Pahan Tharu Rayak – Christmas Fiesta 2021 – by Clifford Lazarus
When it comes to Christmas, you know the spirit of the festival is in the air. Truth be told, how could you not? Sri Lanka’s Friendship Society (SLFS) in Hamilton, New Zealand, successfully hosted Pahan Tharu Rayak – Christmas Fiesta 2021 on December 18th 2021.
At the heart of the Christian celebration are the stories surrounding the birth of Jesus. Most children are familiar with the elements of this story, like the appearance of angels, the experiences of Jesus’s parents, Mary and Joseph, and the wise men who followed the star to find Jesus on the night he was born. To exist in a multi-ethnic society, where different religions and ethnic groups inhabit and share their lives, it was heartwarming to witness other cultures and faiths join in celebrating this joyous occasion.
For the many non-Christian children who attended and participated, they will have learnt about the nativity and the meaning of Christmas and in time to come they will understand what Vesak, Diwali, Eid and Easter mean – this is just part of learning about other faiths.
Being in the Christmas season, Christmas carols are something very common in this period. “Jesuni Oba Issara Wela” sung by Nadi Dharmasiri, Suranga Peiris, Neranjana Maldeniya, Judy Fernando and Dinali Ranmadugala opened the programme followed by “Mistletoe and Wine” performed by Portia Fernando and Dinu Perera. Imali Ilanco co-ordinated the Children’s Carols .
Adults’ carols arranged by Judy Fernando was combined with the Nativity, written and directed by Susith Fernando. The cast enacted their own version reminiscing biblical times with the aid of authentic stage decor by Jagath Pillippuhewa and sounds by Ushan Madhuranga. Mary was portrayed by Nadi Dharmasiri while Rohitha Karunaratne performed the role of Joseph. The three kings, shepherds, and innkeeper performed professionally in traditional costumes showing Jesus incarnate among people, beyond cultural differences.
“The Dancing Christmas Trees” choreographed by Ashika Perera was performed by Hiru Perera, Nulaya Maldeniya, Yahansa Sathsarani, Shanuli Yehansa and Shasha Wakista.
Cellist Nuwan Vithanage gave a virtuoso performance with “Hallelujah” accompanied by pianist Ushan Madhuranga and deservedly received a rousing round of applause. Singers Udula Bandara and Hashira Cooray regaled the audience with a jazzy Broadway-style rendition of “Let It Snow”, fittingly earning a standing ovation!
“It was a great celebration but what made it special was how all the Sri Lankan community gathered to make the event a great success” was how Chief Guest Fr Darren McFarlane of the Hamilton Diocese summed the evening’s proceedings. Venerable Meththeya, chief monk of Hamilton Buddhist Temple praised the camaraderie of the Sri Lankan community for the evening’s success.
SLFS Hamilton has been organising the annual Christmas event for well over 20 years. The Christmas programme (Pahan Tharu Rayak) – Christmas Fiesta 2021 was held to show unity in the birth of Jesus, because living in a multi-ethnic society, in which different religions and ethnic groups live together, the collective effort symbolised Sri Lanka’s unity in diversity, showing the richness of the pearl-shaped island.
“We invited all cultures and religions to rethink and remove the distance between ethnic groups and welcome each other as sisters and brothers because Jesus was born for everyone, not just for Christians. It is about unity, not division” remarked Susith Fernando, chief co-ordinator for the event. Also, he thanked President, Vice-president, and the Secretary of the Sri Lanka Friendship Society: Devinda Mahavithana, Ruwan Fernando and Harindu Lorensu respectively, and all the other committee members who helped to make this event a success.
