humanityashore.com

by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

“You are invited to the festival of this world and your life is blessed” ~Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941), Indian Poet, Playwright and Essayist, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913.

Deepavali- Festival of Lights was celebrated around the world on October 17th 2009 with great pomp and enthusiasm. People were dressed in new clothes, thronged the temples and visited relatives and friends. Special poojas were performed at the temples.

Hindu Priest Performs Pooja At Naattukkottai Nagaraththaar New Kathiresan Temple in Bamabalapitty on Deepavali Day

According to the Legends that, Lord Vishnu defeated the demon King Narakasuran, and killed him on this day. Significiane of the festival is celebration of the victory of good over evil; the uplifting of spiritual darkness. The most significant spiritual meaning is “the awareness of the inner light”.

Annually this day is celebrated in late October or early November on the new moon. The day is celebrated with sweets and savouries, fire crackers, greetings and lights.

Just married couples celebrated “Thalai Theepavali” (first Deepavali celebrated together after marriage) with special gifts from their relatives.

Deepavali symbolises the victory of righteousness, the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and the renewal of life.

It is a day of celebration and joy.

Ganapathi Kanangal by Dr. Seerkaazhi S. Govintharajan is being played at a Hindu House in Bambalapitty on Deepavali Day:

I ~ mangkala vaazhvalikkum kanapathiye, unthan malaradi paninthean

II ~ “Oru mannikku oru manniyena, ethir ethir oliththida

Faith and devotion are needed to lead a holistic life

Pavement is packed with religious items used for offerings

Devotees shop at stalls set up on the pavement by vendors during Deepavali day

Rows of lights

The temples were packed with devotees

Naattukkottai Nagaraththaar New Kathiresan Temple in Bamabalapitty on Deepavali Day

New clothes fr the idols of New Kathiresan Hall in Bambalapitty

Astrologers say that Deepavali falls in the Tamil month of Purattaathi after 65 years, and Deepavali and final Purattaathi Sani fall on the same day after 35 years

Goodies seller for the festival

Coconut is considered auspicious, and brings good fortune

The Vedas are knowledge, and the knowledge is eternal

According to Bhagavad Gita, “The true supreme spirit resides within the body and the mind always. However it is so subtle that in cannot be perceived by the senses. It is close at hand and yet far away”

Bustling Bambalapitty

Flowers bring eternal joy

The sparkle of Deepavali lift spirits

The temples were kept open for longer hours

A view of Sammankodu Sri Kathirvelaiyutha Swamy temple in Bambalapitty

Fire crackers corner

Variety of sweets are served and shared

Nanthi flags flutter around Lorensz Road
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HumanityAshore.org ~ Email: dushi.pillai@gmail.com

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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HumanityAshore.org ~ Email: dushi.pillai@gmail.com

by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

“Violence begins at home. If we are talking about peace, reconciliation and understanding the other culture –these need to begin at home” says Jagath Weerasinghe.

Celestial Fervour Art of Jagath Weerasighe is currently being held at the Theertha Red Dot Gallery in Pitakotte. The exhibition began on September 8th 2009, and will end on October 5th 2009. Red Dot Gallery is contemporary-artist- run gallery, and first of its kind in Sri Lanka.

Perfect colours are used to depict different situations. Various knives used at households are used in his art work to explain how these same knives can be dangerous and destructive.

Jagath Weerasighe’s life and art are intertwined.

“I am born to a dominant Marxist and a home-making mother. I grew up in a middle class urban family environment.

My sister’s name is Gowry, and my cousin’s name in Durga.

My father always felt the need to know and understand the other culture. His strong thoughts got fixed in my mind as a child. And, ever since I began to see things differently like my father.

The 30 units of Aluminum knives take a left turn and keep travelling on that direction, because they reflect my left wing thinking” says Jagath Weerasinghe.

Jagath Weerasinghe is a contemporary artist and archaeologist and a Professor at the Post-Graduate Institute of Archeology of the University of Kelaniya.

