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| Sunday, 09 April 2006 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Heralding the New Year: On your mark, get set, go by Lakmal Welabada
'Avurudu' or the Sinhala and Hindu New Year festival which falls on April 13 and 14 every year, is the main national cultural event of Sri Lanka. 'Kevum', 'Kokis', 'Kiribath', colourwashing houses, gifts, new clothes, new curtains, new pots and pans....new ...new..new.. everything comes with the adjective 'new' during this season. But, what exactly is 'Avurudu'? Shantha Mayadunne, a cookery expert, housewife, the mother of two daughters, and moreover, a lady brimming with the know-how of the rituals affiliated with Sri Lankan culture,says "In the past 'Avurudu' was celebrated after the reaping of the new harvest from the paddyfields in April. This was important as Sri Lanka was an agricultural society, and mainly relied on rice, the staple food of the people. Hence almost all the food including 'kiribath' (milk rice) and sweets made for 'Avurudu' such as 'Konda Kevum', Kokis, 'Aasmi', 'Aggala', 'Mung Kevum', 'Athirasa' and 'Aluwa' are made of rice flour," says Shantha. "There were many other events that are incorporated into the New Year. The village sports meet is one such event. In this event special 'Avurudu' sports like 'Kottapora' (pillow wrestling), 'Lissanagaha' (sliding pillar), 'Kevum Keme' competition , 'Kamba edima' (tug-o-war) 'Pancha Keleema' (something similar to 'snakes and ladders') were held during this season. "All these games, food and rituals were a part of the agricultural society of the past just as the limbs are a part of one's body. Also 'Avurudu' was the most relaxing and happiest period for the people who made this time of the year an opportunity to inculcate unity and noble habits within the society," explains Shantha. She further pointed out that these were the weeks when our great grandfathers had time to relax for a few weeks after working hard in the hot sun cultivating and reaping the paddy. "They had enough resources and were financially stable. But today many changes have taken place. We won't even think of retiring from work for such a long period of time. We are more like machines, and 'Avurudu' has also become a part of this world of machinery". "Living in the machinery world,time has become the the most important thing for us today" says Shantha. Unlike yesterday, we have no time to spend chatting or even to exchange a hearty smile with our neighbours. Hence, Shantha suggests that we should not miss the opportunity of renewing our rapport with them by at least sending a plate of 'Kiribath' and sweets, during the newyear. Exchanging gifts among family members and relatives is also part of the rituals. "With today's cost of living it is almost impossible to buy gifts" laments Shantha, but suggests, that we pre-plan a few months beforehand and collect the gift items whenever we see something appropriate for each member of the family. Then we won't feel we are spending for them through our noses. It cuts down the last minute rush too. Spend your money wisely. Try to give something with 'utility value'. Whatever and whoever gets your present, be it a saree, dress, shirt, hankerchief, mug, cosmetics, hair pin or comb, the receiver should be happy. Also, do not forget the poor around you when you go for shopping for gifts during this festival season," she suggests. Seeing herself as the typical Sri Lankan woman living in the modern urban society, Shantha points out a few shortcomings which we could avoid during the festive season. "It's the time for family, relatives and friends to have get togethers. So, however busy you are, find the time to prepare a meal for them at your home. Also today, we tend to serve a soft drink when someone pays us a visit as it is easy to pour straight from the fridge. But with the oily food that we consume during the season a 'cup of tea' is the most appropriate and most welcoming drink for your visitors," she emphasises. She finally adds, "Try to make 'Avurudu' visiting and greetings more meaningful. The host and the guest should both be courteous, and be able to make a pleasant environment for each other by forgetting and forgiving old quarels. It is only then that we can start a fresh year in which we could live with benevolent thoughts. At the auspicious time, along with our personal wishes we should pray for our country. May the new sun that dawns upon our country exterminate all evil thoughts and let the blossoms of peace spring up all around us. |
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