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Spirituality, taste and labour: The story of Jaffna’s Nelli crush – By D.S. Joseph Source:Daily News The following narrative is a combination of three visits to the tranquil village of Achchuveli made between 2016 and 2019. The name of the village has its own historic tale. The family of the late linguist and scholar Rev. Fr. Gnanapragasar had influenced the art of printing in this village, and ‘Achchuveli’ is derived from the Tamil (and Sinhalese) word ‘atchu’ meaning ‘print’. A printing press had been here for decades. There is a statue of this priest in the garden of St. Joseph’s Church. However, my focus was directed to another priest, the late Rev. Fr. B.A. Thomas and his mission for the Catholic community. My quest to trace the legend of Fr. Thomas began with a glass of nelli crush, served by my friend Terry, a senior well versed in Northern culture. One ...