The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Samathuva Pongal celebrated

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Thursday, Jan 17, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Samathuva Pongal celebrated

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) and the Collectorate of Chennai joined hands to celebrate “Samathuva Pongal.”

The visitors from Germany, the United States of America, Belgium, Portugal, France, England and Malaysia were welcomed at the venue by a team of Tourism Department officials and later escorted to a decorated bullock cart to be taken to the actual programme spot. They were witness to “sweet pongal” being made by self-help-group women who had gathered in large numbers.

The State Tourism and Culture Department Secretary, V. Irai Anbu, said this was the first time that the Tourism Department organised a “Samathuva festival.”

“We wanted to take a step forward through this Samathuva festival feast and at the same time showcase the traditional culture to the younger generation,” he said adding that the Samathuva festival would become an annual event.

A painting competition for school children on the theme “Pongal festival” was also held as part of the celebrations amidst the cultural dance performance with the depiction of Arjuna’s Penance as the backdrop.

Director of Tourism and Managing Director of TTDC, M. Rajaram, and Chennai Collector R. Jaya were present.

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