I Am Jaffna

The Independent

Mrs Subramanium

Mrs Subramanium is the personal assistant to the head of one of Jaffna’s most popular newspapers. She reflects on her approach to life and death and why, despite the constant pleas from her diasporan family, she refuses to leave Jaffna.

Interview language: English

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English

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Simplicity is the mark of genius

“I have three sisters. Two sisters are in London. That is one of the main motives why I didn’t go! (Laughter). One is in Canada. My nieces all are in London. They are harassing me even now that I should join them. Yeah, yeah, all are harassing. My niece in Australia, she says you must join us. Both my sisters in London they want me to join, leaving out the other nieces.

You know, their pattern of life is different from mine. I always believed in simplicity. Simplicity is the mark of genius. So I never wanted to be stylish or uppish. Or anything. My motive was always that. My husband…we have no children. So we brought up a daughter. My sister’s daughter. Then finally she also married in London and she went. She always harasses me to come and stay with her. But I don’t go, you know why? If I go there, for two days they’ll say okay, we allow you to be simple, you do as you wish… but the third day they will say, no! You must also fall in line with us. Then what happens to me? Where do I stand? I won’t fall into their ways. Then I will feel very hurt and I’ll be hurting them also by saying I’m not going to wear that, I’m not going to… To some extent they are sort of uppish. Uppish in the sense they want to be stylish and all. Perhaps that is because of London they have to keep up to that life.”

“You know on the 31st day of my husband’s death I removed all the ornaments other than this ear stud. So they were harassing me saying that I was being very adamant. Because people will say I am not wearing anything and that’s a bad reflection on them. I said then take it for granted. You tell all those people that I am not your sister. If you say that then things are okay for you, no? Then don’t bother about me. You say I am not your sister. That’s all. In two words the thing is over. Yeah, I’m happy with them. No problem, whatsoever. Both of us are happy. She gives me a call, I also give. We talk. And we’re happy now.”

About this portrait

Photography: Kannan Arunasalam

Interviewer: Kannan Arunasalam

Recorded: July 16, 2010

First published: March 13, 2023

Last edited: November 7, 2023

Comments

Kannan Arunasalam

October 25, 2010 at 05:39 pm

My parents, like many other Jaffna families decided to emigrate to London in the 70s. But there were those who steadfastly refused to leave, irrespective of the war. People like Mrs Subramanium, who for 17 years has worked as the secretary to the owner of Jaffna’s most popular daily newspaper, Uthayan. As I arrived they were printing the last pages for that day’s edition. Large archaic machines rattled as Uthayan went to press. Mrs Subramanium was a one woman hive of activity, manning the phones and typing up letters. She’d been working for hours, but her starched sari was still crisply in place and there was a neatness and compressed energy to her movements. She’s 83, and still has no plans to retire! Mrs Subramanium was born and brought up in Jaffna. She went to Chundukuli school, a popular girls school in Jaffna – my mother’s old school. Mrs Subramanium became something of a legend on the sports ground. For decades, there’s been a steady stream of people leaving the conflict ridden north including several members of Mrs Subramanium‘s family. But, despite their repeated pleas for her to follow, she refuses to leave her job or her home.
kamalakkannan (Kannan Arunasalam)

October 26, 2010 at 02:37 am

The simple style of Mrs S, http://iam.lk/the-simple-style/
Sharni Jayawardena

October 26, 2010 at 08:41 pm

A simply beautiful story. I wish we could comment on some individual photos. Some great ones here.
Ashanthi

October 28, 2010 at 10:47 am

I guess until we, Tamils and Sinhalese, start talking about the violence that this old woman works in there will be no point in telling her story. I think you need to read between the lines. Hard for those who are not on the receiving end to do. She is a legend, a saint and probably a relative. You've got her, we haven't. What's the solution?
mp1

October 28, 2010 at 01:39 pm

Beautiful photography capturing simplicity at its best. Mrs. Subramanium is wise and simplicity has given her contentment, as reflected in her demeanour.
Dominic Sansoni

October 29, 2010 at 06:40 am

What an inspiring collection - the words, the pictures. THANK YOU - and so looking forward to more interviews (and many more pictures...) Joy!
Chavie

October 29, 2010 at 08:36 am

Couldn't have said it better than Dom, keep up this brilliant, brilliant work, and I wish you all the best! Thank you for doing this! :)
Helga De Silva Perera

October 30, 2010 at 12:26 pm

Thank you for this. Totally inspiring, wonderful collection of interesting, lovely people...Great shots telling their own stories ...Looking eagerly forward to more. Inspired...THANK YOU.
Nancy Fernando

November 6, 2010 at 03:11 pm

Here is a woman of substance, hats off to her.
Nelum Gamage

November 12, 2010 at 04:29 pm

I wish I had met her. A courageous story of a simple lady...the pictures capture her simplicity, courage and also her beauty! This is indeed a fantastic web site... I am sorry I did not see this earlier so that I could have at least had a glimpse of this great lady.
Martina Mascarenhas

November 27, 2010 at 10:14 pm

Wow...love the idea behind this project...inspiration is what everyone needs every now and then and this definitely does exactly that. You have an amazing eye...it's truly wonderful to see these individuals and learn their stories. It provides an insight into what they go through and have gone through in the past and lends a strong voice. Looking forward to more stories and more voices! Cheers.
Nia_Murphy (Nia Murphy)

December 13, 2010 at 01:47 pm

'simplicity is the mark of genius' http://iam.lk/the-simple-style/ Make some tea & spend a few hours with the @iam_project, Sri Lanka.
myooran

December 16, 2010 at 01:54 pm

I'm proud to say that I've worked with this "iron lady"...Mrs Subramanium...brings back memories of the good old days...
Gayathri Fernando

February 18, 2011 at 01:59 am

At first I was lost in her VOICE, it was so REAL, so hauntingly Sri Lankan from a generation that is at the end of its era. In the South, in Dehiwela, resides a lady who is Sinhalese who speaks in the same tones of Mrs S. I close my eyes and I cry for the pathos in this VOICE. I am an oral history enthusiast. Thank you Kannan, thank you.
Helga De Silva Blow Perera

March 7, 2011 at 11:40 am

Lovely, strong, woman. Much to be admired.
I AM | Ranga de Silva

March 31, 2011 at 02:31 pm

[...] all but there's an interesting clip about a lady living and working in Jaffna. (Follow link http://iam.lk/the-simple-style/) She talks about her experiences during the conflict and about the incident at the cement factory. [...]
magerata

April 1, 2011 at 04:09 am

I wish many more people listen to her. Thank you for this and all other stories you have woven.
Siva Sivakumar

October 22, 2011 at 06:19 pm

I endorse Mrs. S's view. It's better to be in Jaffna rather than emigrate to a foreign country and fall in line with them. Otherwise you will be hurting the sponsors and you will also get hurt. Hats off madam and I bow down to you. God bless.