Towards peace and prosperity
Chelvatamby Maniccavasagar
The Sinhala and Tamil year falls on April 14, 2011 and it is one of
the most important and enjoyable festivals lavishly celebrated as it
marks the beginning of the traditional New Year.
In fact, this New Year emphasises the underlying oneness of our
society. It reflects the homogeneity of thought and tradition that binds
those born in our soil whether they live in North or in South. A common
mood of festivity of goodwill and of generosity, the nearness of their
astrological timing, the parallels in ritualistic observances, all
confirm deeply rooted historical associations. These bonds show
themselves large enough to establish a common allegiance, a common
identity with the land of their birth.
Renewal
This New Year which is universally observed generally includes rites
and ceremonies that are the expressions of modification, prorogation,
invigoration and jubilation over life’s renewal. Furthermore, renewals
mark the course of life in nature and in human existence.
The survival of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year through long periods
of colonialism and westernization testifies to the strength of natural
characters in this country. If establishes the depth and durability of
an indigenous culture. It bears witness to the long traditions that grew
out of Lanka’s own ancient civilization. Pudhu Varudam or New Year which
marks the Hindu Solar New Year beginning on the first of the Tamil Month
of Chittirai. New Year indeed an auspicious occasion which is celebrated
in Punjab, Haryana, Assam, Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Bangladesh,
Burma, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.
Transition of the sun
Further, from time immemorial the Hindus have considered the
transition of the sun as an auspicious event, for the sun is the
presiding Deity of the Planetary System and the entry from pisces, the
last house in the zodiac to Aries, the first house is significant
marking the beginning of the New Year. The Hindu “Alamanac” known as the
Panchaanagam substantiated by astronomical calculations gives as the
exact time of the dawn of the New Year.
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Playing
Rabana. Pictures by Saman Sri Wedage |
Indeed, the month of April also marks the birth of the spring. Even
in the Sangam classics there are references to the joyous activities of
spring. The great Epics Silappadikaram gives a vivid description of
Indira Vizha. The Lord Indira referred to in Silappadikaram and he is
considered to be a God or protection in view of these favourable
factors.
Hindu rituals
On the New Year day, the Hindus particularly the women get up early
in the morning and anoint themselves, apply a Maruthu Neer (Herbal
water) obtained usually from Temples and have a bath during Punniyakalam
(Auspicious time).
They wear new clothes and go to temples for worship. In temples, the
bells ring loudly heralding the Birth of the New Year.
Further, the gentle dawn breeze embraces everyone and instils a sense
of new hope and confidence.
In houses milk rice is cooked with jaggery and offered to the Sun or
the Gods. The poor are treated with lavish meals. The workers, relatives
and neighbours join in merry-making.
Day of fun
The first handling of money is done at the auspicious time. This is
called Kaiveshesham and is always received from good hearted people. It
is also considered to be a lucky transaction and one looks forward to an
year of plenty and prosperity.
To the young, particularly to the children, it is a day of sport and
fun. They enjoy themselves wearing new clothes and lighting of crackers.
The young girls engage themselves in games like swinging etc.
In the evening dance and music recitals are organized in the
Principal villages and towns. In fact, this New Year festival is
significant to one and all since everyone is endeavouring to bring about
peace, ethnic harmony and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.
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A
blindfolded girl breaks the clay pot |
Of the many festivals observed in different parts of the Hindu World
New Year has been one in which all the people in every village or town
to whatever class of society they belong await with great eagerness. The
arrival of the New Year fills us with great happiness, goodwill, and a
sense of expectancy fills the air and the hearts of the Hindus and
Buddhists.
Festival of freedom
In fact, New Year is observed with great reverence, devotion, a sense
of duty and loving kindness towards all enliving the nation and
fostering national consciousness. Indeed, New Year is a festival of
freedom, peace, unity and compassion crystallised in the last hymn on
unity in the Indian spiritual test the Rig Veda: “Let your aim be one
and single, let your heart be joined in one, the mind at rest in unison
at peace with all, so you may be.”
Hence, on this great and glorious occasion of New Year, our paramount
duty is to resist disintegration by strengthening the forces of
integration. Let us not forget that Sri Lanka has a vision and mission.
It should set an example to men everywhere to eschew violence and hatred
and to tread the path of peace, love and compassion.
On this New Year day let me conclude with the soul stirring words of
the great poet Rabindranath Tagore:
“Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high; where
knowledge is free; where the world has not been broken up into fragments
by narrow domestic walls; where words come out from the depth of truth;
where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection; where the
clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreamy desert sand
of dead habit; where the mind is led forward by thee into ever widending
thought and action, into that heaven of freedom, my father, let my
country awake.”
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