Here is a glimpse of how our neighbourhood celebrated Pongal this year…
ROKA celebrates Pongal with conservancy staff in a thoughtful gesture
The Residents of Kasturba Nagar Association (ROKA) celebrated Pongal with the conservancy staff of Urbaser Sumeet of Kasturba Nagar, by distributing provisions, including 5 kg of rice, lentils, and other essentials. They also organised a thrift event, showcasing quality pre-loved clothes donated by residents and friends from Kasturba Nagar and nearby localities.
Nearly 30 sarees, along with kurtis, pants, T-shirts and blouse bits, were beautifully displayed on hangers for workers to select from. ROKA sourced kurtis from Wasted 360 Solutions’ thrift store and emphasised the value of sustainable practices. Many hangers were sourced from within the locality, ensuring the clothes were presented in an organised and dignified manner.
“ROKA and its members truly believe in thrifting. During our waste collection drives, year after year we have seen many people coming with bags of good clothes, many times ironed, and giving them away. So we felt that it would be a good gesture if we could display such good quality clothes for the conservancy staff, for a wholesome Pongal celebration,” explained Saranya from ROKA.
Saranya added that they were very particular that residents understand the dignity of labour and that the clothes shared were in really good condition, neatly ironed and folded. The staff, visibly moved by the gesture, eagerly picked items for themselves and their families. “The teary smiles on the faces of the staff said it all! Sometimes, the smallest thoughts create the biggest impact,” shared Saranya reflecting on the heartwarming response.
Radiant Pongal celebrations at Radiance Mandarin
There was excitement at Radiance Mandarin on Jan.12 as the residents celebrated community pongal at their premises. The celebrations reflected the rich traditions associated with Pongal – from kummi dance performances by ladies wearing colour-coded sarees to preparing sakkarai pongal, the eponymous sweet dish cooked with rice, milk and jaggery in clay pots.
Residents young and old participated with great enthusiasm in games such as tyre race, Uriyadi and tug-of-war. Everyone was spellbound by the performances of mayilattam, oyilattam and Thaaraithapattai. The children enjoyed the stalls of healthy snacks.
The premises were decorated in a traditional Tamil village style and all went on bullock cart rides. The celebrations ended with a delicious feast.
Pongal celebrations at Sankara school
Sri Sankara Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Thiruvalluvar Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, celebrated Pongal with great enthusiasm and fervour on Jan.11. The event was a wonderful showcase of our rich cultural heritage, and the students thoroughly enjoyed the festivities.
The celebration commenced with a mesmerising group song, followed by a traditional dance and insightful speeches by the students. All the programmes highlighted the cultural and historical significance of Pongal, Mattu Pongal, and Thiruvalluvar Day.
The school premises was beautifully decorated with vibrant rangoli and Pongal arrangements, including the traditional pot, which added to the festive atmosphere. The statue of Thiruvalluvar was decorated with flowers and other offerings to mark his birth anniversary.
Bala Vidya Mandir celebrates Pongal with festive spirit
Bala Vidya Mandir, Gandhi Nagar, Adyar, celebrated Pongal on Jan.9 and 10, with joy and enthusiasm. The school campus came alive with colourful Kolams created by parents as early as 6.30 am, setting the festive tone.
Principal Daffenee Rodgers and Vice-Principal Shanthi Vasu inaugurated the event with a music concert, featuring talented students performing on the flute, mridangam, and violin. Primary students showcased their cultural talents through oratory, singing, and dance performances.
Grade 8 students participated in a lively culinary competition, while Grade 6 girls impressed with intricate Kolam designs. The KG students charmed everyone with their dance performance accompanied by the Thappattam, performed by the Madurai Marudu Kalaikuzhu Troupe, who also presented Mayilattam and other traditional art forms.
The celebration included spirited activities like Uriyadi for Grade 11, the cycle-tyre race for Grade 7 boys, and flower thoranam competitions for Grade 7 students. Grade 6 boys showcased their sportsmanship in the Pachai Kuthirai competition.
