Root and Rhythms
In a world rich with diverse traditions, fostering cultural harmony is essential. To celebrate this, Leo Club of the University of Colombo organized the second phase of its initiative, "Roots and Rhythms," on January 18, 2025. Held at the Home of Hope Child Home in Digana, Kandy, this cultural festival aimed to encourage unity and togetherness among children from various backgrounds. The event featured vibrant performances, including traditional dances and songs representing multiple cultures, creating a lively platform for children to embrace and celebrate diversity. Through this initiative, Leo Club sought to instill a sense of appreciation for cultural heritage while fostering bonds of friendship and understanding among the participants.
The second phase of "Roots and Rhythms" began with the dedication of Leo Club of the University of Colombo members, who arrived at the Home of Hope Child Home in Digana, Kandy, a day earlier on January 17, 2025. They spent the evening decorating the venue and preparing for the event, ensuring a warm and festive atmosphere. They drew vibrant kolams, decorated Christmas trees, and included other cultural decorations to represent diverse traditions and celebrations. On January 18, the program commenced with a traditional oil lamp lighting ceremony, followed by a welcome speech by the head of the Home of Hope.Childrens were welcomed by doing Aarathi according to Tamil culture. The opening session continued with an inspiring address by the Project Chairperson, Leo Nethmini Rathnayake, setting the stage for a memorable celebration. The first session featured lively fun games that brought smiles and laughter to the children, creating a joyful start to the day. After the games, a lunch break allowed everyone to relax, bond, and enjoy a shared meal together.
The second session began with a soulful Tamil solo song, paving the way for a series of captivating performances that celebrated Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage. The event included a traditional Sinhala dance, a graceful Bharatanatyam performance, cultural songs, and dramas showcasing various traditions. Adding a unique touch, the children from the Home of Hope presented their own drama and musical performances, which were met with great enthusiasm and applause. The program concluded with the distribution of certificates to participants and tokens of appreciation to contributors, followed by a heartfelt vote of thanks from the Project Secretary, Leo Saduni Tharushika, to express deep gratitude to the committee members and resource personnel for their focused efforts. Just when the children thought the day had ended, they were surprised by the arrival of Santa Claus, who handed out gifts to every child, spreading joy and laughter. The event was a beautiful celebration of cultural harmony and unity, leaving a lasting impact on everyone involved.
The success of "Roots and Rhythms" was made possible through the collaboration of various stakeholders, including the management and staff of the Home of Hope, the talented performers, and the dedicated members of the project committee, all of whom ensured the event ran seamlessly. Witnessing the joy and enthusiasm on the children’s faces filled Leo Club members with a profound sense of fulfillment. The children’s heartfelt performances and genuine smiles served as a reminder of the impact of cultural unity and celebration. Energized by this success, the team is now eagerly planning the last phase of "Prarthana 7.0" which will focus on reconstructing a cultural space for the community, providing a lasting platform to celebrate diversity and foster togetherness.
- By Leo Chami Rathnayake -
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