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.
