He enriched our world with his gift of words

PREMNATH MORAES

It was exactly 10 years ago yesterday, on May 10, 1998, that a wide circle of family and friends gathered to bid farewell to Premnath Moraes, who had died at the age of 75. I recall meeting Premnath for the first time in the early ’70s, at the annual general meeting of the old boys’ union of our alma mater, St. Benedict’s College, Colombo. The friendship forged that day would grow over the years. My admiration for Premnath increased as we worked together in the OBU and the Old Bens Sports Club.

The annual general meeting was an important date in the OBU calendar, bringing together past students of different vintage. I recall Premnath delivering the vote of thanks, year after year. We would applaud his finesse and impeccable style. His speech served as a fitting finale to the meeting and a warm launch of the social that followed, the climax of the annual get-together.

I am grateful to Premnath for instilling in me, a young protégé, the qualities essential in a good citizen. Premnath was guide, philosopher and friend to me. “Good friends are hard to find, harder to leave, and impossible to forget”.

It was a pleasure to hear him talk about the good old days (both our families lived in the sprawling Colombo North suburb of Kotahena). And I enjoyed his countless published stories on men and matters. He covered extensive ground, in his inimitable style.Premnath’s multiple talents and charisma shone in all he did. He was a respected personality in the Fourth Estate and the many spheres to which he contributed in the course of his versatile career. He was journalist, commentator, film-maker, lyricist, actor and orator. He had the special gift of a silver tongue.

By Eric Motha