Conversations that teach ✨

It’s been 2 days since I started working as an intern in my college, and today I met a new friend, a Tamil Sri Lankan girl. During a casual conversation, she mentioned a sport she enjoyed playing back in Sri Lanka called Elle (pronounced ˈelːeː, written as எல்லே in Tamil). I had never heard of it before, and that instantly sparked my curiosity.

So later, I looked it up and started reading about it and honestly, I was surprised by how interesting it turned out to be.

Elle is a traditional bat-and-ball game that’s been part of Sri Lankan culture for centuries. It’s somewhat similar to cricket or baseball, but with its own set of unique rules and style. Historically, Elle was played mostly in rural areas, especially during harvest seasons or village festivals, on open grounds or paddy fields. It was more than just a sport; it was a way for people to gather, celebrate, and strengthen their community ties. Men, women, and even children participated, and it became a part of the country’s cultural rhythm.

It is similar to cricket, but in a different way...both involve batting and fielding, but the setup, equipment, and energy feel more raw and traditional.

The game itself is played between two teams. The batter uses a stick (instead of a bat) to hit a soft ball, usually like a tennis ball (sometimes uses seed pods as balls) and then runs to four different bases, called “stoppings.” The fielding team tries to get the runner out either by catching the ball or hitting them with it before they complete the run. It’s fast-paced, fun, and built around teamwork and quick decisions.

What struck me most was how such a simple game could carry so much history. Elle was once considered Sri Lanka’s national sport, and even today, it’s played in schools, universities, and local tournaments. Learning about it made me appreciate how games are not just about competition, they’re a reflection of identity, tradition, culture and belonging.

We also discussed how contrasting Tamil sayings are when it comes to food, especially the importance of salt and taste. For example:

"உப்பில்லா பண்டம் குப்பையிலே"

(A dish without salt belongs in the trash) 

"ருசிக்காக சாப்பிடாதே, பசிக்காக சாப்பிடு"

(Don’t eat for taste, eat to satisfy hunger)

"உப்பில்லா கூழிட்டாலும் உண்பதே அமிர்தமாகும்"

(Even a saltless porridge becomes nectar when eaten with contentment)

These lines may sound contradictory, but they actually reflect the depth of Tamil culture, teaching us both the practical importance of taste and the philosophical value of simplicity and contentment.

All of this started with one small conversation, and it opened up an entire world I didn’t know existed. Sometimes, these quiet moments lead us to the most unexpected kinds of learning, and i realised that today.. I did some deep thinking about all the things I had missed out on over the years. And I realised something important:

"கற்றது கைம்மண் அளவு, கல்லாதது உலகளவு."

Which translates to:

“What we’ve learnt is just a handful of sand, and what we haven’t learnt is as vast as the world.”

This reminded me to never stop learning. There’s always more out there...more knowledge, more perspectives, more stories.

And honestly, speaking to new people truly helps with that. You never know what beautiful or unexpected things a simple conversation can teach you. And that is exactly what today taught me.