• Inside Santhoshini de Zoysa’s ‘My Thoughts’

The world often has a tendency to drown out our ability to introspect and stay in touch with our core. Societal pressures and individual struggles can often collide, and finding moments of clarity and guidance can be akin to navigating through a dense fog. 

To maintain clarity can be a struggle, and so, one author and artist, Santhoshini de Zoysa, has put together ‘My Thoughts’ – a coffee table book meant to serve as a profound amalgamation of art, wisdom, and social consciousness.

‘My Thoughts’

The genesis of ‘My Thoughts’ lies in Santhoshini’s exploration of art during the Covid-19 pandemic – a period marked by introspection and creative discovery. “I had a lot of time during Covid to reflect,” she recalled. It was during this time that she turned to painting as a form of therapy, delving into the depths of her creativity and unleashing a torrent of colour onto canvas.

Santhoshini’s vision for ‘My Thoughts’ is clear: it is meant to serve as a source of inspiration and guidance, offering readers a pathway to navigate life’s complexities with resilience and grace. “It is a kind of sense of awakening. It’s also aesthetic at the same time and thought provoking too.”

From this seed of inspiration, Santhoshini’s creative process blossomed, driven by her desire to offer concise wisdom in an age where reading is often perceived as tedious. This is where aphorisms – concise statements that express a general truth, principle, or observation about life – come in. 

Aphorisms are often characterised by brevity, clarity, and wisdom, serving as memorable nuggets of insight that encapsulate complex ideas in a few words. Santhoshini employs aphorisms as a central element of her book, using them to distil her reflections on life into succinct and thought-provoking phrases.

In today’s fast-paced and digitally-driven world, where social interactions often feel shallow and fleeting, ‘My Thoughts’ offers a respite – a sanctuary where readers can pause, reflect, and glean insights that resonate deeply within their souls. Through her artistry and prose, Santhoshini invites readers on a journey of self-discovery, encouraging them to confront their innermost thoughts and emotions with honesty and compassion.

Santhoshini’s creative journey

Central to Santhoshini’s endeavour is her deep-rooted belief in the power of art to transcend barriers and ignite change. Through vibrant paintings and poignant aphorisms, she seeks to engage readers on a visceral level, prompting reflection and introspection. 

“I found, moving around in society, it’s difficult to connect and form sincere relationships,” she reflects. “But you must understand that people all like the meaning of love and the most sold writings are about love stories.”

Santhoshini’s artistic journey, however, transcends mere aesthetic expression. With each brushstroke, she seeks to convey profound messages about pressing societal issues, from global warming to the Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC). “Using art as a tool to drive thought and education is imperative,” she asserted, highlighting her commitment to leveraging art as a catalyst for social change.

She set herself the ambitious target of writing five aphorisms every day, resulting in a collection of over a hundred pearls of insight. “The main aim of the book is to stop people from getting into a state of social anxiety,” she explains, highlighting her mission to provide practical guidance for navigating life’s complexities.

Art for a cause

Yet, perhaps the most poignant aspect of ‘My Thoughts’ lies in its mission to support the preschool programme at the Welikada Prison. For Santhoshini, this initiative represents a commitment to uplift marginalised communities and provide opportunities for growth and education. 

“Future generations, our biggest asset, need to be guided correctly,” she shared, adding that it was vital that none of them be overlooked. The children of inmates have a disadvantaged start to life, and should, therefore, be given as many resources as possible in order to ensure their best chance at thriving. 

Through the sale of her artwork, Santhoshini channels resources towards a cause close to her heart, ensuring that even those confined within the walls of incarceration have access to learning and empowerment. It is a testament to her unwavering dedication to social justice and her belief in the transformative power of education. “The book is about being proactive rather than reactionary,” she explains.

For Santhoshini, ‘My Thoughts’ is not merely a book but a call to action – a call to embrace empathy, creativity, and social responsibility. It serves as a reminder that amidst the chaos of daily life, there exists a reservoir of resilience and compassion waiting to be tapped into. As she eloquently puts it: “Virtue is like seasoned timber; it never decays. But to form those beads of virtue is very difficult in the local world... sincerity is near impossible.”

‘My Thoughts’ by Santhoshini de Zoysa, priced at Rs. 7,500, will soon be available at leading book shops and online. Proceeds from the sale of Santhoshini’s art will be donated to the preschool of the Welikada Prison.