After the release of her poetry anthology three years ago, Nivanka Fernando knew she was driven to branch out, result of which is her newly published psychological thriller, “The Savage Dance.” The novel follows a chain of beggar-killings through which Nivanka attempts to address the issue of grappling inner demons that most writers now find to be an intriguing subject. The story relates to us - how an extremely mediocre personality gives way to his underlying psychopathic propensity and embarks on a mission of ridding the world of a menace.

At 23, Nivanka holds a Bachelors of Sociology from the University of London and is a past pupil of Methodist College and Ladies’ College. Needless to say, her education, research and exposure all contributed to making her novel convincing, besides of course her exceptional knack for writing. Her compilation of poems, “Bittersweet Serenade” mirrors the roots of her passion, poetry, which she remains faithful to – each chapter in “The Savage Dance” has a preamble of a few lines of poetry.

On today’s Youth Profile, Nivanka shares with us what makes her, and the writer she is within.      

 

1. In a much digitalised era, what is the place you think writing deserves, as opposed to what it is given? Do you think literary prowess and interest in literature can ever lose its appeal?

Although digitalization is demonized at present, I believe that it sets a stage for writing rather than leaving it hidden. Being published is now as easy as pressing a button and writing, which was placed on a pedestal, is now personal and accessible. Literature’s place is society, in my opinion, is greatly enhanced by this new found accessibility which is exactly what it deserves.

While it is the opinion of the majority that the (well) written word will face its demise in a world where instant gratification is king, I am rather more of an optimist on the matter. With the rewards of both writing and reading being greater than ever and the integration of literature with the digital, I fail to see a future where literature is less a part of our existence.

 

2. What do you write about? Are there any themes you find particularly intriguing or recurring in your work?
I like to think I write about things that others do not.

Realism is the dominant paradigm in Sri Lankan literature. My writing however incorporates a good deal of surrealism. My first book, ‘Bittersweet Serenade’, involved romance, the surreal and the macabre. My most recent publication, ‘The Savage Dance’, being a novel is far more thematically diverse. The recurring themes common to both books are the paranormal and netherworld, and social commentary on issues such as the marginalisation of the mentally ill.

 

3. How is Savage Dance different to Bittersweet Serenade? What changes have you seen in yourself as a writer since?

Firstly, The Savage Dance is a novel whereas Bittersweet Serenade was a collection of poetry and short stories. However, I have integrated some of my most recent poetry into the novel which I’m told is an experimental and risky move, but I think it is simply staying true to my roots in verse.

I believe I have grown immensely as a writer since the first book three years ago. I would have never believed then that I possessed the dedication and discipline required to write a novel as I had never ventured beyond single page poetry and 2000 word prose. Growing comfortable with writing at length was a challenge at first but I think it has made me more resilient and ultimately a better writer.

 

Tell us about The Savage Dance - its inspiration, the process of writing it, what went into it and what has now come out of it?
 

I began writing The Savage Dance back in 2010, after the launch of ‘Bittersweet Serenade’. The first chapter was meant to be a short story about an old man and a rabid dog, something of a modern twist on Oliver Goldsmith’s ‘An Elegy on the Death of a Mad Dog’. The media was abuzz at that time with news of the beggar killings in Colombo, and on a whim, I wrote a second chapter about a delusional recluse. Then the story just kept flowing and before long, I was left with a hefty manuscript on my hands.

What very few know is that I actually lost the first five chapters of the book when I misplaced my USB drive. I was able to salvage them as I realised that I had initially written down parts of the chapters in a notebook as words sometimes come more easily with a pen to paper.
The Savage Dance sat untouched in my drawer for almost two years until I finally submitted it to Sarasavi Publishers with trembling hands.

They were incredibly accommodating and immediately agreed to publish it, and with their expert guidance and several proofs, The Savage Dance came to be.

The Savage Dance now is very different from how it started out. The plot flows more smoothly and the characters’ development is better. I couldn’t be happier.

 

5. Share with us the best few lines of poetry you've read and admired? Do you think anything you've written has come close - please share if so!

The most affecting lines I have read are the words of Philip Larkin who writes in ‘An Arundel Tomb’;

Time has transfigured them into
Untruth. The stone fidelity
They hardly meant has come to be
Their final blazon, and to prove
Our almost-instinct almost true:
What will survive of us is love.

Being acquainted with the greats of poetry, I hardly think my work can compare to theirs but if I were to choose my favourite of my own work it would be this.

A simple man
Faded, once bright, yellow
Dampness, cracks and chipping paint
A roach runs over the Sylvia Plath
Crossing the treacherous seas of
Spilled 7-Up
Landing safely on the shores of Amy Lowell

The dog raises a bleary eye
His old bones creaking
With the memories of a
Glorious puppyhood,
Of romps in the April showers, and
Chasing butterflies in the overgrown lawn; now just a
Memory

 

Text by Nivedha Jeyaseelan