For me, April is synonymous with one thing-no, not fool's day, but 'Aluth Avurudda'(in English 'New year'). There's really nothing comparable to it -the customs, the symbolism, the food and that all-encompassing feeling of festivity (did I mention the food?). I'm looking forward to visiting friends, relatives, old teachers etc. this year, since I'm now away from home. It should be quite a pleasant experience, if they don't harp too much on the fact that I've become fat, dark and the sort. 

Fun and games are aplenty this time of the year. My favourite is the 'Kotta Pora' - isn't the whole concept of having a go at someone with a pillow in public and not having to justify it just brilliant? Of course, it's much more fun when your opponent has been on a 'liquid diet' and is trying to balance on the narrow pole. If you're the compassionate sort and don't feel like bashing him, just let him take a swing, miss and let gravity take its toll. You can even win prizes for things that in normal life you probably wouldn't be too proud of, for example the biggest belly and the baldest head. I see myself as the future champion very soon-in both events.

The auspicious time and other customs lend so much symbolism to the whole event. Every year, my father and I have the same conversation on how things have changed in significance, the scientific reasoning behind some of these customs etc., but its no less fascinating than last year's. Speaking of customs a particular new one seems to be gaining strength these days, and I've yet to figure out what its connection with the New Year is. Yes I'm talking about the Hindi films they've been showing on T.V. - and according to the trailers, we'll be seeing this year as well. 

A slight problem encountered during this season is the food. Sure, there are all the goodies, and since my many aunts have formed the happy habit of specialising in one sweetmeat or the other, I'm assured of quality as well as quantity. It's the regular meals that pose a problem. The 'help' is, of course, on holiday, and despite the fact that my mother is a fantastic cook, her dhal curry is not quite perfect. And since dhal is the most important dish as far as I'm concerned, it becomes the only blemish in the season.

But above all, Avurudu is a wake-up call of sorts for me, as I know it is for most people. The lives we lead are so busy and complicated that we hardly have the time to recognise and celebrate who we are - and to me that's exactly what the whole concept of Avurudu is about.