Kanji aka Kandha

 A handful of rice cooked in water, with a only a pinch of salt added, was the only food in Mullivaikkal  back in 2009. The civilians were trapped on a narrow strip of land during the last stages of the war. They had no access to supplies of essentials and whatever that was available in scarce quantities were supposed to be alarmingly high. A survivor’s tale accounts how a coconut had cost LKR 2500. That along with all other essentials were luxury then.

The only food that could be consumed for survival was this simple porridge locally referred to as kanji.

Since it originated from the village of Mullivaikkal the village name was prefixed to kanji. Today Mullivaikkal Kanji has become a symbol of surviving a bloodied era.

A reason to reflect on surviving the brutality endured by thousands who paid the price of egocentric heroism.Nothing gained, but losses in abundance.

Fast forward 13 years later, that ghastly finale is now, for some, a showpiece and decoration of foolish pomp and pageantry.

Today there is no war fought with weapons,                                                            But we fight a different war,                                                                                        A battle to simply be able to carry on a normal life

Instead of sounds of high artillery and armoury                                                          All we hear are cries for justice and equality.                                                      Instead of sights of blood and gunshots

All we see are raised arms and wide open mouths in protest                                  Of a failed system, unequal and corrupt governance                                              All we see are waving flags, musical pleas, slogans and marches.

We live challenging the same haunting shadows of scarcity of food and alarmingly rising prices of essentials.

The country’s list of luxuries include fuel (all types), cooking gas along with staples such as rice, milk powder, sugar, vegetables, fruits,

We have endured countless tragedies,                                                             Battled an assortment of ignorant mishaps                                                             To come this far                                                                                                     and still battling against the same reasons

We are so adept in figuring out                                                                         What’s next and the next ball of mess rolling our way

After seeing the countless posts about the humble Mullaivaikkal Kanji                    Is it not obvious that the simple kanji is again likely to flow our way ?