The Sinhalese and Tamil New Year, also known as Aluth Avurudu (Sinhala) and Puthandu (Tamil), is celebrated on April 13 or 14. It is also known as the Sun Festival, a festivities with rituals rooted in indigenous, astrological, Hindu, and Buddhist traditions.

During the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Sri Lankan Muslims observe the sacred month. Muslims believe that during Ramadan, God revealed the first verses of the Quran, the holy text, to Prophet Mohammed in "The Night of Power" (Laylat-al-Qadr), which fell on one of the nights during the last ten days of Ramadan.

When I started to collect jewellery for Parampara, I discovered that many of the pieces are considered ‘Kandyan jewellery.’ In the past, Kandyan jewellery had been handmade for the royal family. Worn by women and men of royal or noble birth, the jewellery symbolizes wealth, prosperity and grandeur. The agasti necklace, one of the necklaces worn by a bride, is a good representation of Kandyan jewellery with its intricate filigree work and south Indian inspired style that is still distinctively “Kandyan.” I want to understand what it means to be Kandyan.

Hi, my name is Kayo, and I am the founder of Parampara. I am a writer, a librarian, and a bona fide jewellery addict. Parampara is my passion project that combines my loves: Travelling, jewellery, and storytelling.