Towards peace and prosperity

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.
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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.

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.

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.”
Daily News by Chelvatamby Maniccavasagar