A Memory that lingers in my Heart – By Dr. Harold Gunatillake
A Memory that lingers in my Heart
“Where Grace Once Sat”
In halls where chandeliers softly gleam,
She sat, not as a guest, but as a dream.
A golden chair beneath her frame,
But it was she who gave it a name.
No crown adorned her silvered hair,
Yet royalty breathed in Kandyan air.
With hands that held both poise and past,
She stitched each moment so it would last.
A gaze serene, no need to speak,
The hush around her felt mystique.
Her sandals whispered gently,
Like stars that danced before the night.
The world around her seemed to pause,
As if it knew and held applause.
And now that chair, though finely cast,
Feels hollow where her light once passed.
Still, memory gilds what time can’t steal—
For grace like hers is always real.
And in that frame, she lives anew:
A timeless queen in black and hue.
My late wife Irangani, sitting on a gold chair, displayed
at the Grand Kandyan Hotel, Kandy, Sri Lanka
“The Queen of Kandyan Elegance”
At the heart of the Grand Kandyan Hotel, amidst its shining elegance and tales of the past, sat Irangani—graceful, composed, and timeless. The luxurious gold chair, beautifully adorned and regal, felt like a throne made just for her. Its delicate carvings and soft white cushion quietly honoured the woman who sat with gentle confidence.
Dressed in a lovely contrast—her black and white embroidered top combining tradition with modern style—she carried herself with quiet dignity, not grandeur. Her silver sandals sparkled softly, echoing her gentle presence, while the clutch she had suggested she came not to impress, but to be herself, and in that, she left a lasting impression.
This was more than just a chair in a luxurious hotel lobby. It was a brief stage, however, for a woman whose light continues to shine. A memory woven into golden upholstery, polished wood, and the welcoming scent of Kandyan hospitality. For those who knew her, Irangani brought beauty into life naturally, without needing to say a word. The chair didn’t make her royalty. She was royalty, and the chair was just lucky she chose to sit there.
Left this world on 29ᵗʰ June 2023 – R.I.P
By Dr Harold Gunatillake
