Dear Son,

In less than two days our Aluth Avurudu dawns. For the first time in your life, you wouldn’t be celebrating New Year with us, son. We are really going to miss you. But Ammi has arranged Punchi to pick you up tomorrow morning and take you to her place. You can participate in all the New Year traditions this year with her and family. We will skype you on that day and try to be with you as long as possible. Our blessings are with you, son, no matter where you are.

In a rapidly advancing and diversifying global landscape, the need to keep and preserve tradition is more than ever relevant. These practices have withstood the test of time, and yet, I feel that they are now facing their most critical challenge yet. This challenge is undoubtedly the need to disallow or prevent modern day life style to replace or take over, the inner sanctums of these age-old traditions.

In recent times, we have seen these mindsets, which were heavily influenced by custom and tradition shift, to allow influences from today’s society to ignore or insult these traditions. A good example would be the traditional belief of those of us that wearing black during celebrations is an inauspicious omen. Observe recent years and notice that black is becoming a common sight at such celebratory events; from New Year to Weddings. Very much the contrary a generation ago when black was strictly associated with mourning.

Few years ago I was watching a recording of a Papal conclave. I watched with sheer amazement as traditions dating back two millennia took centre stage.

Ponder on how a simple puff of white smoke sends a crowd ecstatic. This is the unique power of tradition. We saw on Television, scenes that made the entire process of electing a new Pope unique. Technology meets tradition in this old fashioned method.

Looking at my Muslim friends fast during Ramadan, also struck a deep chord in me. Yes, I have been told that the fast is for Muslims to purge their sins and understand the suffering of the less privileged. And somehow, I wondered why changing mindsets did not change the significance of the fast.

This only goes to show that staunch followers of a tradition will ensure that that tradition withstands the test of time, no matter what modern mechanics can do to it, fully keeping intact, the rightful ethics and values accorded to it by believers.

It is, with such firm believers and their desire to conform to and protect their beliefs and traditions that make them the ‘defenders’ of traditions today. And let’s be honest traditions are now at a ‘crossroads’. Traditions face the very imposing threat that technology and human advancement will have on its relevance and significance.

How can we ensure the survival of these traditions, which are priceless - in terms of its historical, and cultural significance - for future generations? It is appreciation and understanding of these traditions that I believe, will ensure their place for posterity.

So son, respect our culture; respect our traditions; follow the New Year customs to the letter. This is the only way we could preserve the backbone of our country.

Happy New Year to you from all of us!

Thaththi