Lighting up an old tale with a local touch
View(s):First ever Christmas pandal spreads the news of joy
By Sandarangi Perera
How do you get the message of Christmas across to people who may not be quite familiar with the story of Jesus Christ’s birth and life? This Christmas, Back to the Bible, a Christian inter-denominational movement, has done something novel yet familiar by creating the country’s very first Christmas pandal. Inspired by Vesak pandols, Back to the Bible chose this medium to communicate to all the true meaning of Christmas.
Last year the organisation held street dramas to tell the story of Christmas and the reason for choosing a pandal this year was simply because they are such familiar structures to Sri Lankans, says Managing Director of Back to the Bible, Mayukha Perera.
“We are trying to use a familiar method of communication to communicate a message that might be unfamiliar. Hopefully, because of the means we used, people will be able to understand and benefit from it,” he added. The idea was initiated by a staff member of Back to the Bible but the complete creation of the pandal, which stands at their office premises at Dharmapala Mawatha near Town Hall, Colombo, had been a combined effort.
Once armed with the concept, they contacted a group who design Vesak pandals and had it made.
The pandal is accompanied by a ten minute narration on the birth and life of Christ. Yet another innovative idea is the video included at the centre. Mr. Perera feels this pandal symbolises a more Sri Lankan way of celebrating Christmas instead of the usual Christmas tree and Santa Claus that have somewhat deviated from the true meaning of this special season, as many do not even know what these decorations truly speak of.
“The birth of Christ meant good news of great joy to all people and that is what we are trying to do here, to share this great joy,” stated Mr. Perera, emphasising the fact that it is not only the Christian community which they are trying to reach, because regardless of one’s faith the true message of Christmas is relevant to everyone.
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