Plus

Carl Muller: Waving merrily and joking at life’s ironies

By Sita Kulatunga, Pic by Nipuna Wickramage

Last Sunday morning we were on our way to Kandy, to visit a friend. Five of us connected modestly in different ways with communications – writing, publishing, editing and translation were on our way to visit the prolific writer, historian and philosopher Carl Muller.

Two days earlier I had received a small parcel from him with a long, neatly written letter. Our mood on the trip was rather sombre because of the contents of the letter although Carl Muller never indulges in self pity. The description of his ailment and its virulence was detailed and graphic as his writing always is. He mocks death and worries only about his wife’s future. And he does not want to go in for enormously expensive treatment. He says, “I’m still alive and my wife gave me a T-shirt for Christmas with the slogan ‘Alive and Kicking’”.…

Muller surrounded by his collection of books.

“All I now do is keep writing and looking forward to Mahiyyawa where I can sleep next to my son. (His young son died in a motor accident a couple of years ago). I don’t get around anywhere but keep writing. Huge body cramps, a stick to hobble with and I still have to go to hospital every week to be monitored, collect drugs, capsules and that alone costs a good deal,” he says. Sleep he says is only two hours a day. He speaks about royalties and how exchange regulations and taxes eat into it.

I think most friends and acquaintances know that Carl possesses a wonderful library which would be any reader’s envy. Classics, philosophy, religion, Buddhism, Christianity, Hindustan fiction, poetry, history travel-the works. Although he intends to part with the collection because of his financial needs, Carl does not talk about it. We hear that there is an offer from a foreign buyer.

The two books that he has brought out most recently are “A Return to Rhyme and other Lines” and “Many Bulls in my China Shop – Views and Reviews” . W.K. D. Navaratna, Senior Chief Sub Editor of a prestigious newspaper who went with us to visit Carl has done an excellent Sinhala translation of Carl Muller’s ‘Ranjith Discovers where Kandy Began’. (1992.)

Carl did not want us to talk about his illness in his wife’s presence. As we walked from bookshelf to bookshelf we were quiet and did not want to prolong our visit unnecessarily; nor did we comment on the strategically placed ash trays on the shelves. Are they being used even now or are they just keeping the books straight? At one point in our conversation he said, “I started smoking at 12 with Peacock cigarettes.”

We left after spending about two hours with them. Even that would have been tiring for him although he was waving merrily and joking about life’s ironies standing on his doorstep.

On the copy of “A Return to Rhyme and other Lines” sent to me he has inscribed.

Sita, With love, Carl Muller, Don’t worry about dates.

Writing is forever.

Top to the page  |  E-mail  |  views[1]
SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend
 
Other Plus Articles
The soldier’s home for New Year
Bountiful betel
Singapore is role model for Sri Lanka to fight bribery and corruption -- Letter to the editor
Recipe for Avurudu peace -- Letter to the editor
The blessings of nature -- Letter to the editor
Monkeys are a menace to Ambalangoda residents -- Letter to the editor
Integrity, loyalty and dedication defined this noble officer and gentleman -- Appreciation
She lightened the burdens of many and brightened the lives of many others -- Appreciation
I loved you for a thousand reasons -- Appreciation
Aththa was practical, lovable and entertaining -- Appreciation
The way Avurudu was
Kaju Puhulam: Fading symbol of Avurudu
A new 10-rupee coin for your pocket
Colombo to Colombia
Closenberg, the allure remains
KT ‘new international star’ at Miami Fashion Week
Oriflame now into wellness
Feel like getting into the festive fever?
Lobster loot
The little known bird paradise
Dissecting two plays in one stroke
Colours of the field brighten up his canvas
Carl Muller: Waving merrily and joking at life’s ironies
When the sounds of spirituality filled St. Peter’s College chapel
Ceylon’s Pearl Harbour attack
He never denied to others the rights and freedoms he so cherished
Meeting Jeanne Argot, a quiet American volunteer
Politics: Playing it safe, while keeping the peace
Events

 

 
Reproduction of articles permitted when used without any alterations to contents and a link to the source page.
© Copyright 2010 | Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.Colombo. Sri Lanka. All Rights Reserved.| Site best viewed in IE ver 6.0 @ 1024 x 768 resolution