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| Sunday, 25 January 2004 |
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Rock Music II Sel Lipi by Gotabhaya Swasthi Shree! Thus says his sacred Majesty, the gracious Great King, glorious Chakravarthi, King of the Kings of Maya, Pihiti and Ruhuna, Mahoora of the Vanniala-aeththo and ruler of all lands from Yapapatuna to Sampanthota, including the ancient capital at Ganga Siri Pura, or Gampola in the Udapalatha of the Kandha-uda-pas-rata: Over a year and a half ago, the Maha Waasala caused a rock edict to be carved, noting that the alfresco musical bali thoyila, otherwise known as the sangeetha sangdharshanaya, which had become one of the most popular forms of pagan worship in this land (second only to the observation of the 'bahubootha pettiya'), had degenerated into a crude display of bakthi through guti keli, or worship by gladiatory, and human sacrifice. Now it has come to the notice of the Maha Wasala that two rival groups of worshippers at a Junthu ritual in the ancient capital of Ganga Siri Pura, or Gampola, had engaged in an attempt at the ritual sacrifice of one another. The murakaara hewayos of that hill metropolis had tried to intervene, but were set upon by young worshippers with oblatory paashanas (rocks) and muguras (cudgels). Two of these ritually massacred murakaara hewayos had to be removed to places of healing. Three of the murakaara rathas were also damaged as the Orphean celebrants attempted to give these as burnt offerings to their yakkos. The beleaguered murakaara hewayos had retaliated by discharging their arrows into the bacchanalian mob. An eighteen year old youth apparently died as a result. Thereafter, the villagers had placed obstacles on the road from Ganga Siri Pura to Senkadagala Siriwardhana Maha Nuwara (Kandy), including the oblatory burning wheels of rathas, possibly as propriations to their tutelary deities. In the meantime, cohorts of imperial soldiers have moved in to keep the peace. It is learnt that resentment is still smouldering between the two camps. So it appears that this kind of sacrificial festival is becoming an annual event, like the Dalada Perahera. Therefore the Maha Waasala has decided to have it expanded into a massive gladiatorial contest between youths and murakaara hewayos. The immense popularity of violence on the bahubootha pettiya would surely attract devotees, not merely of the Yakkos of choral sacrifice (such as the Ahiguntakayo and others of that ilk) but also of the worshippers of blood and gore. This way, we can attract persons interested in culture from the Parangi lands, who at present go to the islands of Bali or of lands of the Yavanas (Greeks). Why see men fighting bulls when it is possible to see men fighting men. The money they spend can go to filling the coffers of the realm. In order to keep the annual festival up to standard, every place of education will have an annual guti keliya in place of their lom kaembili andhina mugdayange keliya, their so-called 'big match'. If necessary we can invite teams of gladiators from the Parangi countries, especially the so-called 'Barmy Army' of Brithaanya (which is always spoiling for a fight anyway), to participate.Indeed, why should the Imperial Army intervene merely to keep the peace? In the future the troops will also participate in a three-cornered guti keliya, a gigantic triangular contest of swords, bows and arrows, rocks and clubs and pestles and mortars. If necessary, the imperial dhandumonaras will descend from the skies and shower the contestants with rocks and stones. Not only will this exercise remove youths from useless pursuits, it will also train them in anticipation of war and will keep the armies of this Dharmadweepa in fine fettle. Swasthi Shree! This rock edict is made on this day of Ravi of the month of Dhuruthu of the Year of the Saka Era 1930. |
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