I’m the centre of attraction
 History reveals Kurunegala is
famed for Parliamentarians and stalwarts in the legislature. People are
less aware that the city is more rich in minerals than its inhabitants.
It is in this district of Kurunegala that lies a remote village called
Badalgama. The dwellers here are mostly farmers. But there were others
such as goldsmiths, carpenters and blacksmiths whose professions existed
from the time of ancient kings.
I was born to a dynastic family engaged in turning out artistic
creations. My father used to digout lumps of clay from underground pits.
It was from these muddy crusted debris, I was pulled out to this world.
There was nothing to boast about my education.
My parents were not interested to send me to any school. They were so
ignorant they never ever thought learning makes a man perfect. From my
tender age I grew up under the watchful eye of my father. He wanted to
make me a beautiful art creation, so he made every effort to succeed in
his goal. His job was to mix balls of clay into the required shapes and
turn out many objects.
My father worked very hard to bring me up. During my childhood, I
underwent a lot of hardships. Lot of time and energy were wasted to make
me a perfect figure. As I reached adulthood I was subjected to a heating
process in high temperature in a kilm to induce reactions that led to
many changes in me. This operation increased my strength and hardened my
muscles.
I underwent a lot of pain. I yelled loud for my neighbours to know my
situations. But my father wanted them to ignore me. Somehow he wanted to
see that I became a super model. I under went various stages to bring my
body to perfection a variety of techniques were introduced to bring me
to a standard form. I was placed in the centre of a wheel which rotates
rapidly while my body was pressed, squeezed and pulled gently upwards
and downwards into a hollow shape removing unnecessary fat.
Next a thin coat of varnish paint was applied all over my body.After
I was kept in the hot sun for hours expert craftsmen tattooed my body
with beautiful floral designs. Many villagers who came to our workshop
were fascinated by these tatooed designs which added a rich look to my
figure. By now I have grown up to an attractive woman with looks similar
to the looks at a Greek goddess.
Many eyes were focused on me. My father did not want me to be with
them anymore. So he kept me at a Sunday bazaar. Here I met some of my
companions of the same age. Very soon I became friendly with them were
many visitors who admired my beauty. A pretty blonde took me under her
care. She took me to her house, gave me every comfort she could afford.
I was kept on a huge glass-top table, with a big bunch of flowers
flown from a distant land. I had the look of an elegant young bride
carrying a bouquet of flowers on her wedding. My owners house was a
villa replete with ornate mirrors, chandeliers, antique furniture,
creaking wooden floors,
large oil paintings and so on. It was a place where the cream of the
Colombo 7 society gathered where cocktails being lined up to shake hands
with dignitaries. I enjoyed the best of company. Some visitors who
gathered around whispered to one another that I was a beautiful flower
vase. A beautiful creation of art.
Reminiscing of my past, I felt proud and happy coming from the remote
village of Badalgama famous for pottery.
Tissa Hewavitarane
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