The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Quintessentially Tamil

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Tuesday, Jan 15, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Quintessentially Tamil

— Photo: A. Shaikmohideen

Hot’n’ sweet: Pongal festivities at Chinmaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Palayamkottai.

Though life has become so mechanical in the modern era, some of the festivals of the land are so active and vibrant even now. Pongal is one such festival, celebrated so enthusiastically by Tamils across the globe, cutting across religious lines. ‘Sarkarai pongal,’ ‘vennpongal,’ ‘sambar’ and mouth-watering vegetable dishes do find a place in the Pongal celebrations at every house of the Tamils. The prime reason for these vivacious celebra tions is that the younger generation is being sensitised repeatedly by the elders of the need to celebrate such occasions with grandeur as it reflects the tradition and culture of the land.

Chinmaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Palayamkottai, was recently overflowing with merriment as it rejoiced Pongal celebrations. The principal, G. Pongal Punitha, and a good number of teachers of the school used to prepare Pongal with the participation of students during the early celebrations of ‘Thamizhar Thirunaal.’

However, the students this time played the lead role with the teachers assisting them in preparing Pongal and Sambar. When Pongal overflowed from 45 clay pots, the festive mood moved to top gear on the entire school premises.

“The child will learn to walk only when the mother allows him to make an independent attempt. So, we, under our guidance, allowed our students to prepare Pongal,” said Ms. Punitha.

Entertaining events such as ‘uriyadi’ and tug-of-war were also conducted for the students. “The children, who participated in the celebrations will never forget the day and will remember this auspicious occasion with a lot of excitement whenever they happen to hear or read the word ‘Pongal,’ even though they settle down in a land with an alien culture,” the principal noted.

P. Sudhakar

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