Remembered yesterdays with my friend Dr Revelion (Revo) Drahaman

by Dr Nihal D Amerasekera

When I think of Revelion Drahaman I am reminded of a famous line from Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night: “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.” Revo seems to have had them all and I’m happy to share these memories while he lives in retirement.

I first met Revo in 1965 when we were both students at the Faculty of Medicine in Colombo. It was the Swinging Sixties. Memories of amber nectar, tall tales and late nights whizz around my head as I recall those years of long ago. Friendships were made and firmed in the canteen and common room which was the social hub of the Faculty where laughter was endemic. Revo started his training with the first batch of students at Peradeniya and moved to Colombo on a transfer. As our surnames were nearer the beginning of the alphabet, we did most of the clinical work together. Our walks on the long corridors to every corner of the General Hospital in search of patients and knowledge is a memory that has stayed with me. This brought us closer and the friendship lasted a lifetime.

Our third year (1965) was a particularly difficult one with a plethora of subjects and much to read, retain and recall. Nalin Nanayakkara, Revo and I studied together. We met at each other’s houses. Revo’s parent’s house was in the affluent part of the city in the plush surroundings of Guilford Crescent, Cinnamon Gardens. This splendid house was called “Merdeka” (Freedom in Malay). On arrival we soon got stuck into our books. When Revo’s mother saw us immersed in our work, took pity on us and sent us cups of tea and cakes. Sometimes those study sessions ended in a delightful lunch. Revo was intelligent, focussed and hardworking.

But it was not all work. We occasionally snatched an evening break. As students, drinking and socialising took away the stresses and the strains of the heavy workload. There were those memorable and raucous evening booze-ups at the faculty’s Men’s Common Room. The glitz and the glamour of the Colours Night and Block Night Dances at King George’s Hall at Reid Avenue lit up our amorphous yearnings!!. On those evenings we twisted and jived the night away in gorgeous company. Revo was ever present and enjoyed himself thoroughly. During the years in the faculty, he had a rugged and reliable BSA Bantam motor bike. I was a regular pillion rider on this noisy beast weaving through the Colombo traffic.

He breezed through the difficult examinations at the faculty. Our undergraduate days ended in June 1967. As the sunset on our student days, there was a new dawn of a career in Medicine. Revo did his internship at the General Hospital Badulla and in 1968 he returned to the OPD at Ragama Hospital. We came together again when I moved back to Colombo in 1970. Then our uncertainties loomed large. It was a time of professional and personal insecurity. On an evening, the Health Department Sports Club at Castle Street was our oasis. He was genial company and we spoke about our lives, families and our academic progress. Revo wanted to specialise in ENT surgery. He was a good listener always calm and measured in his delivery. Whenever my life was in turmoil, Revo flattered me with his genuine care and interest in my well-being. I respected his opinion. He often advised patience. His contributions to any discussion were well thought-out and conveyed with much consideration. Revo was endowed with high moral standards. Although not overtly religious its important tenets were deeply rooted in his psyche. He stood up for his principles, steadfastly.

I left for England in 1974 and began work in London. By then Revo had proceeded with his surgical training with Dr Victor Benjamin, Consultant Surgeon and was successful in his preliminary FRCS examination in surgery. He too arrived in the UK in the early 1970’s. We met up again when he worked at the prestigious Whittington Hospital in London. This hospital is named after the famous 14^th century traveller, Dick Whittington. As we both had busy jobs and difficult professional examinations to overcome our meetings were less frequent.

After completing the FRCS examination in surgery and the professional training, Revo returned to Sri Lanka in 1976. He was appointed as an ENT Surgeon, General Hospital Colombo. Before long, he formed an efficient and impressive ENT Unit that was the envy of his colleagues. He was an astute clinician, careful and meticulous. Revo was also a technically gifted surgeon. In practice he was a traditionalist and stood by the wisdom of Hippocrates, “primum non nocere” (first, do no harm). Revo was keen to share his surgical skills and enthusiasm and enjoyed teaching. He trained many young doctors to achieve great things in the speciality, at home and abroad. Revo Drahaman became a leading name in ENT surgery, much admired and well sought after. He had a busy and successful career at the National Hospital. He also worked in several Private Hospitals. Revo is a wonderful, wise and deeply perceptive man. He is modest about his own considerable achievements and scrupulously honest. With his fine bedside manner, professional competence and high ethical principles he handled patients, colleagues, nursing staff and trainees with skill, kindness and unfailing courtesy.

Despite his busy work schedule, he looked after the medical needs of my family in Colombo. He treated them with his usual respect, warmth and helpful kindness. Revo refused to accept any payment for this enormous favour. I was then a regular visitor to Sri Lanka. On those journeys we met up unfailingly and caught up with the news of mutual friends. We spoke about our careers and family and put the world to right. There was always time to reminisce and recall the good times gone. On those visits I remember with fondness his mischief and playfulness and those witty narratives delivered with waving arms and a broad smile, just as he did when we were students.

Revo comes from Malay aristocracy in Sri Lanka. His father was Dr M.P Drahaman who was a General Practitioner in Slave Island and an appointed Member of Parliament in the late 1950’s. He is remembered for his tireless work to improve the lives of the Malay Community devoting much of his time to their welfare and well-being. Dr M.P Drahaman provided support for the Indonesian struggle for Merdeka (freedom) for which he was recognised and honoured by the Indonesian Government. Three of his sons followed him into the medical profession. He passed away in 1963 in Mecca while performing Haj.

Revo still lives in Cinnamon Gardens with his wife Lareena who is a dental surgeon. The old house has been completely rebuilt. They remain lavish and generous hosts renowned for their Malay feasts. He is an affectionate and attentive father to his son and daughter and is a doting grandfather.

His son Akram has followed in his father’s footsteps to qualify as an ENT Surgeon. Revo’s daughter, Asnita, is a GP and her husband is a Consultant Physician and they live in the UK.

When Revo visited his daughter and son-in-law in the UK they were honoured guests at my home. Those meetings are now precious memories. I have a collection of old Malay music which were popular in Sri Lanka. He loved listening to them after a few glasses of vino. I offered him a CD of the music for him to take back to Sri Lanka.

Revelion Drahaman dedicated more than 50 years to the medical profession. Work was his pleasure and after retirement he continued to serve in the private sector. He is a fine product of that great redbrick institution, Royal College Colombo. By his dignity and decency, he brought honour to his school, the profession and his community. This short biography is testament to the caring and integrity which was evident in everything he did. Revo has lived a remarkable life. He was ever so humble about his success and never regarded himself as someone special. Despite his privileged upbringing he never lost the common touch. I consider myself so very fortunate to have met him in my journey through life.

As we age those days of grandeur and glory become a fading memory but we still cherish the friendships and the good times. I wish Revo and Lareena a long and fulfilling retirement. May their onward journey be peaceful.

“The mind can go in a thousand directions,

but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace.

With each step, the wind blows.

With each step, a flower blooms.”

― Thich Nhat Hanh (Vietnam)