Comrade Vamadevan

My father Sivaraman is the owner of the Siva garment factory in Ratmalana a suburb of Colombo Sri Lanka. There are about a hundred workers in his factory including about sixty women. They produce garments for men, women and children. Their designs have a good export market. The owner of the factory exploited the workers paying low salaries and benefits and become rich with two houses in Colombo and a twenty-acre Tea estate in Kandy. I am Shanmugam his only son . I went to a Catholic college in Colombo. When I was studying in the final Advance level as an art student my favourite teacher was Vamadevan alias Devan.

He is a man of few words and avoids gossiping about others. Spends his time reading and writing. He published a book titled “ Communism in Sri Lanka” He never dresses lavishly. A simple and humble man. Other teachers are reluctant to talk to him because he will not change his progressive policy. He comes to school in an old cycle with the books in the front cane basket. He maintained punctuality. There are many Catholic teachers including Deva master taught in my school.

 Catholic students are advised by catholic teachers that it is important to go to church every Sunday, but as far as I know Devan master avoided mixing religion with education.

 Even though Devan master is a Catholic he never goes to church on Sundays I have never seen a chain with a cross on his neck. He avoided discussing religion. I knew that his parents were strong Catholics. They hardly spoke to their only son Divan, His father Soosaipillai was a retired clerical servant, Mother Lucia was a retired nurse. They lived in a two-room house at Colling wood place Wellawatte Colombo 6.

 Devan taught us Political science and Economics. In the class, he focuses mainly on Marxism, Socialism, Capitalism, etc. He will criticize capitalism. He is very critical of the upper-class employers in Sri Lanka.

 He once said that the British brought labourers from Tamil Nadu at very low wages to work in the tea estates. Those who brought were not given enough facilities and wages to live for the hard work they did climbing hills and getting bites from leaches in the cold weather and rain.

I asked, "Sir, have you ever been to a tea plantation in Sri Lanka?"

"Shanmugam, the question you asked is a good one.

 I have a close relationship with the Plantation Workers Union, and many times during my time at the University of Peradeniya I attended the Tea Plantation Workers Union meeting in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya. I have been to places like Maskeliya and have seen the poor quality of life of the Tamil tea estate workers live. I know how hard their work is. Their condition of living is very awful. They live in a row of one-bedroom houses called line houses. They did not get a decent wage and I just shed tears looking at the houses where they lived, ”he said.

 I asked him, "Do employers use their workers as slaves and make a profit from their labour?"

 He said, "This capitalism really started in the rich countries of the West and then it spread to the countries they occupied. When God created us, He created only two genders, male and female. Then the man began to classify himself as an employer-worker based on the wealth and high status in the society. ”

“ Master, can you briefly explain capitalism, communism, and socialism"?

He said “ Communism, also known as a command system, is an economic system where the government owns most of the factors of production and decides the allocation of resources and what products and services will be provided.

The most important originators of communist doctrine were Karl Marx and Frederick Engels. It is an exploitation of the masses by the few. The capitalist system at that time required workers to work under harsh and dangerous conditions for little pay. The definition of socialism varies widely, and many people use it synonymously for communism, but it is often distinguished as an economic system between communism and capitalism. Socialism is the social and economic doctrine that espouses the public over private ownership and control of property and natural resources. Many believe that simply taxing the rich more is a form of socialism”.

" Master where did you read all this"?

"When I was studying at the University of Peradeniya, after reading the communist books given to me by a communist policy commentator, I saw that what he was saying was true, so I changed my policy."

 "Master, I heard that your father is a devout Catholic and he goes to church without fail, but you are not like that"?

 "I do not communicate much with him although I live in the same house. He and I have a conflicting policy. He tries to force religion on me I am an independent thinker. ”

Master Vamadevan will come to the college on his old bicycle.

 I often saw him at the Wellawatte market with a few others wearing red colour shirts on Saturdays and Sundays distributing a Tamil Magazine published by the communist party of Sri Lanka. I knew that he is a member of that party. After school when he is involved in party activities, he called people Comrade.

 He was selling the communist Tamil newspaper Desabimani to the people. He called people comrade. People started calling him Comrade Devan.

 When he saw me on a Saturday at the market, he said, “Shanmugam take this paper with you and read. I took it and read it and it contained some mottos uttered by the Marxist philosophers The paper contained some articles by Tamil progressive articles were about the caste system that prevailed among Tamils in Sri Lanka and exploitation of labour.

I took it home and read it. After reading it, I left the magazine in my room.

I did not expect my father to pick up the magazine from my room and read it.

