Page 21 - Ganesh Arunasalam

Vithiananthans
Chinnamama was very fond of our Appa and Amma. As a young man he
would visit us in Peradeniya, and he and Amma would have long chats into
the night.
Mama was very helpful to Appa during Appa’s drama (naatu koothu)
productions. He helped with the makeup for the all-male cast.
When we lost Amma, Mama stayed
close to Appa. He gave him strength at
that desperately difficult time.
Many of us had the great privilege of
spending time with Mama at his house in
Jaffna. He was so proud of his house
and the furniture he had painstakingly
made. We enjoyed papaya and wood
apple from his garden.
Our Chinnamama showed genuine
interest in the well-being of all our
families and offered support in many
At a recent pre-wedding celebration we all had to dress up in middle-eastern
attire. He was asking me how he could dress up and I suggested using a
white sheet and some tea towels. He told me, “unda kommanda talent
unukku irukku”. And he continued to share stories about Amma's
contributions to the costumes in Appa’s productions.
Chinnamama has left a profound mark on our lives as an amazing and
ways to which we are all so very thankful.
loving uncle and his physical presence will be greatly missed.
Nangai
Namby
Down to earth. Easy going. Ever ready to help others and someone who
cared a lot for his extended family. I spent the most time with Mama during
my 3 years in England. Mama and Mami took the responsibility of caring for
my recovery after an anaphylactic shock I had to shellfish, and got me back
on my feet. Mama along with Mami took on the financial responsibility of
caring for many relatives who fled Sri Lanka after the 1983 riots.
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