GANGA RIVER IS NOW FIT FOR DRINKING
April 14, 2020INSIDE STORY – NADIA GYI
April 14, 2020
NEW YEAR Old Traditions
BY Ashwini Vethakan
April makes an entrance with balmy island weather. The famous koha sings to us each morning and at night the fireworks blaze against an inky-black sky.
This is the month of reinvention and celebration. And certainly, the Sinhalese and Tamil New Year is the festival of the month. Since it’s a significant event for most Sri Lankans, Avurudu is celebrated with much pomp and pageantry.
The island comes alive as people gear up for the annual celebrations by cleaning their homes, shopping for clothes and preparing traditional sweetmeats, to begin the new year on a joyous and auspicious note.
From the selected colour of the year to those deliciously sweet and starchy sweets that weigh down the dining tables of almost every home, the country buzzes with excitement at a host of rituals that are practised at Avurudu time.
Old traditions overtake normalcy in a way that humbles people. Children begin the day by
venerating their adults and receiving their blessings; and clay pots of milk – being a symbol of prosperity in the year ahead – overflow.
As Sri Lankans feast on kiribath, spicy sambols and sweetmeats, their meal is counterpointed by laughter and conversation. Both Hindus and Buddhists visit their respective temples to seek divine blessings for the year ahead – and after that, it’s open house for family and friends!
In villages around the island, games are played and songs are sung, and women beat the rabana to the folksy sounds of celebration. Irrespective of whether one is young or old, rich or poor, people everywhere celebrate the holiday as one and eat delicious food together at Avurudu, participating in the same games and even dressing in similar colours. The Sinhalese and Tamil New Year is a festival that’s celebrated by all.
Living wishes all our readers a prosperous and bountiful new year ahead!
NEW YEAR Old Traditions
BY Ashwini Vethakan
April makes an entrance with balmy island weather. The famous koha sings to us each morning and at night the fireworks blaze against an inky-black sky.
This is the month of reinvention and celebration. And certainly, the Sinhalese and Tamil New Year is the festival of the month. Since it’s a significant event for most Sri Lankans, Avurudu is celebrated with much pomp and pageantry.
The island comes alive as people gear up for the annual celebrations by cleaning their homes, shopping for clothes and preparing traditional sweetmeats, to begin the new year on a joyous and auspicious note.
From the selected colour of the year to those deliciously sweet and starchy sweets that weigh down the dining tables of almost every home, the country buzzes with excitement at a host of rituals that are practised at Avurudu time.
Old traditions overtake normalcy in a way that humbles people. Children begin the day by
venerating their adults and receiving their blessings; and clay pots of milk – being a symbol of prosperity in the year ahead – overflow.
As Sri Lankans feast on kiribath, spicy sambols and sweetmeats, their meal is counterpointed by laughter and conversation. Both Hindus and Buddhists visit their respective temples to seek divine blessings for the year ahead – and after that, it’s open house for family and friends!
In villages around the island, games are played and songs are sung, and women beat the rabana to the folksy sounds of celebration. Irrespective of whether one is young or old, rich or poor, people everywhere celebrate the holiday as one and eat delicious food together at Avurudu, participating in the same games and even dressing in similar colours. The Sinhalese and Tamil New Year is a festival that’s celebrated by all.
Living wishes all our readers a prosperous and bountiful new year ahead!
