியானந்தனின் இறுதி ரம் பில் கிச் ந்து Tରt rib - 31 - சடங்கன்று சந்தித்த வேளையில், பேராசிரியர் வித்தியானந்தனின் மனைவி திடீரெனப் பரிதாபமாகப் பிரிந்தமையினை எவ்வாறு நம்புதல் கூடும் என்ற விஞவினே எழுப்பினர் பேராசிரியர் செல்வநாயகம். ஆனல் ஒரு மாதத்தில் செல்வாவுக்கே அதைவிடக் கொடூரமான முடிவு வரு மென்று யார் எதிர் பார்த்திருக்க முடியும் ? நெஞ்சங்களை உலுக்கும் வகையில் மறைந்த செல்வா வாழ்ந்த வாழ்க்கையினையும் செயற்பட்ட சிறப்பினையும் எண்ணிப் பார்க்கும் போது இழப்பின் துன்பம் பன்மடங்காகின்றது. 28-5-1932-ல் புங்குடு தீவில் பிறந்த செல்வா யாழ்ப்பாணம் இந்துக் கல்லூரியிலும் கொழும்பு 1ாஹிராக் கல்லூரியிலும் கற்று, 1953-ல் பல்கலைக்கழகம், புகுந் து 1957-ல் புவியியற் சிறப்புப் பட்டதாரியாக வெளியேறினர். சிலகாலம் அரசகரும மொழித்திணைக்களத்திற் செயலாற்றிவிட்டு 1959-ல் இலங் கைப் பல்கலைக்கழக விரிவுரையாளராகிய செல்வா 1961-ல் இலண்டன் பல்கலைக்கழகம் சென்று 1963-ல் அப்பல்கலைக்கழகத்தின் கலாநிதிப் பட்டத்தையும் பெற்றுக் கொண்டார். பல்கலைக்கழகத்திலே தாய்மொழி மூலம் போதனைகள் தொடக் கப்பட்ட போது, புவியியலைத் தமிழ்மொழி மூலம் கற்பிப்பதில் அவர் காட்டிய உற்சாகமும் திறமையும் வியந்து குறிப்பிடத்தக்கவையாகும். கிராமவியலுக்குச் சிறப்புக் கொடுத்துக் கிராமப் பிரதேசங்களைப் பற் றிய ஆராய்ச்சிகளை மேற் கொண்ட வகையில் அவர் பிறருக்கு ஒரு முன்னேடியாகத் திகழ்ந்தார். தமிழியற்கழகம் என்றதோர் அமைப் பினை உருவாக்கித் தமிழ் பேசும் மக்களின் வரலாறு, கலை, இலக்கியம் முதலிய துறைகளிற் பயனுள்ள பல கருத்தரங்குகளை நடாத்துவதில் அவர் காட்டிய உற்சாகம் மறக்கத்தக்கதன்று. இவ்வாறு பேராதனையில் வாழ்ந்த காலத்துப் பல வகைகளில் உழைத்த செல்வா 1974-ல் தமது பதவியைத் துறந்துவிட்டு நைஜீரியா சென்று அ க ம து பெல்லோ பல்கலைக்கழகத்திற் பேராசிரியரானர். காய் நாட்டுக்கும் தாய் மொழிக்கும் தக்கமுறையில் தொண்டாற்றும் வாய்ப்பு யாழ்ப்பாணப் பல்கலைக்கழகப் பேராசிரியப் பதவி மூலம் கிடைத்த போது, நைஜீரியாவை விட்டு 1977-ல் யாழ்ப்பாணம் திரும் பிறர். யாழ்ப்பாணப் பல்கலைக்கழகத்திற் செனற்சபை அங்கத்தவரா *)ம், இந்து மன்றப் பெருந்தலைவராகவும் செயற்பட்ட செல்வா, தமிழ்ப் பிரதேசங்களின் விவசாய, பொருளாதார வளர்ச்சிக்கு உத எக்கக்க ஆராய்ச்சிகளையும் மும்முரமாக மேற் கொண்டதோடு பல கருத்துக்க%ளயும் ஒழுங்கு செய்தார், மேற்கொள்ளும் எந்தக் காரியத்தையும் வேகமான உற்சாகத் தோடும் நேர்மையான உறுதியோடும் மேற்கொள்வது செல்வாவின் இயல்பு. தேவையான பொருளினைத் தேடவென்றே ஐந்து ஆண்டுகளின்

