Sounds of Udappu festival

Hear the enchanting toll of the bell, vedic chants, drums, thavil, the wind and fire pit at Udappu ~ Aug 4-5, 2009:[Click for more] Drums Aug 4 ~ [Click for more]

Gala of the Udappu guarding deities

"Whatever I am offered in devotion with a pure heart-a leaf, a flower, fruit or water- I accept with joy" ~Bhagavath Gita

As the Sun began to spread its rays towards Udappu, people of this small hamlet began to bustle, devotees thronged the temple. The roosters were still crowing while mild breeze blows, trees dance for the mild breeze. It was 4th of August 2009-Tuesday, a day before the fire walking. Certain rituals take place on this day. [See & Read more]

Perusing peacebuilding: From conflict to recovery

“When you wish someone joy, you wish them peace, love, prosperity, happiness…..all the good things” ~Maya Angelou-Poet, dancer, film producer, television producer, playwright, film director, author, actress and autobiographer. (b: April 4th 1928-)

Peacebuilding and Development Institute in Sri Lanka (PDISL) successfully conducted its second year training session on Integrating Conflict, Gender and Development and another parallel course Frameworks and Skills in Peace building. The core courses were held at Blue Oceanic Hotel in Negombo from 24th of August 2009- 28th of August 2009. Both courses comprised participants from Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Nepal and United States of America. [Click here to read & see more]

Training in ethics for working journalists

As per Joseph Joubert-French Moralist and Essayist’s quote “To teach is to learn twice”, it was another new and energising experience for me to train [click to Read in full]

Tradition bound Udappu, the charm of a Tamil village

“Udappu” is situated between the Dutch Canal in the East, Indian Ocean in the West, Poonaipitty village in the North and Pinkatti village in the South. According to some reports, that there was a flood in this area earlier, and it was called “Udaippu” afterwards. Another report says that people were looking for pure water and sea side, while searching for such place they found “Udaippankarai”. Later, the name derived from “Udaippu” to “Udaippankarai” to “Udappu”, which is currently being called. [Click to See and read more]

Behind the scene: Getting ready for the colourful Udappu parade

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” ~ Pablo Picasso (1881-1973)Spanish Painter, Draughtsman and Sculptor

It was a Sunny Sunday, August 2nd 2009, in Udappu.

As time ticked on turning into a scroching hot day, performers and the make-up artists began to make their way to Sri Veerapaththirakaali Amman temple, situated right near the ocean.

Eleven Performing artists and four make-up artists gathered under one roof, to get ready for the elegant parade. [See & read more]

Scene of five Paandava Princes and their common wife Thiraupathai going into exile...

The scene of five Paandava Princes and their common wife Thiraupathai were going into exile with Vyasa Munivar and an Anuman was depicted in drama form by the people of Udappu on 2nd of August 2009, the 15th day of the “Aadi Vizha Mahotsavam” of Rukmani Sathyapama Sametha Sri Paarthasaarathy Thiraupathathevi Devasthanam. [See & read more]

Annual fire walking of Rukmani Sathyapama Sametha Sri Paarthasaarathy Thiraupathathevi Devasthanam, Udappu

“Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death can erase our good deeds” ~Buddha Quotes (Hindu Prince Gauthama Siddhartha, The Founder of Buddhism, 563-483B.C)

Much awaited annual fire walking of Rukmani Sathyapama Sametha Sri Paarthasaarathy Thiraupathathevi Devasthanam’s was held on 5th of August 2009 at night. It was a windy day in Udappu throughout the day.

“Goddess Thiraupathai Amman is here to bless us” said some villagers referring to the unusual wind. The fire walking fell on a full moon day, which is a rare occasion according to the villagers of Udappu. [click here to read & see more]

Kannagipura/ Kannagipuram Radio Drama inaugural

Kannagipura/ Kannagipuram Radio Drama was launched on July 28th 2009 at Young Asia Television. The drama is produced by Young Asia Television. It is the first time such a drama series are produced in both languages- Sinhala and Tamil. Eight script writers were chosen from Akkaraipattu, Akurassa, Batticaloa, Galle, Kandy and Kurunegala.[See & Read more]

Annual chariot festival of the Sri Mayurapathy Paththirakaali temple

The “Aadi Poora Mahotsavam” of the Sri Mayurapathy Paththirakaali temple is currently being held for the 22nd time. The annual chariot festival of the Sri Mayurapathy Paththirakaali temple was held on July 26th 2009.

The streets of Bambalapitty and Wellwatte looked colourful and cheerful today, as the five chariots moved slowly on a cloudy and humid day. Thousands of devotees dressed elegantly and thronged the Sri Mayurapathy Paththirakaali Amma temple at dawn. [See and Read More]