Celestial Fervour:Soldiers in Cloud.2009.Acrylic on paper, each 31*28cm

Celestial Fervour:Soldiers in Cloud. Triptych.2009.Light Box, plastic sheet, wax, glass, plastic toy soldiers, light bulbs, 85*65*10cm

Celestial Fervour:Soldiers in Cloud. Triptych.2009.Light Box, plastic sheet, wax, glass, plastic toy soldiers, light bulbs, 85*65*10cm

Celestial Fervour”Weapons of Mass Destruction.2009.Aluminum, iron rods, and enamel paint. Varying Dimensions.30 Units.Each 41*129*13cm

Celestial Fervour”Weapons of Mass Destruction.2009.Aluminum, iron rods, and enamel paint. Varying Dimensions.30 Units.Each 41*129*13cm

Prof. Jagath Weerasinghe

Celestial Fervour: Big Kitchen Knife.2009.Metal and wax.132cm

Celestial Fervour: Kitchen Knives. 2009. Acrylic on paper. 18 units Each unit 32*51cm.

Jagath Weerasinghe likes to experiment his work on different media

Celestial Fervour: Soaring Balustrade.2009. Clear resin, LED bulbs and plastic sheet.158*99*33cm

Celestial Fervour: Knives and Ligers. 2009. Plastic, corrugated boards, light box, tissue mat and LED lights. 133*123*10cm

Celestial Fervour: Man with Kitchen Knife. 2009. Light box, corrugated plastic boards and LED bulbs. 133*123*10cm

Celestial Fervour: Soaring Barrel.2009. Clear resin, LED bulbs and plastic sheet.75*61*35cm.
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HumanityAshore.org ~ Email: dushi.pillai@gmail.com

by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

“Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life – think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success, that is way great spiritual giants are produced.”

~Swami Vivekananda, (Indian Spiritual leader of the Hindu religion (Vedanta). Disciple of the famous 19th century mystic-saint Sri Ramakrishna of Calcutta. Founder of the Ramakrishna Order of Monks. 1863-1902)

At the end of Navarathri festival, Maanam Poo or Vazhai Vettu (destruction of Aanavam and killing of the Mahisasuran) is celebrated today-September 28th 2009.

Bell, Thavil, Nathaswaram @ New Kathiresan Temple on Maanam Poo Day

Temples are decorated and devotees thronged the temple in the twilight. Goddess is taken on an elaborate procession to destroy “Aanavam” (ego and ignorance). Mahisasuran, a demon. He who was causing untold hardships to the Thevars.

According the mythology the Goddess fasted for ten days, and at the end of the tenth day she destroyed the demon king. It marks the ending the rule of evil force. The Mother Goddess is called Mahisasura Marthini after defeating the demon king. Cutting of the Banana tree denotes the end of evil-Mahisasuran.

The objective of celebrating the Navarathiri festival is to remind us of the need to destroy all negativity within us, and thus achieve bliss.

The chief priest of Naattukottai Nagaraththaar (New Kathiresan) temple Nagarajah Kurrukkal of Naattukottai Nagaraththaar New Kathiresan temple in Bambalapitty is dressed in white Dhoti with red and gold border and red shawl wrapped around his waist walked along with the Goddess.

He led the procession while carrying a metal saw with a lime stuck on its top. He started to chop the leaves of the Banana tree one by one, while the beautifully dressed up Goddess was taken around the four corners by men, and surrounded by the devotees.

The Sun began to set, and the cloudy sky changed its colour to orange. Once the culmination ended rain poured and blessed us all.

Bells at New Kathiresan Temple and nearby Sammankodu temple toll on Sep 28, 2009, Maanam Poo day

Celebrating the end of evil spirit

The temple is decorated for the festival

There have been many incarnations of Gods since the beginning of mankind

Beautifully decorated Goddess is brought out for the culmination

The Goddess who dispels all kinds of doubts and imparts correct perception

Hindus have a vast ancient religious literature

The horse carries the Goddess and the men carry the horse

Fasting is observed till the end of the festival for ten days

Navarathri is celebrated with great gaiety and religious fervour

When one is devoted and observes discipline the resolution becomes effective

Retreat to Goddess I

“If you know how to love, you are a Hindu. All great people have become great because of their love for others. They gained greatness because they learnt to love” said Swami Chinmayananda

The deity parades through four corners

Celebrating the end of evil spirit

“Let noble thoughts come to us from all directions” says Rig Veda

Sunset view form the temple

The God is worshipped in multiple perspectives

The whole universe principally depends on five divine forces-fire,earth,air,sky and water

Kindness is the foundation of all religions

It is believed that Hinduism does not invent Gods, but it discovers

All Hindus believe that God is omnipresent

Retreat to Goddess II
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HumanityAshore.org ~ Email: dushi.pillai@gmail.com