TWENTY-FITH NEW YEAR CELEBRATION OF THE TRADITIONAL GROUP HELD AT GARDENA RECREATING FESTIVE LANKAN ATMOSPHERE

By Walter Jayawardhana

The happy moments of the advent of a traditional Sinhala New Year were recreated with the participation of nearly a thousand people at Gardena in the suburbs of Los Angeles when ‘Avurudu Ekamuthuwa’ , a dedicated group of Sinhala traditionalists held the New Year celebrations at this Los Angeles suburb for the twenty-fifth consecutive year on April 21.

The celebrations which were started in a small courtyard with the nucleus of the extended family of Mr. Joseph Silva quarter of a century ago has now grown into a celebration of hundreds of Sinhala families who participate at the Thronburg Park in Gardena, where they usually hold the celebration each year.

Although Joseph Silva has turned 82 years and his whistle starting Sri Lankan traditional games turned 25 years, every year the nostalgic Sinhala people, especially the ones with little children who want to partake with traditional Kevun and Kokis and train their children in age old customs like respecting their elders have been increasingly flocking to this ceremony over the years said, master of ceremonies, Ananda Markalanda at the function. Sheafs of betel exchanging hands therefore became a common sight at this new year festival.

Joseph Silva was still seen actively organizing the event, and like during the last 25 years his wife, Mrs. Winifred Silva made the welcoming speech in Sinhala. She said on a New Year day, traditional Sinhala man looked back at the old year, corrected his faults, pardoned the wrong doers and made friends with the enemies, to start the life afresh, with a new meaning.

 

Everybody missed Father Flavian Wilathgamuwa who originally participated in the event, but Venerable Chao Chu (Venerable Gunaratana) who accompanied him throughout the twenty four years was there to start the ceremony with religious rites. Father Bonifece Perera replaced Father Wilathgamuwa who is ailing, feeble and old now.

Kevun, Kokis, Mun Kevum, and other traditional treats for the ceremony have been imported from Sri Lanka for the ceremony like during most of the past years , organizers said.

Jaliya Wickramasuriya , Consul General, Los Angeles said it was refreshing to note that traditional Sri Lankan atmosphere has been recreated at this Thornburg Park ceremony and he was really smelling, hearing and seeing Sri Lankan Avurudu joy recreated in a small park thousands of miles away from home. After the religious rites were performed the traditional Kiribath and kevun breakfast was served before the traditional games like Goni Race, (the sack race) , tug of war in which ladies showed their brawn in animated postures, Aliyata Esa thebeema. (marking the eye of the elephant) , the contest of breaking the pot by blindfolded men and women who were aiming with a stick at a hanging pot from a tree, throwing and catching water balloons , Kottapora (the pillow fights) and other athletic events were performed similar to the ones seen in rural new year celebrations in Sri Lanka.

The sumptuous new year lunch was served after the athletic events. The most interesting event of the day was the fancy dress parade of the under twelve where the participants had to show their other talents like singing . Kiara Jayawardena , the upcountry bride, although not very shy walked in the parade joyfully dancing to a music and the Sinhala farmer clad in amude, Niluksha de Alwis , sang on the platform won the hearts of many.

The following were the participants of the event: Fancy Dress contest (Children Under 12) 1 Kiara Gunawardena- upcountry bride 2.Village farmer- Niluksha De Alwis 3. Watering Village Damsel- Aniska Abeyratne 3. Fish vendor- Ronel Chndrasekera 4. Shamini Kaluthanthirge- vegetable vendor 5. village damsel- Siara Gunawardena 6. lady doctor- Chatuni Liyanage 7. fruit vendor- Senuki Chndrasekera 8. cow girl- Iandi Chandrasekera 9. cricketer- Aman Aga 10. mermaid- Chamindri Brhamanage 11. new year beauty- Ayesha Chamali 12. New Year queen- Dilki Botejue (Adults) Guru- Bhadraji Jayatilaka Montessori baby- Nimal Perera Animal sounds- Ray Craze Sri Lankan marriage proposal- Thusari Jayasekera. The adult events were given by professional actors.