Avurudu spirit
View(s):The koha latches on the tree outside, as it sings to us, but there are some of us who unfortunately don’t get the chance to hear the call of the koha as the Sinhala and Tamil New Year is heralded in the country. We ask youngsters many miles away of what Avurudhu means to them. What we find out is that despite who celebrates and who doesn’t, it means the same for all ethnicities. A time for new beginnings intertwines in a spirit of togetherness for all Sri Lankans
For Roshan Dalpadado, who is currently in Australia feels that Avurudhu, like any other major holiday-festival is a way of promoting unity, and offering an opportunity to celebrate different cultures, but also, so much more; the preservation of tradition and the maintenance of interracial bonds and friendship.
Manjaree Gamage, counts herself lucky to have sneaked home for Avurudhu. A university student in the UK she says, “Avurudhu for me is waking up at 5 a.m and watching the milk boil and eating avurudhu food and ganudhey of course. I still haven’t missed a new year because it falls in the Easter Vacation, so I get to come home for it. It’s a joyous period of time that strengthens the bond between us Sri Lankans.”
“Avurudhu to me has always meant family and celebrating family with a certain routine. I’m not incredibly religious, but the morning puja and breakfast has always meant a lot, because despite where we lived, it was a constant that we’ve always followed, says Priyanka Krishnamoorthy, who is currently in India.
For some the New Year season means togetherness and family but there are those who also see the season as a reason to dress up. “I guess I’d say I see it as a time to wear a batik sarong and shirt,” says Mohamed Nafeel, currently in Malaysia, adding that the day offers the opportunity to eat food that he wouldn’t ordinarily eat. Plus, getting to play fun games. But without a doubt, it’s that time of the year where I feel most Sri Lankan.”
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