Page 21 - 32 முன் அவர் சொந்த நாட்டை விட்டு நைஜீரியா சென்ருர், சமய வழி பாட்டுக்கென்றும் கல்விப் பெருக்கத்துக்கென்றும் சொல்லிக் கொண்டு பிறநாடுகளுக்குச் செல்லும் பலர் பணம் சேகரிப்பதிற் பேயாய் ఆడిష్యు துண்டு. ஆனல் ஒளிவு மறைவின்றி உண்மையைச் சொல்லிக் கொண்டு செயலாற்றும் சிலருட் சிறப்பாய்க் குறிப்பிடத்தக்க ஒருவர் செல்வா. நேசிப்பவற்றைத் தீவிரமாக நேசிப்பதும் எதிர்ப்பவற்றைத் தீவிரமாக எதிர்ப்பதும் சிருஷ்டியாற்றல் மிக்க கலைஞர்களுக்கு உரிய தோர் இயல்பு என்பர். அவ்வியல்பு செல்வாவிடம் சிறந்து மிளிர்ந் தது. செல்வாவோடு சண்டை போடுவது கூடச் சுவாரஸ்யமான ஓர் அனுபவமாகும். கருத்து மாறுபாடுகளையும் தவறன எண்ணப் பதிவு களையும் முகத்துக்கு நேரேயே அவரோடு அலசித் தீர்க்க முடியும் யாழ்ப்பாணப் பல்கலைக்கழகத்தின் புவியியற்றுறைத் தலைவராக வும் பேராசிரியராகவும் விளங்கிக் காத்திரமான பணிகளில் அவர் கருத்துச் செலுத்திய தறுவாயில் அன்னரை இழந்தமை தமிழ் கூறும் உலகுக்கு மட்டுமன்றி இந்நாட்டுக்கே ஒரு பேரிழப்பாகும். உற்சாக மும் உறுதியும் மனிதாபிமான உணர்வும் கூடிய செல்வாவின் நினைவு என்றும் பசுமையாகவே நிலைப்பதாகும். அவருடைய ஆத்மசாந்திக் கும், அவரைப் பிரிந்து தவிக்கும் காதற் துணைவியாரதும் நான்கு பிள்ளைகளினதும் ஆறுதலுக்கும் குறிஞ்சிக்குமரன் அருளினை வேண்டு கிருேம். (பேராதனைப் பல்கலைக்கழக இந்து மாணவர் சங்கத்தினரால் 1979-ல் வெளியிடப்பட்ட ‘இந்து தருமம்' என்ற மலரினில் பிரசுரிக் கப்பட்ட கட்டுரை உள்ளத்தில் வாழும் உத்தமர் கி. இரத்தினகோபால், அதிபர், கடுகண்ணுவை தமிழ் வித்தியாலயம், கடுகண்ணுவை. சப்ததீவினில் ஒன்று தன்னிகரில்லாப் புங்குடுதீவு அங்கோர் கிராமம் தன்னில் அயலவராகப் பிறந்தோம் இந்துக் கல்லூரி வாழ்வில் இருவரும் சந்திக்கலானுேம் பள்ளிப் பிள்ளைகள் நாங்கள் பழகிக் கொண்டோம் . ஒன்ருய் செல்வா ! என்றே அழைப்பேன் நண்பா ! என்பார் அன்பாய் நானே நினைக்க வில்லை நன்ருய்ப் பழகி விட்டார்

Page 22 -34 ஈருடல் ஒருயிர் ஆகி இயங்கி வாழ்ந்தோம் வேருய் இருவர் நட்பையும் கண்டு ஏங்கிய பலபேர் உண்டு பொய்யைச் சொல்லவும் இல்லை புகழ்ச்சி கூறவும் இல்லை செல்வன் தன்னை நினைத்தால் உள்ளந்தனில் நிற்பார் சொல்ல நினைக்கச் சொல்வார் சொல்லாமல் நினைக்க வருவார் திருமந்திரமெனு மொரு நூல் தேடி வாங்கும் ஆசை ஏனே என்னிடம் வந்து இன்னற் படுத்திய காலம் நானே கேட்க வில்லை தானே வாங்கித் தந்தார் நாற்பது ரூபா, காசைத் தானே கொடுத்தார் அன்பால் நானே கொடுக்க வில்லை அவரும் வாங்க மாட்டார் அவரே அறிவுரை வரைந்து அன்பாய்த் தந்த இருநூல் இன்றும் என்னிடம் உண்டு இவர் பெயர் என்றும் வாழும் நினைக்கக் கொடுக்க வல்லான் இவரே ! எந்தன் நண்பன் செல்வா ! என்னும் நற்பெயர் சிறப்பாய் இவர்க்குப் பொருந்தும் கொடையில் பெரிய வள்ளல் கொண்டவன் நானே சாட்சி