Video: A tradition kept alive by transient fishermen of Udappu in Nilaveli
by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai
I looked up from clicking the images of sunrise recently at the Nilaveli shore in Trincomalee district hearing, “You were in Udappu recently, right?”
It was Nallamuththu Thayananthan from Udappu. I was surprised to see him on the Eastern littoral! He then explained why he is in Nilaveli; and introduced his friends from Udappu who were with him as well to me.
Sunrise at Nilaveli
A bunch of young and older fisherfolk from Udappu was seen on the seashore of Nilaveli as the sun spreaded its harsh and strong rays on a bright early morning.
They travel from Udappu from the North West province to the East, stay over and go to the sea in Nilaveli for fishing. They say that it has been an old tradition for them to go to Mullaithivu and Nilaveli for fishing.
And they still keep coming to the Eastern part of Sri Lanka for fishing from Puttlam district on the other side of the country, and these fishermen want to continue to uphold the practice of their forefathers.
They come here every two weeks for fishing, and return to Udappu after a couple of weeks. They stay longer if the catch is regular and bountiful.
These fishermen work hard in scorching sun that illuminates the pristine shoreline along Nilaveli, singing songs related to Udappu and fishing while arranging the fishing net and pulling the boats to the sea.
Sunrise at Nilaveli
Fishermen flocked to the sea during the early hours of the morning
Sunrise illuminated the mighty ocean
Coconut trees in the nearby groves nodded in the fresh salty breeze
“I have been fishing in Nilaveli for 12 years” says Vairaiah Ramanathan (38) from Udappu
About 100 fishermen from Udappu work together
A group of fishermen in Nilaveli who are from Udappu
“Fishermen from Nilaveli come and work with us. We understand each other, therefore we do not have any problem” says Nalamuththu Thayananthan (30)
Long hours are spent in the sea
“I am from Udappu, but I come to Nilaveli for fishing. I have been fishing in Nilaveli for 40 years” says Vairaiah Vairamuththu (62)
Set to sail the Indian Ocean under the glaring sun
They stay at sea during daylight and return to the shore at dusk
Kaneshan Kamal (22) from Udappu is learning various skills in the fishing industry from his colleagues
The shore bustled with vibrant energy of the fishermen all morning
Their catamarans doted colour to the sandy beach
Painting on a wall of a hotel in Nilaveli
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