When the sun transits from the House of Pisces (Meena Rashiya) to the House of Aries (Mesha Rashiya), our young generation shifts from their ‘Screen Worlds’ to the real natural world.
Glued to the tab screens, lap screens and phone screens, many seem to have forgotten even their kin and kith. In such a backdrop Sinhala and Tamil New Year dawns to remind us about our loved ones.
Let’s discuss how this cultural event enriches our lives. According to our traditional Sinhala calendar, Sinhala and Tamil New Year dawns in the month of Bak. When the new year dawns, there emerge many changes in our natural environment.
Bearing sweet scented flowers and fruits, trees such as bak mee, erabadu signal us about the dawning of Sinhala and Tamil New Year and we tend to enjoy this cultural event with adherence to the principles of nature. Whispers of tiny birds in the air, the sound of rabana, the aroma of sweetmeat and the cuckoo birds’ songs symbolize that all are ready to celebrate this national festival. Sinhala and Tamil New Year awakens the true spirit of togetherness and Sri Lankanness in our hearts. What brings us together is none other than pre-determined auspicious times because we all do everything at one time.
Honestly, well-experienced astrologers deserve all credit for scheduling the auspicious moments. In addition, rituals which are associated with Sinhala and Tamil New Year begin with bathing on the last day of the old year.
Not only that, viewing the new moon on the same day is also important. Even today temples in far-flung villages announce the auspicious times for rituals by peeling of the bell accompanied with the beating of drums (hewisi).
Unity
Sinhala and Tamil New Year strengthens the relationship with family members. New pot, new hearth, new clothing, new wishes symbolize unity and prosperity. All family members who spent time strolling up and down on the FB wall can be found gathering around the new hearth and helping the mother to boil fresh milk.
When the milk starts overflowing from the pot amid blessings with a hissing sound, all eyes shine and brim with hopes and wishes. Facing the auspicious direction, they light the hearth to prepare the traditional kiribath (milk rice) at the auspicious time. Milk rice (Kiribath) reunites all families around the table.
Father usually feeds a mouthful of kiribath to each family member at the beginning. After that, all family members sit around the table and have their meals. The hath maluwa with seven different flavours thrills our taste buds. It is a speciality dish prepared during Avurdu. Other festive sweetmeats are generally made in advance to serve visitors and neighbors as a sign of goodwill.
Children in the family worship their parents and grand-parents by offering betel on the Avurudu day and receive blessings from them in return. The other important fact is nonagathe known as the “Punya Kalaya”. During nonagathe all family members have to contribute to religious activities without performing any other task.
During the Avurudu season we do not visit our neighbours, relations and friends empty handed. Definitely, you will share your plate of sweetmeats with your loved ones. This is how unity and brotherhood is born in our hearts. Surprisingly, this trend of caring and sharing is evident even on social media these days. New Year wishes, posts and SMS being shared on FB walls testify to the above fact.
Oil-anointing ceremony
History revealed that anointing one’s head with ‘nanu’ (herbal oil) is one of the ‘nekath’ under the Uttara Bharata Shastra. An elder in the family usually anoints the young with ‘Nanu’ before bathing while invoking the blessings for longevity.
Going deeper, it is clear that herbal baths give one physical purification. When one takes a herbal bath, anointed with oil, it provides a relaxing and soothing effect for the body. Traditionally, the chief monk takes the responsibility for the oil anointing ceremony.
Avurudu games
There are many games associated with Avurudu. Such interesting games contribute to both physical fitness and interpersonal relationships with one another. There is no need to say that riding the swing on Avurudu day is very common. Interestingly, one can find an aesthetic value attached to the game of riding the swings because of onchili waram (verses sung when riding the swing).
“Inda gannam usa
putuwaka guwana
Bada gannam
jaya konde muduna
Anda gannam
wathakuth abarana
Weda gannam
narayana sarana
Udin udama
uda makkama welle
Wasina wasina wesi
e gala palle
Duwana duwana
nav samudura elle
Sodin padimu api
ran onchille”
Except for onchili waram, there are more verses and poems associated with certain Awurudu games. One such examples is Olida kavi.
Olinda thibenne koi koi dese,
Olinda thibenne bangali dese…..
Genath handanne koi koi dese,
Genath handanne Sinhala dese…
Raban pada
Dontha Babakkata
Denda Deyak Netha
Petta Gamak Uda
Thuttu Dekak Atha
Udin Udin Wara Pettappu
Bimin Bimin Wara Pettappu
Udin Udin Wara
Bimin Bimin Wara
Kewum Kanna Wara Pettappu
There are more outdoor games including olinda keliya, eluvan keliya, mevara sellama, raban upatha, buhu keliya, muthi gesilla, muthu keliya, onchili varam and mee sellama. Interestingly, selecting the Avurudu Kumaraya is also a popular game.
The most significant fact is that all Avurudu games give opportunities for villagers to renew their friendships. On one hand, talented ones in the village can try their luck by participating in such competitions.
Strong boys don’t think twice to prove their bodily strength by climbing up the greasy tree. Not only that, the pillow fight game also plays an important role among outdoor games. Speaking of all Avurudu games, what takes the pride and the name of the village to the city is Awuru Kumara and Kumari pageant.
It is needless to say that anyone dreams of nabbing the crown in front of a large gathering. Atired in princely and glamorous clothes, Avurudu Kumaraya and Kumariya showcase their beauty and unique looks at the pageant. It is crystal clear that Sinhala and Tamil New Year is not only a national event. It serves as a source of love and affection, bridging the social chasm.
