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‘Come, buy our frames’
By N.Dilshath Banu
It's a common sight in the city as the hallowed festival of Vesak draws near; the dainty Vesak kudus that grace every home, large and small. Making Vesak kudus however, can be time consuming and in this modern age when people are often too busy for the simple joys of life, the answer for many is to buy the frame and then just paste the paper on.

And so at every street corner, we see people selling the frames of kudus in shapes, big and small, simple and elaborate for customers to take their pick. One of the first to get into business this Vesak season were two old friends who chose a strategic spot opposite McDonalds at Rajagiriya to display their lantern frames. As we stop by, they are busy adding the final touch to a 'nelum mal vesak kuduwa' in a small hut made of bamboo sticks and covered by mats.

"You don't need to make a huge investment to produce Vesak lanterns. It's just about spending some time. That's why I am enjoying this work," said Seeman Weligama, who's now 75, but has capabilities beyond his age.

Seeman and his friend, 56-year-old Bandula Perera started to make Vesak lanterns as a hobby, but for the past 16 years, it has become a part of their lives. "We make the frames because it's easy for people to take home when it's half done, even in a bus. And also, then people have a wider choice," said Seeman, tying a wire around a star-shaped lantern.

"It takes me an entire day to finish a nelum mal kuduwa, but there are other kinds of lanterns which can be made within 15 minutes. The most difficult part when producing a lantern, is getting the sticks prepared. We have to peel the bamboo into tiny pieces. That takes a lot of time and energy. Other than that, making lanterns is really fun," Seeman added.

Seeman recalled that he used to work as a painter for the British High Commission. Once he retired, he felt he needed to do something to occupy himself and so teamed up with Bandula who made his living doing a bit of carpentry and selling plantains in his neighbourhood. He had lots of time and wanted to make use of it.

"My children are grown up now, and are no longer dependent on me. So I thought of doing something that would occupy me and also make me happy," said Bandula.

Bandula's day begins as early as four in the morning and sometimes he continues late into the night as Vesak approaches. He says that he does not plan to go home until Vesak is over. His family members bring him all three meals and sometimes both he and Seeman make tea for themselves. "Normally between ten in the morning and seven in the evening, many people flock to buy lanterns. And we sell the lantern at a reasonable price, from Rs. 45 to 250 so that they are affordable to all," said Bandula.

And what happens once Vesak is over? Seeman and Bandula are not planning to move out; they are going into a new venture- making and selling kites

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