It’s the New Year season again, that time of the year when the whole country decorates itself, swathed in new clothes, and people visit relatives, greet neighbours and share happiness and food, watching cheesy New Year themed (mandatory) teledramas on TV.
But is that all there is for the New Year? I remember a childhood, very much different to the New Year I celebrate now, a childhood full of happiness in its purest sense; it had nothing to do with food or new clothes, just unconditional happiness.
The New Year season then began with the visit to grandparents, and surrendering the cats and dogs who otherwise ruled the front yard as well as the back yard, to play the games we wanted. It doesn’t take long for the uncles and aunts to join in and the games would naturally turn into what we call ‘New Year Games’; playing with Olinda, Wala Kaju and many more games some of which I now only remember by the names. I have forgotten the rules of the games. But I remember screaming with glee, when playing.
The most delightful part of the pre New Year days is setting up the swing, on our favourite branch of the mango tree in the front yard of grandparents’ home, and all the cousins would obediently (!!!) take turns to play on the swing.
Observing New Year rituals, relating New Year stories, created the best memories of childhood days.
As we grew up, I learnt the bigger picture, how it carries a larger, deeper meaning of peace and reconciliation for both, the Sinhalese and the Tamils. But, as that message developed, the New Year became a happy memory that I revisit annually.
The New Year has been, along with everything else, commercialized over time, with best offers here and best offers there, with sales and discounts for bank ATM cards. Along the way, I believe we have lost the purpose of the New Year. We have grown-up, with barely enough leave to take a long break home for celebrations, the next generation will only scrap the experiences I had around the New Year.It has started to make sense when my parents tell the same. Only the mango tree remains to bear witness to the changes that time has brought.
(IK)