By Akindu Kalhan
As the vibrant colors of spring awaken nature, the hearts of many Sri Lankans fill with joy and anticipation. This is the season of Awurudu, the Sinhala and Tamil New Year when communities come together to celebrate cherished customs and traditions. Awurudu is more than just a holiday; it is a symbol of cultural heritage, unity, and joy.
Welcome to Gavel Awurudu 2024!
Gavel Awurudu 2024 was a day-long celebration packed with traditional rituals, exciting games, and heartfelt camaraderie. Here’s a glimpse into the events and activities that made this day special.
The festivities began with the Kiri Ithiraweema, a traditional milk-boiling ceremony that symbolizes prosperity and abundance. This was followed by the grand opening of the Kavili Table, laden with an array of traditional sweets and delicacies. Lighting the oil lamp marked the official start of the celebrations, filling the air with a sense of reverence and excitement.
Awurudu games were a fun and important part of the day, bringing everyone together for friendly competition. Each game was special, mixing traditional practices with lots of laughter and joy.
First, there was Banis Kama, where participants raced to eat buns without using their hands and then ran to the finish line once they had swallowed the bun. It was a test of speed and skill. Next was Pitigode Polo Seweema, where players blew through flour to find hidden polo mints while keeping their hands behind their backs, which always led to lots of giggles and mess!
In the Water Balloon Passing game, teams of two passed water balloons back and forth, stepping further apart with each pass. The goal was to keep the balloon from bursting, adding a refreshing splash to the day.
Pani Bambare was next, where players spun around a pole ten times and then raced back to the starting line. This game was all about balance and speed, often leading to funny falls and lots of laughs. Finally, there was the Balloon Dance, where pairs danced while keeping a balloon in the air and staying within a shrinking dance floor. This game combined rhythm, teamwork, and fun, ending the games with a lot of excitement and smiles.
After the excitement of the games, the official educational meeting began with the RR (Round Robin) session. Here, each person got a chance to speak briefly on the RR topic in a structured yet informal setting.
Following the RR session, participants engaged in the Table Topics (TTs) session, where members took turns speaking spontaneously on various topics. This session highlighted their communication skills and creativity in an interactive format.
The day concluded with a special ceremony where the Awurudu Kumara (Prince) and Kumariya (Princess) were crowned. They were chosen based on who gave the best speeches during the Table Topics (TT) session. The Gavel Awurudu Kumara was awarded to the boy who gave the best speech, and the Gavel Awurudu Kumariya was awarded to the girl with the best speech. Last year’s Awurudu Kumara and Kumariya evaluated these speeches, making it a meaningful honor that recognized both speaking skills and the spirit of Awurudu. Awards were then presented to the winners of the games, celebrating their efforts and achievements.
As the sun set, the air filled with music, bringing everyone together for a final celebration. The musical evening was a time to unwind, enjoy, and cherish the memories made throughout the day.