 His policy was completely different from the policy of public ownership

The day after I left the magazine in my room my father called me and said " Shanmugam, I would like  to talk to you about some important issue ."

I immediately guessed the reason why he called me. The reason is that the communist party magazine is in a capitalist hand. I was prepared for a verbal battle with my father.

 He was seated in an easy chair sipping high-quality whisky showing his capitalistic face to me.

I went to him.

“Yes, dad. Why did you call me? I politely said. We hardly communicate at our big house at Hamden Lane. I communicated more with my mother Sivakavi. She is a religious-minded lady. She fasts on Thursdays and Fridays and never fails to go to Bambalapitiya Ganesh temple on Fridays.

"Sit there," he said.

I sat there looking at his face without saying anything. I was afraid of what he was going to say. I knew he would pierce me with questions.

" Shanmugam where did you buy this rotten Communist Tamil magazine"? He asked me with anger.

When I saw the communist magazine Devan master gave me at the market in my father’s hand, I said politely “Devan master gave it to me at the market”.

 I did not want to lie to him.

" Is he promoting his students his policy of communism”? my father asked me with anger.

“ Communism, Socialism and Capitalism are discussed in Political science subject in the class. So, what harm in reading it ?”, I replied.

“ He may be in the communist party but has no right to give this magazine to you I am going to report this matter to your school Principal”, replied my father.

I knew that my father gave donations to the school. Hence the school board will act on his complaint.

 "Dad, I did not get this magazine from Devan master while he was teaching in his class. I saw him in the market yesterday distributing this magazine to the people. I wanted to read it. I did not pay for it. He gave it to me for free. You cannot complain about him to the school Principal. Devan master was selling this magazine after school”. I defended my teacher Devan.

"Son, why do you always try to protect him?"

 “ His humbleness and behaviour with students made me like him and respect him . Moreover, his ability to help students. He is a popular teacher among many students in the school.”.

 “ Is he helping students.? What are you saying, son?”

  “ Dad, do you know that he buys books from his salary for a poor student in our class and also pays school fees? ”

 "What are you saying, is he financially helping students?"

"It's true that he helps Naganathan, who is a friend of mine. My friend is from a poor family. He can’t afford to buy books and pay school fees. Devan master financially helps him.”

" Your Devan master is a Catholic. Do you know that he never goes to church on Sundays?"

 "It's his own decision whether to go to church or not, but he has a progressive policy of public ownership. He is against caste, religion, ethnic discrimination. He has Muslim, Sinhala Buddhist, and Tamil Hindu friends He is fluent in English Tamil; Sinhala I know he is a member of the Communist party .”

“Wow ! you know so much about him and are you going to follow his policy too?”

 "Dad, it is my decision to follow any policy I like. What's wrong in listening to him?”

"Shanmugam, you are the son of the owner of a big business establishment. I have a business with more than a hundred employees. If you are associated with a communist Society will not respect me. After me, you are going to own the company.

It is through the hard work that I have been able to raise so much money and give you comfortable life and education in a prestigious school. You are not realizing it. ”

 "Dad, your policy is different from my policy. Let me think and decide and act according to my wish."

 He could not dismiss me because I was his only son. He expected me to inherit assets. He earned through the hard labour of employees who worked in his factory.

He said “ Son thinks how much I and your mother loves you. We are interested in your future. We want you to get married in the high society of Tamils who live in Colombo 7 . We admitted you to a well-disciplined catholic school. I want you to take over my business after my death .”

Well, at least I did not leave the location without explaining what is in my mind first.

 "Who wants dad your business and high society of Tamil people? You have raised me so far because you and mum gave birth to me. Like all parents, you spend money on my education. I do not expect you to continue to spend on my studies " I said to him.

He never that reply from me.

 "What are you saying?"

"Yes, Dad. My Devan teacher told me one day that Shanmugam you have good qualities. You must be a talented student and go to university. You must become a good teacher. You have to take your ideology to others."

"What did you say to that?"

 "I told him there was a frequent contradiction between me and my dad. I did not know if he would continue to spend money on me going to the University. He was thinking of appointing me to a higher position in his company."

“What do you think? Will you accept that position after me? ”

 "No. I must continue to study at university and get a degree and live as a man of good principle like Delavan teacher and help the workers and poor people."

I did not wait for his reply and disappeared from that place.

*****

 After that incident, I was determined to continue my university studies and become a graduate after Advance Level,

 The next day Vamadevan's teacher observed me in the class with a worried look. He suspected that I would have had an argument with my father. Devan's teacher did not have a good opinion about my father Sivaraman. The main reason is my father was the owner of a garment factory and treated his workers shabbily. Devan's teacher attempted to form a trade union among the workers who worked in my father’s garment factory but failed as many workers were scared to lose their jobs/

 “Shan, you do not look happy. I could see that in your face. Normally, you crack jokes in the class and keep everyone happy. Did you have any argument with your father at the weekend”? Devan asked me.

