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Illustration of catamarans on beach

Interview with Sri Lankan-born Canadian author Michael Ondaatje on his new book of poetry, Handwriting.

Illustration of elephant bathing itself

Illustration of man and elephant

Illustration of man with umbrella and person riding elephant in background

Michael Ondaatje talks about his new novel, Anil's Ghost. Set during the civil war in Sri Lanka, it's an evocation of fear, violence, and grace.

Eleanor speaks with Israel's number one poet, Yehuda Amichai. His own career as a poet parallels the life of his country. Part II: From Sri Lanka and London, Romesh Gunesekera. His Booker short-listed novel Reef is an evocative bittersweet tale of his war-torn country.

This week, part one of a special 5-part series: South Asian Conversations, starting with a Panel discussions recorded in Colombo. Three Sri Lankan writers of mixed background, Sinhalese, Muslim and Burgher, explore the complex realities of life in the island nation as it recovers from the trauma of civil war and a devastating tsunami. Guests include Ashok Ferry, Ameena Hussein, and Vivimarie Vanderpoorten.

Today on Writers and Company: The fourth program in the special series on South Asia again focuses on Sri Lanka, as Eleanor Wachtel explores the complex realities of life in the island nation. In Colombo, a leading Sinhalese novelist discusses the influence of Buddhist thought in her work, while in the northern city of Jaffna, two Tamil writers share their perspective on the conflict that has divided their country.