For many of us, a New Year is usually about new resolutions that includes letting go old habits and bad memories, working on plans for the present year. For traditional Tamilians, the month of January is much more than just the beginning of a year. The beginning of the Thai Month, also known as Tamizhar Thirunaal [தமிழர் திருநாள்], is the time of Farmers and is much more eagerly anticipated than the New Year itself. Having just completed the yearly harvest, its the time when people say thanks to the Sun God for the support. But this by no means indicates a stoppage. The next cycle begins immediately after this thanksgiving note!
We call it as Pongal in Tamilnadu, different states in India celebrate with a different name, almost on the same date. Spreading our wings wider, a month or so later, many countries in the world celebrate Carnival, which is believed to be an act of welcoming the sun as winter closes [some call it a role reversal day, others mark it as religious reasons too]. If we look closely, they are all related to each other. One is thanking the sun, the other is welcoming the same.
For a long time, the most basic needs for mankind - food, clothing and shelter - have all been acquired by our own cultivation. This concept is perfectly illustrated during Pongal. Traditionally, everything that gets cooked on that day [grains and vegetables] and used for serving [the plantain leaves], will be acquired from people's own fields, thereby giving everyone who worked towards the crops a great sense of accomplishment. Though it is not the case anymore, it will be nice if we work towards going back to those times. My wife used our own homegrown TURMERIC and GINGER this year for Pongal. The following year, she wants to use sugarcane that she cultivates - Hema is very ambitious and I cannot rule that out from happening. In a subsequent blog, I shall try and explain the tips for these little activities.
“Pongal” [the verb] in Tamil translates to overflow. And that gave way to Pongal the noun. On every auspicious day, be it inaugurating a new house, or simply moving into a rented house, or visiting a temple - we can witness people cooking Pongal or boiling milk or both. This action is backed up by a fantastic justification - All happiness, prosperity, wisdom, health and wealth in the home and for people involved, should overflow very similar to what we see the Pongal or the milk doing. From the bottom of my heart, I wish the same for all you readers in the year ahead.
Awesome Babu.. pongal nalvazhthukal
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