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Arthur C. Clarke: The Odyssey Concludes

As most you have already heard, Sir Arthur C. Clarke, the British/Sri Lankan writer and visionary passed way this morning in Apollo Hospital. Clarke who was a house hold name in Sri Lanka was living in the country from 1956. It is said that the souther sea is what brought Clarke here. It is a know fact that he really liked the places like Unawatuna, Roomassala, etc.

Clarke was a worldwide known person for his famous work like the Odyssey series (2001, 2010, 2061, 3001) and Rendezvous with Rama, Fountains of Paradise, The Deep Range, etc. and also for inspirational visionary work. For me, "The Deep Range" is the favourite, not at any rate because of the Sri Lankan connection in the book, but because of the illustration of Ocean and creatures it creates. I'll always keep re-reading it to experience that wonderful feeling of being in the Ocean. This is also the book where Clarke points that we could look into the sea before going to walk among the stars.

Sir Clarkes passing away remarks the end of the reign of "The Big Three" (Issac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke and Robert A. Heinlein) of science fiction. I'll not get into the details of his contributions to the world, Sci-Fi, non-fiction or other. For a start you can read the Wikipedia page I linked above. I just wanted to say that he and his work was inspirational for a number of generations and it will remain so.

Here are some links I found on the Net reporting his death:
Slashdot: Arthur C. Clarke Is Dead At 90
The Associate Press: Writer Arthur C. Clarke Dies at 90
Washington Post: Arthur C. Clarke; Sci-Fi Writer Foresaw Mankind's Possibilities
BBC: Writer Arthur C Clarke dies at 90
LA Times: The passing of a legend: Arthur C. Clarke
National Post: Sci-fi giant Arthur C. Clarke dead at 90
Bloomberg: Arthur C. Clarke, Author of `2001: A Space Odyssey,' Dies at 90


With generations of people whos been inspired by his work, the Clarke mark will be visible in future than it did in past. Whenever we look into the stars, whenever we unravel the mysteries of the deep see, whenever we take steps as a race and whenever a LOLCat meows about stars :) we'll remember him.

PS: A side note. When people in US and similar areas heard that Clarke died on Wednesday, it was still Tuesday for them. So as one person in Slashdot said "He even died tomorrow". Well, he lived the future, and died in future.
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Comments

  1. Dili1:47 PM

    "He even died tomorrow"

    If that doesnt sum it up. I dunno what does. RIP Sir Arthur

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous6:02 AM

    Marvelous character, a hero of mine from the childhood... Feel something is missing in sri lanka now...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Unknown10:45 AM

    Sorry for the delay, but

    @Dili: Yes, it sounds ironically great.

    @Niro: Thanks for the comments.

    ReplyDelete

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