From a young age, Manikkam was determined to emulate the life of M.G. Ramachandran (or MGR), one of the most renowned and prolific Tamil film actors of the 20th century. His life and identity are inseparable from his admiration his hero and from his early years, he embraced MGR’s cinematic persona as a model for his own life, vowing to live like the man he considered a godlike figure. As a natami, part of the community of cart pullers in Pettah, Colombo, Manikkam’s daily work was grounded in physical labor, but his appearance—always dressed in costumes inspired by MGR’s films—set him apart.

Manikkam’s distinctive image caught the attention of local and international media, and his unique blend of labor and style captivated audiences, and he quickly became a recognised figure, not just within Sri Lanka, but globally. Through viral videos, interviews, and social media, his presence transcended the streets of Colombo, with fans across the world embracing his persona.

In recounting his early life, Manikkam reflects on the influence of his mother, who encouraged him to revere ‘MGR’ as both a spiritual and personal guide. "If I live, I want to live like him," he recalls, a sentiment that has shaped his journey. 

Mrs Sarojini Kadirgamar learned to play bridge during the curfews of the 1950s, looking over the shoulders of the adults. She talks about the responsibility of privilege, her Jaffna roots and her personal experiences of the Black July pogrom.

Jayaseelan’s grandfather bought the 150-year-old baths in Kochikade, north of Colombo with his pension. Jayaseelan was born just next door and inherited the baths when he retired. He talks about the changes in his life, to the baths as well as Kochikade.

Mrs Sui King Chang left Hong Kong in the 1950s to meet Yung-Hsien, the man she would later marry. Sui-King is today one of the last surviving first generation Chinese migrants. She talks about her journey to Ceylon by ship and her husband’s pioneering business, the New Chinese Shop on Chatham Street, which the family still runs.

Veteran journalist ”Kala Keerthi” Edwin Ariyadasa looks back on 64 years with Lake House as a reporter and editor, working on both Sinhala and English publications. He talks about his voracious appetite for books as a child, and his career as a journalist.

Sri Lanka’s legendary filmmaker Dr Lester James Peries talks about his early life as a filmmaker, his mentor Lionel Wendt and the films that launched his career in cinema. Featuring ‘Rekava’ (1956) and ‘The Song of Ceylon’ (1934) directed by Basil Wright.

Inayet Akbarally tells the remarkable story of his great grandfather Careemjee Jafferjee and how he became the first member of the Dawoodi Bohra community to come to Ceylon in 1830. A proud and loyal ‘Peterite’, he reflects on the days when where you went to school trumped ethnicity and even religion.

Chandra Schaffter opened bowling for Ceylon against England in 1954. He reflects on the early days of international cricket in Sri Lanka, the evolving landscape of club cricket, and the game’s enduring potential to unite communities.

One hundred year old Jesuit priest Father Vito Perniola came to Ceylon from Italy in 1936. He has been here ever since and was even granted Sri Lankan citizenship in 1970. As a linguist, he learnt Pali and Sanskrit and even taught Pali to Buddhist monks and nuns.

Judge Christopher Weeramantry is a former judge of the International Court of Justice and the senior-most retired judge in Sri Lanka. His campaign against nuclear weapons proliferation is famously captured in a dissenting judgement during his tenure at the ICJ, as well for respecting the environment. Taking inspiration from his elders and borrowing from the wisdom of world religions, the judge has been spreading his message of peace for decades.

Sam Wijesinha has had several careers from criminal lawyer to Chancellor of The Open University. As President of the Prisoners’ Welfare Association, he focused on reforms to better the lives of prisoners and their families. His commitment to education extended not only to helping his poor relatives but the children of junior staff when Secretary General of Parliament.