A Childhood Avurudu-by Kalani-eLanka
There is something magical about Avurudu, especially when seen through the eyes of a child. It is more than just a New Year celebration.it is a season of joy, togetherness, tradition, and sweet memories that last a lifetime. “A Childhood Avurudu” is a journey back to those carefree days, when time seemed to slow down and the world was painted in the bright colors of festivity.
As the month of April approached, excitement would build in the air. The days grew warmer, the trees bloomed with flowers, and the scent of delicious Avurudu sweets began to fill the home. In the village, preparations started early. Mothers and grandmothers would gather in the kitchen, laughing and chatting as they made kokis, kavum, mung kevum, and aluwa. As a child, sneaking a taste of these treats before the auspicious time was a mission of mischief and delight.
The best part of Avurudu was the sense of community. Everyone in the neighborhood was like extended family. Children ran around playing games like kana mutti, porapol gaseema, and kotta pora, their laughter echoing through the air. The New Year rituals, such as lighting the hearth, taking herbal baths, and offering milk rice to the Sun God, were done with reverence—but also with a sense of wonder.
Receiving gifts from elders was another highlight. New clothes, crisp banknotes, and blessings were shared generously. The smell of fresh paint on the walls, the sight of freshly cleaned houses, and the sound of the rabana being played by the aunties—every detail became etched in memory.
Perhaps what made Avurudu so special in childhood was the simplicity. There were no phones or screens to distract us—just the warmth of family, the richness of culture, and the pure joy of being together.
Today, as we grow older and life becomes busier, those childhood Avurudu memories remind us of what truly matters: love, laughter, and the importance of keeping our traditions alive.
