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My Debut Novel
Arya's Dream
Sticks and stones can break one’s bones, but in this intergenerational story of Sri Lankans at home and in Australia, the human spirit perseveres!
Arya, a retiree, steers the villagers of the misty mountains to a new way of thinking. Although she grapples with the ghosts of her past, her compassion and dedication to helping the underprivileged enkindle her dreams.
Nesha, a PhD student in Melbourne, wrestles with dilemmas that threaten her sense of self-worth. Fears of failure plague her day and night. Despite her own struggles, she opens her heart to the sorrows of others. How does her relentless pursuit of her beliefs add an intriguing layer to the narrative, captivating the readers along the way?
Dave, an estate superintendent, has a vision and a mission. His unwavering determination centres on eradicating corruption and malpractices from the estate. Juggling familial responsibilities and a demanding career, how does Dave find himself entangled in a web spun by cunning political agents, their power difficult to evade?
In their unique ways, the three main characters embark on a collective quest to harness the power of good. Connected by blood, their intertwined stories weave a compelling narrative that explores the depths of human resilience.
Read Arya’s Dream to witness the transformative force of goodness in the face of evil.
In publishing my debut novel, which I completed in 2023, my dream to be a published author became a reality.
The book launch was held on the 11th of February 2024 at Shire Hall Preston, Victoria, Australia. It was a memorable event.
From time to time, we visited various places of beautiful Sri Lanka to get the flavour of the Sri Lankan village life. We met several people who were ready to share their life stories with us. It is their beautiful and sad stories that I captured in Arya’s Dream, and the rest is my wild imagination.
In Arya’s Dream, you will find multi-religious, multi-ethnic groups of Sri Lanka. The social fabric is made of Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim and Burgher communities that live side by side. They create such a rich diversity and beauty. To an outsider, this richness may not be visible. And a wrong message could be sent as years of conflict and wars ravaged the country. But are they created by the common people? I want my intelligent readers to consider this question.
Arya’s Dream is about how social, economic, and political issues affect the ordinary Sri Lankan men and women and their efforts against the odds.
I believe that Sri Lankans have the strength and wisdom to overcome the chaos created by the rulers. The front cover shows “LITTLE THINGS MATTER”.
In the process of writing, ideas came like winged horses. Sometimes, they walked, sometimes they trotted, sometimes they cantered, and then they galloped. It was a long journey with setbacks and drawbacks. But I was lucky to receive support of so many, and I offer my gratitude to all of them. Finally, it took more than ten years to complete Arya’s Dream.
May our wonderful country regain its former glory as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean soon!
Testimonial
Hear from Our Satisfied Readers The Joy Our Books Bring
Former Associate Professor
"Possessing a wry political awareness, Arya's Dream defies the colonial narrative of helplessness popularised in Western literature. With rich detail, we are transported into the lives of a family geographically apart but motivationally convergent. Arya, Nesha and Dave take control of their lives, inspiring positive change and hope for the future of their communities."
“In Arya’s Dream, Savithri succinctly tells the story of courage to change things that needed changing in the worlds of the main characters: Arya, Nesha and Dave. In their capacity, they accept certain traditions but challenge societal unfairness. How do they identify limitations brought by corrupt systems and make them into opportunities? it’s worthwhile to patiently wait for the sequel to answer this question.”
"The lives of Arya, Nesha and Dave are beautifully intertwined on the path to justice in Arya’s Dream. Amidst the family struggles and corruption battles, I was captivated by the vivid descriptions of Sri Lanka’s beauty so frequently, that I was tempted to book an impulsive flight! "
"Arya's Dream is an atmospheric, intergenerational story in which assumptions about culture, class, and gender are explored and lessons learnt. Many people's certainties are now disrupted by living between countries, or between cultures, or missing family members now living at a distance. And this story may resonate with readers who experience similar situations and gives hope in hard times."
"I could see Arya’s Dream as a beautiful film or series. It has the ingredients to captivate a wide audience. These include beautiful and dramatic scenery, human dramas and touching relationships, power imbalances, gender issues, and class and caste inequities. If this book were accessible to Australian / Western readers, I do feel they would learn much. While in Australia there was attention given to the violence and fighting in Sri Lanka from the end of last century to early this century, I suspect that Australians are sadly ignorant about Sri Lankan culture and the complexities of the issues facing Tamils and Sinhalese trying to live decent lives."