Avurudhu

Avurudhu is a few days ahead of us and all are hoping that it would be bright, happy and prosperous.  With all that is happening around us, including the protests and the hardships people are undergoing, whether a bright, happy and prosperous Avurudhu is a possibility is very doubtful. 

The country is going through turmoil and everything seems bleak. The rising prices of food are just another damper to all those who celebrate Avurudhu.  The non-availability of items as well as costs incurred in preparing all the traditional sweetmeats is a challenge and production will be low and maintaining quality and standards will be another task.

Trixie had just had enough of it, especially with the lengthy power cuts, when her chauffeur informed her that the auspicious colour this year was gold. Jothipala, her chauffeur, followed this bit of information with a request for a loan to redeem the gold necklace his wife Nanda had pawned.  Nanda, who also works for Trixie, had said that she would prefer to wear her gold necklace during the auspicious time instead of sporting an outfit made with gold sequined cloth from Pamunuwa.  With most of the auspicious times being in the morning wearing a cloth of gold will be flashy and, therefore, Trixie decided to give in rather than have her neighbours think that she was running a house of ill repute with the aide and her assistant running around in flashy gold sequinned outfits.  

On top of it one wonders whether the usual lavish Avurudhu table will be laid out with the traditional sweetmeats and the usual spread. People will have to manage the best way they can.

What would this Avurudhu bring us is the other question.  Hopefully, a better year with a settled country, loads of rain and a great windfall for all of us to get out of this current misery. It has not been a pleasant past two months and the heat does not sit well with most, making them agitated and miserable watching everything crumble around them. 

Wishing everybody a healthy and prosperous Avurudhu!