“We lack road, water, and housing facilities. Our children are unable to attend school regularly as there is no proper transport service. We don’t have any facility and leading the same life even now as same as 18 years ago”.
This is a cry of an Internally Displaced single mother from Jaffna, A. Shahula shared her agony while chewing betel. She is living with her two kids in Saltern 2 welfare camp in Puttlam.
Most of them are still leading their lives in welfare camps, and lack the normal living standard of a person. A large number of internally displaced persons from Jaffna are living in Thillaiyady, which is called “Little Jaffna”. These Internally Displaced Persons feel that, there is a discrimination between the Internally Displaced Persons from Jaffna and Mannar. They are frustrated about the long delay in distribution of services and goods.
The People’s Revival Front was inaugurated in order to fulfill the needs of the IDPs, who languish in the welfare camps for nearly two decades. They say that, they have been cheated by the politicians, and they want a political representation for the Internally Displaced Persons from Jaffna.
[Slide presentation: Internally Displaced Persons in Puttlam launch Political Front]
“Our people have lost many of their rights. We want to make a difference in their lives and restore their rights. We like to resettle them back in their own places and solve their hardships. These are the main reasons for us to start a new political party. Starting a new party was a long due, we must have started this party 10 or 15 years ago” says M. M. Kuthoos, the President of People’s Revival Front as a call for prayer was called in the evening.
There were 20,000 Muslims, who got evicted from Jaffna district in 1990. The number and the needs have doubled during nearly two decades. There are about 15,000 registered voters among the Jaffna Internally Displaced Persons in Puttlam.
The part of the trouble that has developed in Puttlam is between the IDPs and the host community, there aren’t enough jobs and resources for both.
“We are living with a lot of hardships in the welfare camps. There is no job opportunity, rations are not given at regular intervals. We receive the rations after four or five months” lamented S. H. Mansoor, who is running a small grocery shop adjoining his thatched house in Saltern 2 camp.
The members of the host community in Puttlam believe that, the beginning of a new party such as People’s Revival Front is a good move to meet the needs of the Internally Displaced Persons.
“When the minority political parties contest along with the majority political parties, there are injustices such as poll rigging” said S.R.M.Muzammil, the Chief Trustee of Puttlam Grand Mosque and a member of the host community as he relaxes and supervises in his coconut grove.
Internally Displaced Persons are hopeful that the People’s Revival Party will be able to solve their problems in the future. According to the President of the People’s Revival Front that, they are planning to register it in the near future.
Puttlam is situated on the coastal belt of North Western Province. According to a survey carried out by the District Secretariat of Puttlam, the total population of the district is 8,14,000. Sinhala population is 5,85,000, Muslim population is 1,49,000, and Tamil population is 80,000. There are currently 75,000 Internally Displaced Persons from Northern Province in Puttlam.
Audio in Tamil:Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai talks to Internally Diplaced Persons in Puttlam on their new effort:
“Puththaandu” or “Puthu Varusham” literally translates New Year. The New Year is the harbinger of spring. Tamil and Sinhala New Year dawns on April 13th 2008 at 4.55 pm according to Vaakkiya Panchaangam, and at 6.29 pm according to Thirukanitha Panchaangam on Poosam Natchaththiram first stage. Vishu Punniya Kaalam or auspicious time is 12.55 pm to 8.55pm. Panchaangam is an almanac.
The auspicious colour for this year is red silk or red and green colour mixed silk. And the auspicious stone is gem or emerald. The New Year will be called “Sarvathaari”. This is the 22nd year of the 60 year cycle of the Tamil calendar. There are twelve astronomically ordained houses. They are:
The Sun moves into the Meda Veedu (Aries) from Meena Veedu (Pisces), which falls in Mid April is celebrated as the Tamil New Year. It’s the commencement of the Tamil month Chiththirai . April is the month of reveal and revelry. It’s an auspicious month for the Tamils. Feasts, fasts, festivals and family events are scheduled during the month of “Chiththirai”.The New Year falls during the “Ilavenil Kaalam” or spring time for the Tamils. It’s also noted that, the birds begin to hum, flowers bloom and trees with fresh green leaves during the spring time. The Sun travels from Meda Veedu and stays in other houses respectively throughout twelve months. The whole journey through each house takes one year.
[Sarvathaari Celebration: Kurai Onrum Illai (No Regrets Have I) A Saxophone rendering of the Tamil composition of C. Rajagopalachari, by Kadri Gopalnath]
The Hindus clean the houses and compound before the New Year; have “Maruththu Neer” (made of various herbals) bath; dressed in new clothes according to the year’s lucky colour and welcome the New Year by lighting fire crackers and make sweet rice at home. Hindus queue up at temple to get “Maruththu Neer” (medicinal water) to anoint at the dawn of New Year. “Maruththu Neer” is made of “Arugu”, “Vilvam”, “Kondral”, “Aal”, “Arasu” (bo tree leaves), “Mathulai” (pomegranate) , “Thamarai” (lotus), “Thulasi”, “Kosalam”, “Komayam”, Milk, King Coconut, Rose water, “Sukku” (dried ginger), Cardamom, and Nutmeg. These ingredients are boiled together for few minutes and made as watery. Variety of decoration adorn the temples and houses on this day.