With performances of the Thiruppavai, a Villu Pattu by teachers, and a magical Mattuvandi ride for KG children, the event beautifully blended tradition, talent, and teamwork, leaving a lasting impression.
Pongal fete at Dr. MGR-Janaki College for Women
Dr. MGR-Janaki College for Women in Chennai celebrated Pongal with vibrant cultural festivities on Jan.11. Over 4,000 students, dressed in traditional attire, participated in the event, which recreated a village setting filled with rustic charm. Folk dances like Kummiyattam, Oyilaatam, and Silambaattam showcased the region’s rich cultural heritage, while students managed stalls selling traditional items such as sugarcane juice, tender coconuts, and cotton candy. The campus buzzed with activities, including mehendi application, parrot fortune-telling, and food stalls offering porridge and sundal, mimicking a village fair.
The highlight was the preparation of the Pongal dish, which students offered as a thanksgiving gesture for a good harvest. As the dish boiled, students sang “Pongalo… Pongal,” marking the festive conclusion. Dr. Kumar Rajendran, Chairman of the college, emphasised the importance of preserving cultural traditions for future generations through such celebrations.
ADF celebrates the bovine too
On the occasion of Pongal and Mattu Pongal, the Appayya Dikshita Foundation (ADF), Kottivakkam, organised celebrations focused on supporting underprivileged individuals and animal welfare. The festivities aimed to uplift needy communities by distributing essential items such as rice, edible oil, a grocery kit containing 15 items, dhotis, towels, sarees, and chudidhar sets. Beneficiaries included vegetable vendors, milk vendors, sweepers, flower vendors, and others in need.
On Jan.15, ADF celebrated Mattu Pongal at a goshala managed by the Institute of Animal Welfare in Karpagambal Nagar, Neelankarai. High Court Advocate Srinivasan presented a cheque for cattle feed, received by Sankar, the goshala manager. Items donated included urud dhal dust, bran flakes, cottonseed oil cake, fried gram husk, jaggery, and 1.5 tons of hay.
Prominent dignitaries, including Anuradha Ravi Iyer (Former VP – Singapore Bank), K.Sathyamoorthy (Southern Railway), Suresh Jayaraman (CA), and Krishnamurthy (former CLRI official), attended the event. Anuradha distributed gift hampers to goshala caretakers.
The celebrations began with gho-puja for the cows, followed by Vedic chants of Sree Suktham, Gho Suktham, and Lalitha Sahasranamam, led by Vedic pandit Vaidyanatha Sharma.
Unity Club hosts traditional Pongal
Unity Club organised a vibrant and traditional Pongal festival celebration at Rajaji Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from residents – old and young. The highlight competitions included traditional games for children and youth, martial arts display by Silambam Masters from the Global Silambam Martial Arts Academy (Thiruvanmiyur), exclusive contests and cultural performances for women and prize distribution to winners of various competitions. The club also conducted an awareness drive on health and wellness.
The event served as a platform for fostering community spirit, showcasing cultural heritage, and promoting unity among the residents of Rajaji Nagar. Organizers expressed their gratitude to all contributors and participants, making the event a grand success.
For more information contact Suresh Babu (90032 25131), M.Manoharan (98413 03500) and A.Maruthi (81900 41713).
Pongal celebrations at Kidzee Thiruvanmiyur
Kidzee Thiruvanmiyur (Valmiki Nagar and Kannappa Nagar) celebrated Pongal with joy and tradition, creating a memorable day for its young learners. The event featured a bullock cart ride, delighting the children and giving them a glimpse of rural life.
Dressed in vibrant traditional attire, the kids enthusiastically participated in the festivities. Teachers demonstrated the preparation of Pongal using clay pots, and the sweet aroma filled the air.
The significance of Pongal as a harvest festival was explained, fostering an appreciation for Tamil Nadu’s rich culture. It was a day of learning, gratitude, and festive cheer! For details contact 98843 00080, 98842 00080.
