Decorated to thrill

Decked in Holly and all things festive, Colombo is all set for a very Merry Christmas:

Budget blues, incessant rains and daily protests notwithstanding, Colombo has taken on a festive mien, infusing a sense of excitement to the daily grind, inviting even the most languorous among the denizens to perk up and share the anticipation.

The Christmas countdown has truly begun. A time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, Christmas is about goodwill towards mankind and close time for family and loved ones. It is about candlelit carols, midnight mass and spiritual connectivity. But in the 21st century world where consumerism colours every action, the countdown is not so much about the Christmas spirit as it is about visual feasts and seasonal sales.

So we see gaily decorated Christmas trees, glittering baubles, twinkling lights, fake snow and plastic Santas transforming the city of Colombo into a festive wonderland, and the city streets crammed with Christmas shoppers hunting for everything from Christmas trees to stocking fillers and things in between that is essential and nonsensical, to make the Christmas memorable.

The atmosphere is electric. And photographer Gayan Pushpika does a walkabout capturing the sounds and sights of a city counting down to a memorable Christmas.