The name “Baddagama” holds a special place in literature, anthropology, and cinema as a representation of Sri Lanka’s social development and rural lifestyle patterns. The novel and film based on the small village of Baddagama successfully depicted the harsh realities of rural life, the nature of human behavior, and relationships, creating a social discourse that brought these aspects into focus. Additionally, it served as a visible model of the simplicity of people’s daily lives, the tranquility of rural social settings, and the complexities of folk culture.
However, upon revisiting Baddagama today, we are confronted with a completely transformed landscape. Structural, economic, and social revolutions have significantly altered the lives of Baddagama’s people. Let us examine the changes, recurrences, and challenges in these lives.
“Baddagama” is not merely a name used to depict the evolution of Sri Lankan society. It stands as a reflection of the socio-cultural identity that developed from the early 20th century onward. Previously, the people of Baddagama led a simple life primarily based on agriculture. Their daily lives and economy depended on irrigation systems, paddy cultivation, and forest resources.
Today, when we visit Baddagama, we encounter men and women who have inherited social and economic transformations compared to the past. Many social factors have contributed to this change. Economic transformations, particularly the availability of new job opportunities, have led the people of villages like Baddagama to adopt a more complex lifestyle. New businesses, industrial activities, and small enterprises have developed. In addition to agriculture, employment opportunities have expanded into the industrial and service sectors.
With the growth of an educated population and the advancement of education, the progressive development in the educational sector has transformed Baddagama from the society Leonard Woolf once saw. The subjugated and oppressed people of that era are no longer present today. Through national educational programs, people have gained access to learning opportunities, equipping them with new knowledge and skills. The Baddagama people are no longer unrefined. A significant difference can be observed between the colonial administrative system that once governed the village and the level of social awareness among people today.
Due to the advancement of communication technology, the once-isolated village depicted in the novel no longer exists in the same form. The progress of information and communication technology has enabled the people of Baddagama to connect with the world. The little gems and infants of the modern era have incorporated social media, video platforms, and the internet as integral parts of their daily lives. Compared to the limited infrastructure described in Leonard Woolf’s novel, Baddagama has undergone significant development in terms of basic facilities.
When examining social interactions and community relationships, it is evident that villages once had deep social connections. However, with modern technological advancements, these close-knit relationships have significantly diminished. Instead of environmentally friendly and peaceful lifestyles, commercialism has increased. The traditional caste-based social relationships have shifted towards a system based on social status and recognition.
The influence of new ideologies among the younger generation has made them easily adaptable to the technological world. Social media has a strong impact on their lives, extending beyond traditional values to the spread of new perspectives. Particularly due to migration trends, many young people have moved away from the village.
Not all changes have led to positive outcomes. Just as no society achieves complete success, the people of Baddagama also face economic and social challenges.
A significant disparity in income exists within new economic sectors, and in some sections of the population, extreme poverty can still be observed.
Environmental Destruction
New projects and industrial investments have had significant impacts on the environment. Deforestation and the destruction of reservoirs are among the major concerns.
Damage Caused by Wild Animals
Farmers and cultivators continuously raise concerns about the damage caused by wild animals, both within the village and to their crops. The villagers believe that government institutions and officials should pay greater attention to the destruction caused by elephants, peacocks, and monkeys, which results in agricultural losses and property damage.
The region known as Baddagama serves as a directional indicator of social evolution.
It is essential to enhance the technical skills of the younger generation and introduce professional training programs.
Efforts are needed to revive traditional relationships and social values.
Baddagama holds special significance as a site for research and anthropological studies. Preserving it and utilizing it effectively for the tourism industry is a timely necessity.
Revisiting Baddagama reminds us of an important lesson, the harmony between stability and evolving ideologies in life. Although social evolution presents difficult challenges, it can also pave the way for a new phase in human existence. If, amidst these new social trends, we still encounter refined individuals who remain unshaken by rapid changes, much like the enduring figure of the vedarala (traditional healer) in Baddagama, it would indeed be a positive outcome.
