Frames of difference
Puwak and steel
- Sunday Observer photographer Chintaka Kumarasinghe looks for substance
behind the Pandal pomp and discovers the contrasts of tradition and
expedience
It is not likely to stir up a great debate, for what matters at the
end of the day is the ostentatious spectacle that has become a major
part of the Vesak traditions. But with days left for the holidays that
mark the birth, death and enlightenment of the Buddha, it isn't the near
gaudy manifestation of the Great One's life lessons you see. Rather, it
is the almost stark, bare-boned structure made of logs and steel and
ropes and rivets that tell a different kind of story.... a story of
trees and steel, of flexibility and firmness, of traditions and
expedience and of changing times.
 |
| Dematagoda |
Bo-gaha junction
|
Thotalanga |
 |
| |
 |
|
Manning Market |
Puwak (areca nut or more commonly known as betel nut) logs and rope
have been used for scores of years to create the support structure for
the pandals, which with fancy lights and colourful painting, get
transformed into works of art that bring to life the lessons of the
Buddha.
The changing times and modern day constraints have however meant that
a new player has entered the scene, giving a cheaper, more sustainable,
though rigid option.
Bo-gaha junction
The new player is of course steel pipes, ordered in bulk at required
lengths and fixed with rivets according to the specification of the
pandal architect. The pandal at the bo-gaha junction in Pettah is coming
to life with these pipes. An even 60ft in height and breadth, it uses
650 pipes of varying lengths, and looks as sturdy as the puwak log
counterparts.
The organizers of the pandal claim they opted for the steel pipes
because of the space constraints rather than any consideration for
changing times. "We don't have the space here to store the quantity of
puwak logs required for the pandal," says one of the organizers.
However, all admit that steel pipes are more convenient, cost effective
as they can be re-used any number of times, easy to assemble and also
saves a lot of time.
Manning Market
However, a different story is unfolding at the Manning Market a few
hundred yards away, where another iconic pandal is coming to life. The
structure standing 58ft tall and 60ft wide is all about tradition, with
the organizers, the Manning Market traders, opting to use puwak logs
that had been used for hundreds of years. Steel is not an option the
traders have given much thought to, though, they might give it some
serious consideration in the future.
For now, they don't mind extra work required to make the venture cost
effective, which means getting the logs from the source in Mathugama
According to the traders, buying it direct from Mathugama, where
puwak trees are grown especially for the pandal market, only costs them
Rs 350 per log, whereas, if they were to buy it from Colombo, it would
cost them Rs 1500 or even more per log. The pandal requires 400 logs.
Thotalanga
Puwak or steel? The Thotalanga pandal is a story of no option, with
the organizers compelled to go the traditional way, because of factors
beyond their control. "We would have liked to use steel, because of its
convenience, but it's not an option because of its rigidity," explains
one of the organizers, pointing out that the pandal sight is buffeted by
strong winds from the river and a steel frame would bend and become
distorted ruining the entire pandal. "Because of their flexibility,
Puwak frames end up being sturdier, swaying with the wind instead of
fighting it," he claims.
So puwak it is for the Thotalanga traders, who get their logs from
Rambukkana at a cost of Rs 800 per tree. The pandal, which stands 65ft
tall and 75ft wide, requires 350 logs, which means the cost for the logs
alone is Rs 400,000.
The entire pandal, which is being put up for the 63rd time cost a
whopping Rs. 2.8 million and this time around depicts the story two
brothers fighting for a gem studded chair. |
