5th Column

My dear Avurudu Kumaraya,

I thought I must write to you because you must be wondering what to do these days. If it was any other year, you would have been extremely busy, getting ready for the festive season that will be upon us in a few days. Unfortunately, we are living in extraordinary and unprecedented times.

I suppose the ‘koha’ will still sing – perhaps because he doesn’t need a curfew pass to get around – but everything else will be very different and it is doubtful whether you will be visiting any household for festivities this year. It is quite likely that most homes will not be celebrating the New Year this week.

The last time I can recall a similar happening was nearly 50 years ago. That was when Dudley, a man loved by many people, passed away suddenly on the day of the New Year. Many people refrained from cooking ‘kiribath’ or engaging in festivities as a mark of respect to a true gentleman.

This year, due to the coronavirus, we have been told that we are not out of the woods yet – and that the worst could be yet to come. That is why, Avurudu Kumaraya, we have to ask you too to quarantine yourself well and truly.

At a time when we would usually visit relatives and friends, we are being compelled to stay at home. Staying away from others instead of giving a hug or shaking hands has become a sign of caring. Gatherings and get-togethers, usually the norm for this time of the year, are being frowned upon.

You must be annoyed by all this, Avurudu Kumaraya. You used to visit most villages in Paradise and we engaged in the traditional ‘avurudu uthsavaya’ or New Year festivities. Don’t despair though: all is not lost and we can still engage in a few New Year games even though you may not realise it.

While most people are now following medical advice and the orders issued by the government, there are still a few people engaging in ‘gama harahaa diveema’ or ‘running across the country’ in a bid to evade detection or quarantine, or trying to escape the curfew. That is not only sad, it is also foolish.

Closely associated with that is the ‘sengavunu amuththa seveema’ or ‘finding the disguised guest’. That is what health authorities are doing in their attempts to locate those who have gone into hiding when they felt they had contracted the virus.

These days most political parties are also trying to do the ‘lissana gahey negeema’ or ‘climbing the greasy pole’. They want to somehow get to the top at the upcoming general elections by hook or by crook but they are being constantly dragged down by the coronavirus and its disastrous effects.

The game of ‘kotta pora’ or ‘pillow fights’ is also alive and well this New Year. That is being played between Maco, who runs the elections, and PB, who is the secretary to the big boss. PB has written a nasty letter trying to tell Maco how to do his job and we are waiting to see who will fall down first.

In the middle of all of this, there is a game of ‘kanaa muttiya bindeema’ or the ‘blindfolded man smashing the pot’ being played out as well. That is being played in two different ways. On the one hand, Rauff is swinging out wildly, trying to smash the scientific advice about the disposal of bodies.

On the other hand, there is another group lashing out equally ferociously at Rauff’s community, trying to tell us that the blame for the spread of the virus is the fault of this community. This is a dangerous game to be played at this time and the sooner both parties realise this, the better it will be for Paradise.

Avurudu Kumaraya, I am sure you must also be concerned about who your Avurudu Kumaari will be this year. Because the traditional festivities will not be held, that will be a difficult decision, but there is always Pavithra who doesn’t shy away from a photo opportunity, even with an infected person!

We hope, Avurudu Kumaraya, your spirit of being one with nature and celebrating ancient values will hold us in good stead as we struggle through these difficult times. We hope you will visit us in all your glory next year and that we can celebrate the Sinhala and Tamil New year as a healthy nation!

Yours truly,

Punchi Putha

PS: There is another New Year game that is being played, even during these difficult days. That is ‘aliyata ehe thibeema’ or ‘placing the eye on the elephant’. Both Ranil and Sajith are trying to play it to the best of their abilities, but neither of them is even close to where the eye should really be!