The splendour of the Kandy Esala Perahera captured on film – both still and moving images - is being used to help the country’s deaf and blind. Traditionally, the perahera, paying homage to the Buddha’s tooth relic also invokes the blessings of the gods for "rain in due season’’ so that the farmers may reap the bounty of the land.

This year the event was spectacularly captured on film by Broadway Media (Pvt) Ltd and Canon Singapore who are giving the proceeds from the sale of the DVDs and photographs to the Ceylon School for the Deaf & Blind - a worthy cause.

 The project came alive after a meeting at the Colombo Hilton between Dilum Alagiyawanna, Managing Director of Broadway Media and Jerome Auvity, General Manager of the Hilton. Four months on the public can see the fruit of this venture in the Hilton lobby where the famous Giant Pyramid is currently filled with glimpses of this year’s Kandy Esala Perahera.

 This cultural highlight attracts not only devout Buddhists from across Sri Lanka, but people of all religions and nationalities from around the world who come to enjoy this colourful event. Traditionally the procession consists of whip-crackers, fireball acrobats, flag bearers, Kandyan and various other dancers and numerous lavishly caparisoned elephants. All aspects of the Perahera are captured in the photographs by Jino Lee from Singapore and Roshan Chandana Udayasiri now on display at the Hilton.

 At a recent press briefing marking the opening of the exhibition, the Diyawadane Nilame noted that the Kandy Esala Perahera is one of the world’s most colourful spectacles attracting a global audience. The exhibition is not merely aesthetically pleasing but is also a guide and opportunity for visitors to Sri Lanka to learn about the culture and festivals of the country.

If it were not for the support and collaboration of the Maligawa, the exhibition and DVD would never have been possible. Like the sponsors of the event, the Temple is aiding those in need.  

Jerome Auvity and the Hilton Colombo have been actively involved in helping the Ceylon School for the Deaf & Blind running three residential schools - two in Ramayana and a third in Affine. They look after 600 students who are either hearing or sight impaired, providing them with accommodation, food and education. Students are taught a vocation which will help them to find employment after leaving the shelter of the school.

 Since adopting the school as its CSR partner in 2007 the hotel has provided the schools with hearing aids, brail typewriters, a newly furbished kitchen, the renovation of dormitories and a number of other necessities from the funds raised through the different projects over the years.

 This latest venture is the most recent in a line of events to help the school. The DVDs of the perahera can be purchased from the hotel. With the purchase of each DVD a complimentary photograph of the perahera will be given to each guest making a minimum pledge of $15 (approximately Rs. 1,500) to support this worthy cause.

 Not only are guests obtaining a beautiful memento of Sri Lanka and its rich cultural tradition, but they are also helping a very worthy cause. Children attending these special schools for the handicapped are being given an invaluable gift which will allow them to progress in life and to make their mark in the future of Sri Lanka.