Pearls of wisdom: What Suren Jayemanne’s grandparents taught him about priorities

Comedian, writer and actor Suren Jayemanne shares the life lessons he learned on school drop-offs with his urbane and worldly grandparents - his Sri Lankan Siya and Atchi, who moved halfway across the world to Melbourne to help raise their grand kids.

Comedian, writer and actor Suren Jayemanne

When comedian Suren Jayemanne was a boy, his Sri Lankan Siya (grandfather) and Atchi (grandma) would drive him to and from school. On route, they'd quiz him on grammar, times tables and idioms, always reiterating the importance of health, family, and work... in that order.

Suren (in red) with his brothers and grandparents

I always think about those lessons in the back of the car on the way to school. My grandma's English was like perfect Queen's English. They really impressed upon me the importance of grammar and speaking 'proper' English.

Suren Jayemanne

Suren’s grandparents travelled the globe for their careers. They were worldly and well-educated, and loved the finer things in life.

Suren's Atchi and Siya on their wedding day

His grandfather worked for the United Nations, entertaining diplomats over whiskey, while Suren’s grandmother serenaded them on the piano.

It's so funny to me to think of them moving to Australia and just being shocked at this English-speaking nation with all the slang around. They would have been like, this isn't English!

Suren Jayemanne

Suren's grandparents Atchi and Siya, with Atchi's sister (Aunty Soma) and father (Sir Arthur).

Comedian Lizzy Hoo gets to know her good friend Suren in a whole new light when she learns more about his Siya and Atchi, and hears how their lessons have taken on a new life now that Suren has discovered the Hindu teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.

Grand Gestures is a Deadset Studios production for SBS Audio.

Host: Lizzy Hoo

Guest: Suren Jayemanne

Executive Producer: Kellie Riordan

Supervising Producer: Grace Pashley

Producer: Liam Riordan.

Audio editor and sound designer: Jeremy Wilmot.

A huge thanks to the SBS team: Caroline Gates, Joel Supple and Max Gosford.

Artwork: Universal Favourite

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the land on which this show was made.