Memories of Childhood Christmases–in Sri Lanka in the 1950’s–By Dr. Remy Perumal

‘Winds of Political Change’ have swept across our Country. The traditional family is coming to accept the seismic Political change. Although the headlines are dominated by gloomy economic forecasts, hopefully things can only get better. Therefore, it’s time to be positive and cheer up for, it will soon be, Christmas again.

The high cost of living will undoubtedly effect the celebrations. Hence, the trimmings at Christmas, the fanfare and festivities will inevitably be subdued. Now, more than ever, we should embrace the comforting traditions of our Community, and reminisce on those structured certainties of our childhood Christmases.

I intend, walking you down memory lane, to the early and mid 1950’s when, Sri Lanka was a united, harmonious Nation. They were Christmases before Politicians, inflamed Nationalist fervour, for political gain and drove a ’wedge’ between communities. Let this political change be a turning point fostering a new era of unity and communal harmony of the 1950’s.

Ours was an average income Colombo Chetty, Catholic family of five. We lived within walking distance, of St. Lucia’s Cathedral and St. Benedict’s College. Our Christmases, certainly were not geared for ‘Tinsel and Turkey’ and the manic spending , on borrowed money. Christmas festivities were celebrated within our means. Family traditions and religious convictions moulded our views, our expectations and our approach to the celebrations.

Preparations for Christmas had many facets. Decorations commenced with the annual facelift to the family home. House had the walls colour washed, doors, gates and windows painted, furniture varnished and floors polished. Apart from the colour washing, the aforementioned tasks were done by family members. Polishing of floors continued well into the evening of Christmas eve.

Family Christmas shopping was done on a week day, in early December. Dad took the afternoon off work and the rest of the family joined him in the main shopping District of Pettah. Starting with clothing materials for mum and shirts and trousers for the boys first and then, to the shoe shops and the toys. Then followed the purchase of the ingredients, for the Christmas Cake . A shop named Umbitchi’s was preferred for items like currents, raisins, ginger preserve, chow chow etc. After an exhausting afternoon, we were relieved to return home by rickshaw, with all the ‘goodies’. Taxis were not the preferred mode of transport, then.

The Colombo Chetty Carols singing was a highlight of the Christmas Season. We were in the ‘boys section’ of the community choir, for the carols.

Weekly Choir rehearsals for carols usually started in September, then, more frequently in December, leading to a grand practice on the Sunday before Christmas. At this final rehearsal, the four parts had instrumental accompaniment in addition to the organ.

The Christmas cake was made in early December. The ingredients were mixed a few days before making of the cake itself. Home baking was not the norm -once made, the cake was transported by rickshaw, with the utmost care, to the trusted local bakery and handed over to the baker, with special instructions, from mum. I do clearly remember delivering the cake tray and contents to the bakery at mid-day and collecting the baked cake later, the same evening.

Then followed the making of the Satti Dhosi, which is a Colombo Chetty speciality. The ingredients, namely sugar, semolina, ghee, cadjunuts and flour were mixed in a large brass wok specially reserved for this purpose. It was cooked on a open fire, starting with the sugar and water, then adding the above ingredients in a specific order, one by one, stirring continuously, using a long handled metal ladle. After two to three hours, on achieving the correct consistency, the ‘piping hot’ final product was transferred into porcelain plates, carefully levelled and left to cool. That was the ‘Satti Dhosi’ done.

On Christmas Eve, our kitchen was a hive of activity – Mum would be hands on, preparing Christmas lunch. Turkey and trimmings were not in our menu. Our traditional Christmas lunch was Yellow Rice, chicken curry, beef satay, seeni sambol, pickle (red onions, Malu miriss, thin strips of carrot, dates et.) aubergines deep fried and cooked and cutlets were all in the menu.

Attending Midnight Mass was, for us, the most important Christmas obligation. By 10pm on Christmas eve our family was ready to attend Midnight Service, all dressed, in our new Christmas attire. Mum attended Mass at St. Lucia’s Cathedral which was about a half a mile from our home, by Rickshaw. This midnight mass at the Cathedral was celebrated by the Cardinal, the Bishop of Colombo. Dad, my brothers and I walked to Mater Dolorosa Church, which was about two miles, from home. This was the church designated to the Colombo Chetty Community, at that time.

Midnight Mass at Mater Dolorosa Church, had a packed congregation, every year. At this service, when the Celebrant sang ‘Gloria In Excelsis Deo’, as the church bells rang out, the ambience outside the church would turn ‘electric’.

In the streets, there was the deafening sound of crackers and fireworks. From Colombo Harbour nearby, would come, a prolonged blasts of ships sirens.

Midnight Mass was followed by carols at the church led by the choir. Then the choristers and instrumentalists would embark on their ‘carolling tour’ in the special articulated truck, with open sides, hired for the purpose. Two senior members of the Colombo Chetty Community would direct the driver of the ‘Carol Bus’ to each of the designated addresses, occupied by a Colombo Chetty family unit. At each house, the two seniors knocked on doors and wished the occupants whilst the choir sang at least two carols from the repertoire. We had 60 houses around the suburbs of Colombo to cover.

This joyful exercise of house to house carol singing concluded about 6.00am on Christmas Day, finishing at the choir master’s house. There, we collected the Choristers’ Christmas gifts and walked home for a well earned sleep.

When we woke up about mid day we received our Christmas presents at home, after which we enjoyed the family Christmas lunch.

It was customary to visit our surviving grandparents on Christmas Day, which we did late afternoon. The traditional way we greeted the elders was to join our hands and say ‘Jesus Christ’ and the response of the elder would ‘forever’. These greetings were in Tamil. We returned home in the evening, to receive visiting relatives. After the visitors left, we were free to light our own fireworks at home.

In the 1950’s Christmas holidays were from 24th December to 6th January. Therefore, Christmas visiting and festivities continued right through the Christmas week. The New Year’s Eve celebrations started with a well attended evening Benediction service at the Cathedral, followed later, by midnight mass. At midnight, the New Year too was heralded by loud bang of crackers and fireworks accompanied by the incessant sound of ships sirens, reverberating in the midnight air.

These are cherished memories, of my childhood Christmases. They are unforgettable memories, not for the echoing, wax scented churches with the carolling congregations, but, because, they were true Christmases, without the commercial hype and purchasing mania, focussed on food, gift giving and festivities. They were celebrations focussed on the true religious significance of Christmas.