People throng the temples to worship for the wellbeing of their families. Special meals are cooked and shared with relatives and friends on this day. On an auspicious time first cash transaction called “Kai Vishesham” is made by the head of the family to the rest of the family. Auspicious time for money transaction is on April 14th from 12.26pm to 2.02pm.
The Tamil calendar has 60 year cycle according to “Vaakkiya Panchchaangam” and Thirukanitha Panchchaangam” (traditional Tami Almanacs). They are named as follows:
After the completion of 60 year cycle, the calendar starts from the beginning with the first year.
The Sinhalese too celebrate their new year on April 13th 2008 with their traditions. They dress up in new clothes, worship the elders and transact cash and partake in meals. Women play the “Raban” during the festive time. Children and adults enjoy singing traditional folk songs and play traditional sports. It’s an occasion for celebration and fun.
A view of the Kopuram of Sammankodu Sri Kathirvelaiyutha Swamy temple in Bambalapitiya from Naattukottai Nagaraththaar New Kathiresan temple in Bambalapitty
Fire crackers and fruit stall in Bambalapitty
Thiruchelvam is making garlands in Bambalapityy. He is better known as Thiru among his customers
Maruththu Neer is being prepared at Naattukottai Nagaraththar New Kathiresan temple
Flower garlands reflect on the mirrors of a car parked on Galle Road in Bambalapitty
Fresh flower garlands adorn the temples and houses
Pillaiyar made of Saffron flour and kept in a shrine room of a Hindu house
Kumbam is set in the shrine room
Offerings of sweet rice, banana and vadai to the Sun
Betel and arecanut are considered holy by the Hindus
Offerings of Vadai
The first money transaction in the new year takes place at an auspicious time
“Sapparam”- the colourful festival was held at Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar Devasthanam on March 19th. This particular festival takes place in the night at temples. The “Sapparam” is a lighted vehicle for the conveyance of the idol.
The annual festival of Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar Devasthanam began with hoisting of the “Nanthi” flag on March 12th 2008. Special poojas were held during the festival time. The temple was decorated with fresh flowers, mango leaves, and variety of “Kolam” designs.
All the idols were carried by men inside the temple, before the main idols of Sivakami Amman and Swarnasabeswarar were placed in Sapparam. The Sapparam was painted in gold, while lights were lit around it. It carried the main idol of Sivakami Amman and Swarnasabeswarar and pulled by the devotees. Men carried the other idols Pillaiyar, Murugan accompanied by Valli Ammai and Theivayanai Amman on their shoulders.
Devotees gathered at the temple in the morning and evening to participate in the special poojas and procession with the idols. Sapparam was held on the eighth day of the annual festival at night, after the animal pilgrimage. Sivakami Amman accompanied by Swarnasabeswarar, Pillaiyar, Murugan accompanied by Valli Ammai and Theivayanai Amman, and Sandeswarar were taken on a colourful procession on inner and outer routes of the temple.
[Slide Show of Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar Sapparam]
“Navathaaniyam”- nine grains are grown during the festival in front of the Yakasaalai
Enchanting parade inside the temple
Side view of the sculptures of the Kopuram
Beautifully decorated Sivakami Amman Sametha Swarna Sabeswarar at Vasantha Mandapam, where special poojas are held during the festival
Devotees flocked to the temple
Daily worship in Hinduism usually takes place in three different places such as in the home, in a temple, and at a street side shrine
Pooja is performed by the chief priest Baklasunthara Kurukkal in front of the Yakasaalai
Pillaiyar is being carried by men
These temple torches are called “Theevatti”. They are being carried in front of the processin. “Theevatti” is made of cotton cloth dipped in coconut oil.
Murugan with Valli Ammai and Theivayanai Ammai are being carried by men
Sivakami Amman Sametha Swarnasabeswarar are in procession in a Sapparam
Full moon in Kochchikade
A female devotee is carrying a clay pot of burning camphor
Kannan Sharma offers Panchchararththi
Sapparam is being pulled by the devotees
Rajan Sharma accompanies the idols in the Sapparam
Sapparam takes place on the previous day of the chariot festival
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Email:dushi.pillai@gmail.com
The annual festival of Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar Devasthanam began with hoisting of the Nanthi flag on March 12th 2008 during the Tamil month of March (Panguni). The festival was held for ten days. Special poojas were held in the morning and afternoon during the festival. The temple was decorated with Kolam, thoranam and flower garlands.
Miruga Yaththirai or Vettai Thiruvizha (Animal Pilgrimage) was held on the 8th day of the festival- March 19th 2008 at dusk. Colourfully decorated brass idol was carried by a divine vehicle of horse, which was carried by men on their shoulders.
The place where the Vettai Thiruvizha has taken place on Kizhakku Veethi was decorated with white loincloth, fresh vegetables such as brinjals, long beans, ash plantains bitter gourd and snake gourd along with mango leaves and thoranam. Men taken the idol thrice around the place on their shoulders while a small pooja was performed at the venue by the chief priest of the temple. Thavil and Nathaswaram were played throughout the festival.
