“Sybil Nanda”, the illustrator of our magical childhood

The internationally acclaimed Sri Lankan children’s book writer and illustrator, Kala Keerthi Sybil Wettasinghe fondly known by generations of children as “Sybil Nanda” or “Adaraneeya Aththamma” breathed her last on 01 July 2020 leaving an irreplaceable void in the hearts of all Sri Lankans. During her illustrious career, which spanned over 7 decades, she has illustrated over 200 books, which have been translated into many languages such as Japanese, Chinese, Swedish , Nowergian, Danish, Korean, Dutch and Tamil.

Sybil was born on 31st October 1927, at her father’s ancestral village, Ginthota, located in the suburbs of Galle. There she spent most of her childhood and received her primary education at the Ginthota Buddhist school. Later she moved to Colombo and studied at the Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya. However, it was impossible for her to forget the amazing childhood she had at her village. She dearly treasured the time she spent at the village in the company of her grandmother, listening to tales, exploring the forests and bathing in the rivers. She used her work as a platform to keep her childhood memories alive.

“When I was a child, the world around me seemed a more fresh, nicer and more beautiful place. This is why my childhood, in my rustic village home seems to me, a long, beautiful dream. Then people seemed to live as warmhearted human beings giving out love and affection, caring for one another with a kindred togetherness. Enchanting recollections from those days keep pouring out of my heart, mingled with love towards all those lovable country folk. It is an experience too precious to be kept within me.”

Mr. H. D. Sugathapala, the Headmaster of Royal Primary saw some of Sybil’s drawings sent by her father for an exhibition at the Colombo Art Gallery. Immediately recognizing the talent of this young artist, he came in search of Sybil and wanted her to illustrate for the ‘Nava Maga Standard 5 Reader’. She wholeheartedly accepted her first chance for a serious illustration and the book became a huge success. The famous author, Martin Wickramasinghe who reviewed the book foresaw that the young illustrator had a great future as a book illustrator.

At the age of 17, she began her career as the First Female Newspaper Journalist of Sri Lanka who worked fulltime, by joining the ‘Lankadeepa’ newspaper as an illustrator. While working at ‘Lankadeepa’, she used to illustrate for ‘The Times’ too. Being the only female representation at that time, she was encouraged by many veterans such as W.A. Silva, Sunil Shantha during their visits to the office for her hardwork, talent and boldness.

In 1952, she accepted a job at the Lakehouse, where she received a chance to illustrate an entire page. Her time at Janatha newspaper was a turning point in her life, both professionally and personally. She wrote her first story ‘Kuda Hora’ (Umbrella Thief) for the ‘Janatha Newspaper ’ which was later published as a book in 13 countries. The ultimate success of the book, its growing popularity, requests from publishers and critical acclamation she received from writers like Regi Siriwardane encouraged her to keep writing and illustrating.

It was also at Janatha Newspaper where she met her soulmate, Don Dharmapala Wettasinghe,the Chief Editor of all Lakehouse newspapers. In 1955, she married Don Dharmapala and had 4 children. Her late husband encouraged her to write ‘Kuda Hora’ and she claimed that he was her best fan and best critic.

She has won numerous awards both nationally and internationally. In 1986, her first book ‘Kuda Hora’ won the Best Foreign book in Japan and in the following year it won the Japanese Library Award for the Most Popular Children’s Book. In 1965, her book ‘Wesak Lantern’ was recognized as the Best children’s book from Asia by the Women’s Council in England. She has won many state literary awards and in 1995 she received the most prestigious Gratiaen Prize for her memoir, ‘The Child in Me’.

Having won so many awards for her notable work, she continued to believe that the appreciation she received from children as the most priceless. She continued to receive tips and ideas for her stories from children as she believed that children were the most genuine and uninfluenced. Conversations with her little fans who lived in a beautiful world full of imagination gave her ideas to build her stories.

On 6th March 2020, Sybil Wettasinghe’s book “Wonder Crystal” made its entry to the Guinness Book of World Records by setting record as the ‘Most alternative endings for a book’. By inviting children to write an ending for her story, Sybil encouraged children to use their creativity and imagination. Out of 20,000 endings sent by children all over the country, the best 1250 were featured in its printed version.

Sybil believed herself to be young at heart and continued to do so throughout her life. She devoted her entire life for writing and illustrating children’s books. Her unique style of illustration which brought her narrations to life, made our childhood vibrant. Her fascinating stories and Sybil Wettasinghe herself will continue to live in the hearts of generations of children and adults all across the world.

May she attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana!

Article by- Hirushi Ariyaratne.