TRADITION OF OUR FATHERS
It has been going on for years. And now 126
years later the history, tradition and uniqueness is still very
much alive as the game it self. It is the most happening event
in which Royalists and Thomians all over pay universal homage.
The Royal-Thomian is an ironic mixture of
revelry and piety. It seems incredible that three days of cricket
awaited in eager anticipation could be taken so seriously, in the
atmosphere of gaiety, nonsense and high spirit that virtually
overwhelms the scene.
The big match is in fact one long carnival. Its
early signs are manifested a month before in the hive of activity
that surrounds the preparation of the souvenir. This excellent
endeavor abounds in satire, wit and caricature that make it
fascinating reading for the fastidious as well as the restless.
It is also a meeting place. A place where old
boys renew acquaintances with former classmates, and former players
recall with pride their exploits on this hallowed stretch of turf.
Nostalgia is a predominant feature here. Which old boy can
truthfully say that this annual event does not evoke memories of the
days gone by, those days that can never be replaced.
On the other hand the young females who cannot
resist the vim, vigor, vitality and of course the irresistible charm
of the adolescent males come to watch the Royalist and Thomians at
their best. Dressed to kill in the colours of the two schools they
come like bees being attracted to honey. Some even go to the
extremes of wearing a college flag around the neck so it would look
like a blue and gold or blue and black cloak. We must also not
overlook the many partnerships (conjugal) that have had tentative
beginnings here.
When we talk about College tradition Big Match
tradition plays a major part. The Cycle parade (which is non
existent at present), the papare bands, the visit to the cemetery at
night by the souvenir committee and last but not least trucking
(which is unofficial) are the essence of the whole theme of having a
Big Match. One could also call this the opening ceremony of the Big
Match as these take place a day prior to the match.
Despite the fact that trucking is done
unofficially the day before this grand occasion the students play
the game of cops and robbers literally by going in trucks, buses and
vans that are merrily decorated in the colours of their respective
colleges and ducking the police after jumping Articles almost every
girls school in Colombo. The unfortunate will inevitably get caught
by the police. But getting caught has always been a usual phenomenon
during the Big Match season.
Getting drunk like a dog, chanting slogans like
a trade union worker who is on strike, being noted to the principal
and getting busted by cops like a convict gives a touch of
sanctified lunacy to the proceedings. Nonsensical Yes! But remove
this aspect and witness how empty the scene could be. Every
behavioural deviation is catered for.
This is what makes the Big Match more unique
than other cricket matches played around the globe. The spectators
are more a part of the game as players. In my opinion none could
match the peculiarity and individuality of this event. No match
generates such excitement and passion. There are various imitations
in this isle it self, but this is the genuine happening.
It is not a scenario that emerged recently. It
has been there during the time of our fathers and our fathers before
them. It has always been a known fact that out of all Colleges and
Institutions Royal College has always been under a microscope
especially when it comes to the media that has always pointed out
negative aspects of the Royal-Thomian encounter.
One could understand that in the fast pace
world that we live in tradition and culture has been fading away.
But it is great to admire that in an age of politics, deceit and
peccadillo Royal College has always been able to uphold the college
tradition to the highest level. And giving reasons to those critics
who live in glass houses has been a situation of "casting pearls
before swine".
The Royal-Thomian Battle of the Blues 126 years
and still going strong. Despite the many barriers Royalists face to
continue the Big Match tradition they have proven that they will not
bend before their white masters to pick up their crumbs, and as the
college song says; "School where our fathers learnt the way before
us, learnt of books and learnt of men, through thee we'll do the
same", and will continue to do so till the last dog is down.
By Asif Fuard
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