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The Secrets of Dayani Saloon

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The Secrets of Dayani Saloon Denzil Jayasinghe 6 min read·Sep 19, 2024 Dayani Saloon, a seemingly ordinary establishment with extraordinary secrets, lies in the heart of a bustling town. As patrons step through its doors, they are not just seeking a haircut or a shave; they are entering a realm where stories intertwine and the past whispers through the walls. This narrative unfolds the enchanting tales of the saloon’s enigmatic owners and the eclectic mix of characters who frequent the saloon, each with their own stories and dreams. What mysteries lie beneath the surface of this vibrant community hub? Join us as we explore the hidden depths of Dayani’s Saloon in Ceylon in the 1960s, where every snip of scissors reveals a new chapter waiting to be uncovered. In the sleepy town of Dalugama, where the Old Kandy Road merged lazily into the Kandy Road proper, stood Dayani’s Saloon. It was a modest establishment, as unremarkable as any other building on that dusty street, yet it held a certa
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The Ironed Fabric of Dalugama

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Denzil Jayasinghe 6 min read This is a poignant story set in 1967 Ceylon, focusing on a humble laundry run by two brothers, Victor and Piyadasa. The narrative revolves around a young boy who is captivated by the meticulous work of the laundry brothers, especially Piyadasa, who uses a traditional charcoal-heated iron to press clothes. While the brothers worry about the future of their craft, the boy finds solace and meaning in the personal touch and care they provide, which machines cannot replicate. The story emphasizes the importance of tradition, craftsmanship, and human connection in a world undergoing rapid change. It uses the metaphor of the ironing process to represent the transformation and shaping of a community, highlighting the enduring value of human touch and the power of personal connections in a changing world. In the languid sleepy village of Dalugama, just seven miles northeast of Colombo, life moved at the pace of the warm breeze that rustled through the coconut palms.
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The Mysterious Postcard

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  The Mysterious Postcard Denzil Jayasinghe 2 min read A lone postcard, a solitary missive amidst a sea of envelopes, arrived on my doorstep one crisp morning. Its unassuming exterior belied the intrigue that awaited within. The sender, Brother Jerome, my boarding master, had inscribed the message in a language that was as unfamiliar to me as the distant starlit sky. Intricate calligraphy, written in a hand that seemed almost too small to be human, covered the back of the card. The word “RECIPROCATING” stood out, its ornate flourish adding a touch of mystery to the otherwise ordinary greeting. The phrase “reciprocating your kind greetings” was also present, but in a language I couldn’t decipher. The postcard itself was a generic Christmas greeting, wishing a “Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.” I understood “prosperous,” a word commonly used to denote a successful year ahead. But “reciprocating,” written with such precision and care, piqued my curiosity. Why had Brother Jerome
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