 Tears came into my eyes. I  could not immediately reply to him.

When Vamadevan saw it, he held my hands and said,

“Do not worry Shan. I am there to resolve your problems. I suspect that your father saw the magazine I gave you in the market to read. He would have made a big issue of you having that magazine. Am I eight”?

“Master what you suspect is true. You know very well that my father is a Capitalist, He knows that you have Marxist ideas. He hates you”

I explained the whole arguments that transpired between me and my father and how I finally challenged him.

My teacher Vamadevan said” Cool down Shan. I know that you are upset. If you have confidence in me, please treat me as your elder brother. I know that you have the capability to enter University and pass out with colours. I have no brothers and sisters. Like you I am the only son of my parents who are very religious. At times I had arguments with them for not going to the church. Anyway, I stuck to my determination to enter University and I got a second upper-class degree in BA. I selected the teacher’s job.

I met a few intelligent students like you. I helped them to enter University and pass out as a graduate. I will definitely help you to full fill your challenge with your father. Forget about the arguments you had with your father. The final advanced level exam is due in a few months. Concentrate on your studies and enter University. I will promise to meet all expenses until you pass out and get a job. Do not say anything about the promise I am making to your father.”

I never expected that help from my Devan teacher.

 I said to him, “ Master I do not know how to say a big thank you for your promise”.

****

I got very good results in his AL level and entered Peradeniya University. I lived in a rented room in Kandy. I paid for the rent and food by giving tuition and working part-time as a salesman in a shop. 

At Peradeniya University I obtained very good grades in the General Arts Qualifying exam in Economic and Political science. I was offered to do a special degree in economics I accepted it and passed out after four years, with firs class honours degree in economics. Vamadevan was delighted to hear the news. I did not want to inform my parents about my achievement. They did not attend my convocation. Delavan teacher attended the ceremony / My mother came to know about my results from my friend Naganathan. She never informed my father. She wished me good luck in my future. I thanked her. She invited me to come and speak to my father. I said no to her.

I was offered an Assistant lecturer post in the Economics department at Peradeniya University. After three years I got a scholarship to PhD in econometric modelling at the London School of Economics. After completing my PhD in three years I returned to Peradeniya University as a Lecturer. After a year I joined the Central Bank of Sri Lanka as Director, Economic planning.

****

I visited my retired teacher Vamadevan frequently. We both had brotherly conversations. My teacher’s parents passed away and Vamadevan was living as a bachelor in his two-bedroom house.

I went for a three-month training in India. After returning from India, I visited my teacher Vamadevan with some Tamil books on Communism written by E V Ramasamy.

 When I went into my former teacher’s room, I could not believe my eyes when I saw a cross hung on the wall in his room.

 I wondered whether my teacher Vamadevan has changed from his communist ideas

 "Master, have you changed from communist ideology ?" I asked him.

 "Why are you asking that, Shanmugam?"

“No matter. there is a cross hanging on the wall of your room.  I also see a chain with a cross around your neck. ”

 He smiled and spoke

“Shanmugam In our youth we may have progressive ideas. , Diseases come and infect us as we get older. I am almost seventy-five now. I am not able to get up and walk. I use a walker. My ideology is not going to give me a helping hand. Only God will give us a hand. When the doctors told me two months ago when you were in India that I have leukaemia cancer I did not expect that my last days are numbered. decided to surrender me to Jesus and pray that I die without pain.”

 I said, "Teacher, it was with your help that I came to the position of Director at Central bank after my challenge with my father. I still follow the ideology you taught me

 I will arrange a maid to help you. She will cook and look after you. I will pay all expenses. ”

 Tears wetted the Vamadevan teacher’s eyes when he heard what I said.

He said, "Shanmugam, the idea of helping others is ingrained in you."

He held my hands and kissed me. Tears fell on my hands.

 A few days after he met my teacher Devan, I received a call from the maid I arranged saying that Vamadevan is seriously ill, I rushed d to his house with a doctor. The doctor examined him and declared him dead. I could not speak. I decided to give him a grand catholic funeral at Kannate cemetery in Colombo. I informed his stents and the teachers who were teaching with him. The former Principal died a few years ago.

After the funeral was over, I arranged a tomb to be erected at the place where he was buried with the words

“ Here lies my beloved torcher Anthony Vamadevan a man of progressive ideology and helper of the poor in need.”