• Award-winning choreographer, dancer, and percussionist Kala Keerthi Ravibandhu Vidyapathy on engaging in Avurudu traditions

When we celebrate Avurudu or the Sinhala and Tamil New Year this month (in April), Sri Lankans engage in a host of age-old traditions and rituals. But, do we actually know why we do these? For instance, observing the ‘nonagathaya’, the reason for auspicious times, the boiling of milk, oil anointing, the games, and the seemingly endless list of traditions that we must follow sometimes baffle the mind. We may know vignettes of the whys and wherefores, but, it is always good to know the roots to these rituals. 

Kala Keerthi Ravibandhu Vidyapathy has delved into Sri Lanka’s rituals from ages past, to expand his repository of knowledge, which he adds to his dance and drum related treasure trove. He was on ‘Kaleidoscope’ last week with much to explain about the ins and outs of Avurudu traditions and rituals. 

Following are excerpts from the interview:

How did the Sinhala and Tamil New Year come together at this time of the year?

It happens according to the South Asian calendar, which is based on the movement of the sun. The New Year period, according to what is known as the Panchanga/Panchāngamu/Pancanga/Panchaanga/Panchāng calendar of the South Indian Hindu tradition, begins when the sun appears in the zodiac sign of Aries, on 14 April. The Sinhala people celebrate it as a transition from the previous zodiac sign, Pisces, to Aries, on 13 and 14 April. So, the Sinhala and Tamil New Year comes together mainly through sun worship, a tradition going back to time immemorial. 

This is also the time of harvesting. With the harvest completed, people rejoice and celebrate nature. As agricultural communities, the Sinhalese and Tamil people celebrate the Sinhala and Tamil New Year around the same time.

Are there marked differences in how the Sinhalese and Tamils celebrate New Year?

For me, it’s the people; they belong to different communities but share similar cultures. You could say that it’s the same culture expressed in different ways. So yes, there are some marked differences. For example, we call it ‘Avurudu’ because ‘Avu’ refers to the sun. The word is coined around that meaning; it’s about the sun coming directly overhead, steadying above the country. The Tamil people call it ‘Koothandu’.

Celebrations differ too. The Sinhalese decorate tables with various sweets and follow an auspicious time to light the hearth and partake of meals. The Tamil people begin the day by observing auspicious items placed in designated areas. 

That’s one marked difference: how the day starts. In terms of décor, we colour-wash our homes and bring in new furniture and curtains for the New Year. The Tamils decorate the entrance with ‘kolam’, which means decoration – using coloured rice flour to paint intricate designs on the ground. So yes, there are differences in how the celebrations are expressed, but, I believe that it’s still the same culture.

What is the significance of the ‘nonagathaya’? Why do we observe that time?

The word ‘nonagathaya’ comes from ‘non-nakatha’, meaning that there’s no auspicious time. It’s a short time span – maybe a couple of hours – just before the auspicious moment to start the day or light the hearth. This in-between time is considered neither auspicious nor inauspicious, it’s neutral. People believe that it’s the best time to engage in religious activities. 

The custom dates back to the 18th Century, during the time of the Nayakar kings who ruled the Kandyan Kingdom. Even though some of these kings embraced Buddhism, they brought with them Hindu traditions. The king would visit the Temple of the Tooth relic (Dalada Maligawa, now in Kandy) during the ‘nonagathaya’ and his subjects followed suit. That tradition has continued to this day.

Why are there auspicious times for everything – lighting the oil lamp, stepping out of the house, etc.?

We believe that there’s a good time for every activity. Imagine an entire country, its communities, all doing the same thing at the same moment. The blessings and the impact of that unity are believed to be far more powerful. It symbolises the strength of togetherness.

Why do we boil milk to start off the New Year?

Boiling milk symbolises prosperity and abundance. The act of letting the milk boil over the container is seen as a sign of overflowing wealth. Milk – especially cow’s milk – is considered pure. This is largely rooted in the Hindu tradition, which we’ve adopted beautifully. 

The cow is also considered sacred. For instance, in Indian mythology, there’s a heavenly cow called ‘Kamadhenu’. ‘Kama’ means all forms of wealth and prosperity and ‘Dhenu’ is the giver. So ‘Kamadhenu’ is the one who gives abundance. Because of that divine connection, cow’s milk is chosen for the boiling ritual; it carries a sense of holiness.

What about the games, especially the funny ones that make us laugh? How did those come about?

Most of these comical games, with folk songs, rhymes, drums, and dance, seem to have come about recently. Take the lime-on-a-spoon race, for example. In the West, there’s a similar game with eggs. Cultures mingle, and sometimes, new elements get integrated. 

Also, during this spring season, people are in a lighter mood, so, it makes sense that the games are funny and playful rather than serious. The goal is to keep people happy and doing silly and fun games is very much in line with that goal.

Why is there an oil anointing ceremony?

The oil anointing ceremony usually takes place on 16 April, two days after the main New Year rituals. Traditionally, it follows the harvest. The ‘Hisa Thel Gama’ is done to bless people with good health, and monks usually lead the ceremony. The oil used is a mix of ingredients – various oils, herbs, and parts of fruit. 

The person kneels or stands generally on a bed of neem leaves which also forms a canopy on top of the head, while the monk anoints you. Neem is a disinfectant, so it’s symbolic of protection from illness. It’s a blessing ritual for good health. 

The members of the local community gather for this tradition, which is also symbolic of the power of a community in protecting each other.

Avurudu is about bringing communities and villages together. Are these traditions fading with time?

I wouldn’t say that they are fading, but rather evolving with time. The context is different now. In the past, for example, there was a custom of cleaning the hearth made of three stones. It was part of cleaning the kitchen and preparing for the New Year. People would leave the ashes and firewood, etc, swept up from the old hearth, at a junction – usually where three roads meet. Today, even in rural areas, people use gas burners. So instead, they clean the gas stove, colour-wash the kitchen, and continue the practice in a way that fits current life. 

Some customs are still preserved in traditional form, like offerings at temples, with drumming, praying, and the ringing of the temple bell. These rituals have been passed down for generations. So, while some things evolve, many practices still remain rooted in tradition. That’s the beauty of this season.

(The writer is the host, director, and co-producer of the weekly digital programme ‘Kaleidoscope with Savithri Rodrigo’ which can be viewed on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. She has over three decades of experience in print, electronic, and social media.