UDAKKI GENERATION: A QUALITATIVE RESEARCH ON JAYAKODY GENERATION IN NUWARAKALAVIYA RELATED TO FOLK MEDICINE

Abstract

The 'Udakki,' Kadawara, and Kambili deities, as percussion instruments in the Nuwarakalaviya (Anuradhapura District) region, coupled with Kolmura Kavya singing centered on deities, play a pivotal role in appeasing residual deities. This study zeroes in on the Jayakodi generation within Nuwarakalviya, a group utilizing Udakki in conjunction with folk medicine, with participants chosen through purposive sam- pling. Employing field study, participant observation, and interviews, the research focused on Kusumpura village, Nochchiyagama Divisional Secretariat. The investi- gation aimed to delve into the identity of Udakki craft within the Jayakodi generation and explore whether their folk medicine bears an inherited identity. The study eluci- dates the application of folk medicine in disease prevention with a sense of pride. Udakki is intricately linked to the traditional medicine of Kusumpura village, associ- ated with occult forces. If a patient does not recover after two prescribed medicines, it is believed to be indicative of a planetary or inhuman defect, leading to the ongoing practice of Shanthi karma. The field study reveals the utilization of oils, prepared through traditional prescriptions, for various joint diseases, with 30 types of medi- cines in use. The Jayakody generation asserts that their inheritance of this folk medi- cine traces back to King Ravana. Presently, the lineage has expanded, with Kusumpura village specializing in joint medicine, Palugama village in snake medi- cine, and Buduruwakande temple in eye medicine. The annual milk-saving festival, celebrated for three months from the auspicious day of Nanumura to Esala Poya, in- volves prohibited sound offerings such as Udakki Vadana and Kolmura Shanthi karma. Villagers entrusted for this purpose participate with unwavering faith. The residents of Kusumpura village venerate the Kadavara devala, considering it a holy place second only to Kataragama, engaging in charitable services. The research con- cludes that the Jayakodi artisans, rather than being descended from Swadhan, repre- sent a generation with an eclectic folk medicine, firmly rooted in a strong faith in unseen forces.