The chief priest of the temple Balasunthara Kurukkal slowly began to cut the coir, on which the fresh vegetables were hung. Devotees clasped hands, prayed and chanted “Arogara”. Later the vegetables were wrapped in the loincloth and placed on top of the divine vehicle horse and taken around the temple primises. The priest tied a piece of silk on the foot of the horse to mark the success of the Vettai Thiruvizha (Animal Pilgrimage). And Vermillion was placed on the forehead of the idol by the priest. At the end of the festival the devotees accompanied the idol back to the temple.
Front view of the Kopuram
Horse the divine vehicle for Vettai Thiruvizha (Animal Pilgrimage) waits outside the temple
Venue for the Vettai Thiruvizha
Idol is being brought out of the temple
Miruga Yaththirai or animal pilgrimage is held on the eighth day during the annual festival
Final touch is given before the procession begins
Beautifully decorated idol is kept in front of the temple
Miruga Yatthirai is a rare occasion to witness at the temples in Colombo
It is one of the most colourful festivals held at this temple
Panchararththi is offered before the procession
Devotees thronged the temple to witness the rare festival
Idol is taken on procession on the Vadakku veethi of the temple
Idol is being brought to the venue
Chief priest Balasunthara Kurukkal perfoms pooja at the site
Idol is carried by the divine vehicle horse, and the horse is carried by male devotees
Devotees arrive at the site
The idol is welcomed at the site
Hunting for the vegetables begins
Animal Pilgrimage is held to chase away the ill evils
Thavil and Nathaswaram added the enchanting rhythm to the festival
The idol is taken on parade around the venue
Devotees witnessing the festival
A piece of silk is being tied on the foot of the horse by the chief priest to mark the success of the festival
Flower petals are sprinkled and the idol is worshiped
The idol is being accompanied back to the temple by the devotees
Camphor is offered to the idol
Variety of Kolam designs were drawn throughout the temple this day
Heavy wooden horse was carried by men for several hours on their shoulders
Waiting for the final ritual
Rajan Sharma offers Panchchararththi straight to Moolasthaanam from outside the temple at the main entrance
The 11th Sri Rama Gnanamirtham Isai Velvi (Festival of Music) was organised by the Colombo Kamban Kazhagam, which was held from March 15th-22nd 2008, at Ramakrishna Mission hall. Thyagaraja Aradhana was performed by the participating musicians and artistes on March 12th 2008, before the mega Festival of Music began on March 15th 2008.
Local musicians decorated the Isai Arnagu at dusk, while the Indian musicians decorated the Isai Per Arangu in the nights. The hall was packed with the Carnatic music lovers.
Here is a pictorial of Day 2:
Director of Wellawatte Niththiaykalyani Jewellers lights the oil lamp, and inaugurates the events for the second day of the Festival of Music
Musician and lecturer Kalasuri Arunthahty Sriranganathan making her inaugural speech on the second day of the Festival of Music
Director of Wellawatte Niththiaykalyani Jewellers is being honoured by the President of Colombo Kamban Kazhagam T.Easwaran on the second day of the Festival of Music
Musician and lecturer Kalasuri Arunthahty Sriranganathan is being honoured by the President of Colombo Kamban Kazhagam T.Easwaran on the second day of the Festival of Music
P.Kumaresan is being honoured by S.A.Balendran, the Treasurer of Colombo Kamban Kazhagam
P.Kumaresan decorates the Isai Arangu on the second day of the Sri Rama Gnanamirtham Isai Velvi 2008 along with his accompanists S.Jalatharan (Violin), Y.Venilan (Miruthangam), and C.Gajananth (Morsing). P.Kumaresan is a son of famous Nathaswara artiste Panchamoorthy from Jaffna. The twin brothers Ganamoorthy and Panchamoorthy are very popular among the Nathaswara lovers. P.Kumaresan can also play Nathaswaram very well.
Miruthamgam artiste P. Sivaraman is being honoured by the President of Colombo Kamban kazhagam T.Easwram
Violin artiste H.N.Baskar is being honoured by the President of Colombo Kamban Kazhagam T.Easwaran
Ganjira artiste K.V.Gopalakrishnan is being honoured by the President of Colombo Kamban kazhagam T.Easwram
Vocalist O.S.Arun is being honoured by the President of Colombo Kamban Kazhagam T.Easwram
P.Kumaresan performs along with his accompanists
Indian vocalist O.S.Arun decorates the Isai Per Arangu on the second day of the Sri Rama Gnanamirtham Isai Velvi 2008
A section of music lovers
Indian vocalist O.S.Arun decorates the Isai Per Arangu on the second day of the Sri Rama Gnanamirtham Isai Velvi 2008 along with his accompanists
Another section of audience
O.S.Arun from India performs at the 11th Sri Rama Gnanamirtham Isai Velvi 2008
Isai Per Arangu on second day of the Sri Rama Gnanamirtham Isai Velvi 2008
Carnatic music lovers gathered to witness
Vocalist O.S.Arun and his accompanists enjoying their performance in Colombo
[Sri Rama Chandra ~ by O S Arun]
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Email:dushi.pillai@gmail.com
