AVANI AVITTAM

Pongal is to Tamilians what Thanksgiving is to Americans, Oktoberfest to Germans and Lammas to Scots.  It is a time to celebrate and give thanks to God for a bountiful harvest. Held in the middle of January, the beginning of the Thai Masam (a month in the Tamil calendar), it is a time when the people thank the Sun God, Mother Earth and their cattle for the plentiful paddy crop that has been harvested during the mild winter months. And as with many festivals there are traditions and symbols galore.

Pongal continues through the first three days of 'Thai Masam' that starts in mid-January and lasts till mid-February.  As people prepare for the festivals, houses are cleaned, painted and decorated. The courtyards and the entrances to houses are patterned with Kolams (decorative patterns). It is celebrated in the rural parts of Tamil Nadu with great fervour, as it is a festival of agriculture.

Probably the most important festival after Deepavali, Pongal literally means 'boiling over', the festival is celebrated by boiling rice, lentils and milk in an earthern pot, with the milk actually boiling over.

The festival always starts on 13th January every year and coincides with Lori, a festival celebrated in Punjab and Sankranti celebrated in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra. As the calculations are done according to the solar calendar, the dates remain the same every year. The first day is Bhogi Pandigai (Festival of Bhogi), which is dedicated to Indra - the God of Rain. This day falls before Pongal on the 13th of January. On this day, people burn the unwanted items in their homes, as a symbol of getting rid of the old. The second day is known as Pongal the most important day of the entire festival, when prayers are offered to the Sun God, Surya. Traditionally, on the morning of this day, the entire family used to gather outside the house and cook pongal in clay pots. This tradition is still followed in the rural areas.

The third day is known as Maatu Pongal, on this day people offer their thanks to their cattle. Farmers devote this day to their cattle, as an appreciation of the services that these animals render throughout the year. Cows and bulls are washed, decorated with bells and served milk and food.

The Jallikattu is probably the most dominating imagery of Pongal being celebrated in the countryside. Jallikattu is all about young men vying with each other to tame a bull and win the prize or cash that is tied around its neck. The scene of a Jallikattu resembles a country fair and has been featured in many films.

Pongal in the city

The urban populace celebrates 'Pongal' by making the traditional food items like Pongal, Boli and other sweetmeats. However for most, it is time to catch up with their friends and relatives or spend the day in front of the television as there are a host of special programmes lined up. The Pongal festival also sees a shopping frenzy with people looking for great bargains thanks to the fabulous discounts at many textile showrooms.

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