U of T prof was admired for compassion, academic contributions

In a sense, Chelva Kanaganayakam’s door was always open — even outside of office hours. A professor of English at the University of Toronto’s St. George campus, he was constantly available for a discussion, on matters urgent (such as an extension on an assignment) or meandering conversations (on the latest work of Michael Ondaatje, for instance). It’s a wonder he was able to make time for all the roles he played — an academic well-respected amongst his peers, a teacher admired by students for both his rigour and compassion, philosopher, guide and beloved family man.

Most remember Kanaganayakam as a gentle and kind man who welcomed visitors into his office, lined wall-to-wall with books, with a beaming smile. He had a wry sense of humour and an infectious, generous laugh. When introducing himself to new students, he’d write his name on the board. “You can call me Chelva, or Professor Kanaganayakam. But please don’t call me Professor K. That’s just too Kafkaesque,” he was known to joke.

After getting his PhD from the University of British Columbia in 1985, Kanaganayakam joined the University of Toronto in 1989. Appointed a professor in 2002, he became known as “a leader in the development of postcolonial theory and South Asian studies at the university,” said Alan Bewell, chair of the Department of English at the University of Toronto, St. George campus. His course list included works of authors from across the globe, ranging from Chinua Achebe and Nadine Gordimer to Shyam Selvadurai and Peter Carey.

“He was a leading scholar and critic of postcolonial literature first of all,” Bewell said. “And then, of course, he was a very important translator of Tamil poetry. He was also involved in establishing the Asian Institute. He was director of the Centre of South Asian Studies for five years, plus many short terms afterwards.”

Kanaganayakam died on the day he was inducted into the Royal Society of Canada in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to Canadian literary studies and culture in a ceremony in Quebec City. He suffered a heart attack last Saturday evening in Montreal. He was 62.

“To be a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada is, for academics certainly, the highest honour, apart from the Order of Canada. It’s a governmental award, but you are inducted by your peers,” said Bewell.

Kanaganayakam was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, the youngest of four children. His father, professor V. Chelvanayagam, was the head of the Tamil department at the University of Peradeniya and a reputed scholar. Kanaganayakam pursued English and received a bachelor of arts from the University of Peradeniya in 1976. He taught at the University of Jaffna, then studied at the University of British Columbia on a commonwealth scholarship. He’s credited with bringing Tamil poetry to the world stage through his translations, managing the near-impossible task of translating the lyrical quality of Tamil into English.

His long list of academic achievements also includes inspiring former students, many of whom are now teachers themselves.

“Taking his world literature course at the University of Toronto over 20 years ago was a life-changing event,” said Nima Naghibi, chair and associate professor of English at Ryerson University. “I learned that I could bring together my commitment to questions of social justice with my love of literature. His class and his subsequent support of me changed my life.”

When Aparna Halpe moved to Toronto as an international student, Kanaganayakam helped her through some dark moments. Her father was the English department head at the University of Peradeniya, and had taught Kanaganayakam.

“I had no family here, and for me walking into his office was like walking into home, talking to him was like talking to my father,” she said. “Not only was he an academic mentor — and a rigorous one at that — he was also the only professor who invited us home, gave us home-cooked meals and asked about our families.

“Also, he was so comfortable being Canadian Tamil that it was comforting for someone like me, when I was still struggling to define myself.”

At his funeral Thursday, his daughter Shankary recounted anecdotes Kanaganayakam would tell her and Jegan, her brother — stories of an idyllic childhood in Sri Lanka, mischievous antics with friends and claims of being an excellent fast bowler in cricket.

He was a founding member of the Tamil Literary Garden, a Toronto-based charitable organization committed to the promotion of studies and literary activities in Tamil, and was closely involved with the annual Tamil Studies Conference held at the University of Toronto.

“He was proudly Sri Lankan Tamil, but Canada became home, and he was a proud Canadian,” said Shankary. “He loved going camping up north. He was an avid hockey and basketball fan. He would be up all night watching a game and then announce the next morning they should fire the whole team.

“My father was so many things to so many people. But most importantly, he was a dear friend. He was loved entirely for his personhood.”

Kanaganayakam leaves his wife Thiru, daughter Shankary, son Jegan, son-in-law Brian, daughter-in-law Heather and two granddaughters.

Aparita Bhandari is a freelance journalist and a former student of Chelva Kanaganayakam.