A Dawn of Tradition: Treston Institute’s First-Ever New Year Festival Shines Bright!
In the golden glow of April sunshine, something truly special happened at Treston Institute. For the very first time, the campus grounds transformed into a vibrant celebration of culture, tradition, laughter, and learning — our very own Sinhala & Tamil New Year Festival, proudly organized by our amazing Treston staff.
It wasn’t just a festival.
It was a milestone, a joyful reminder of who we are and how far we’ve come together.
A Day That Began With Smiles
From the crack of dawn, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. Students arrived in colorful traditional attire — girls in Lungi and boys in sarong and shirt, all ready to leave behind the classroom walls and step into a day full of games, food, and cultural pride.
A beautiful New Year table stood at the center, glowing with kiribath, bananas, kavum, and kokis, prepared with love and care by our staff and volunteers. We began with blessings, laughter, and the sound of the rabana echoing across the grounds.
A Symphony of Tradition and Togetherness
The festival grounds buzzed with an infectious energy. We kicked off the day with the traditional lighting of the oil lamp, a symbolic gesture of prosperity and good fortune, followed by the sharing of auspicious kiribath (milk rice) and an array of delectable Kavum and Kokis. It was a beautiful moment of shared tradition, uniting everyone in the true spirit of the season.
My brother, Kasthuri Arachchi Jr. with his characteristic blend of wit and charisma, took on the role of an engaging commentator and game master. His booming voice and infectious enthusiasm added an extra layer of excitement to every event, encouraging participation and ensuring everyone felt included. It was truly a joy to work alongside him, bringing our shared vision to fruition.
Traditional Games, Modern Joy
The heart of the festival, however, lay in the Avurudu games! It was exhilarating to see both students and staff shedding their inhibitions and embracing the spirit of friendly rivalry.
We brought the old-world Avurudu spirit alive with a mix of traditional Sri Lankan games that had everyone — from students to staff — playing, cheering, and laughing like never before. Our Avurudu Festival turned into a full-on game zone where tradition met laughter. Students, teachers, and even shy spectators couldn’t resist joining the fun. Here are the highlights from our unforgettable games corner:
- Aliyata Asa Thabeema (A classic favorite! Blindfolded participants tried to place an eye on a drawing of an elephant)
- Toffee Ahideema
- Balloon Pipireema
- Kana Mutti Bindeema (Blindfolded, spinning, and armed with a stick — this game brought both suspense and surprise)
- musical chairs (The music kept us moving and guessing and when it stopped, so did the game)
- Andayata Kiri Kaweema (Feeding Yogurt Blindfolded, A hilarious test of trust! One person was blindfolded and had to feed yogurt to their partner using only verbal instructions. Yogurt on noses, cheeks, and even ears but loads of fun and unforgettable teamwork.)
Biththara Alleema (Egg Catching) An ultimate test of reflexes and courage! Partners stood at increasing distances and tossed a raw egg back and forth.
- Avurudu Kumariya & Kumaraya (Elegance, tradition, and style were on full display as students competed for the titles of Avurudu Kumariya and Kumaraya, dressed in their finest cultural attire)
More Than Just Games: Building Bonds
Beyond the fun and games, this festival was a powerful testament to the strength of the Treston family. It provided a unique platform for students and staff to interact outside the formal classroom setting, forging new friendships and strengthening existing bonds. Watching our diverse student body embrace these cultural traditions, many for the first time, was incredibly rewarding. It highlighted the beauty of unity in diversity, a core value we cherish at Treston.
Organizing an event of this scale for the very first time was a monumental task, filled with late-night planning sessions, countless checklists, and the occasional (but necessary!) creative disagreement. But every challenge was met with determination, fueled by the incredible support of the entire Treston staff and the eager anticipation of our students.
As the sun set, leaving behind the sweet scent of celebration, we looked around at the happy faces and knew that our first New Year Festival was an undeniable success. It wasn’t just a day of festivities; it was a foundational moment, creating a new, vibrant tradition for Treston Institute.
A massive thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, supported, and cheered us on. This was just the beginning, and we can’t wait to see how our Treston Institute New Year Festival grows in the years to come!
