Tamil Pongal celebrations
The KS3 Art after school club have been practising paper craft this term, creating some beautiful decorations for Tamil Pongal celebrations.
After researching Pongal pot patterns and discussing the meaning behind Tamil Pongal, the club used coloured card and added collage patterns to paper pot shapes. Large sugar cane trees and a large cardboard Pongal pot formed part of the set for photo opportunities. It was a great opportunity to learn about a different culture and to be involved in the wider community.
CCS staff member Anitha, was delighted to see the students' wonderful decorations on display at a recent Pongal celebration, and kindly shares some more information below about this special event:
'Tamil heritage month was established in 2021 by the London assembly to celebrate and recognise the contributions by Tamils in UK. This celebration is an amazing way to learn new things, discover more about Tamil Heritage and hear remarkable stories. Thai Pongal is celebrated in January, and it is apt for Tamil Heritage to be commemorated in the same month. Pongal is a Harvest Festival celebrated by the Tamil community in India, SriLanka, UK and around the world. Also celebrated as Sankranthi in Andhra Pradesh & Telengana. It is a celebration to thank mother nature and the various farm animals that help to produce a Bountiful harvest. Pongal festival is celebrated over four days and the festival also marks the beginning of the tamil month called Thai which is an auspicious month. This year Thai Pongal in UK was celebrated on the 15 January 2024.
Pongal is also the name of the meal made and eaten during this Festival. The Tamil word pongu means to boil over. We first offer the Pongal to the gods, then share and eat it with family. There are four days of Pongal which are Bogi Pongal, Surya Pongal, Maattu Pongal and Kaanum Pongal. The first day is to clean and discard old belongings, the second day is to honour the sun God, the third day is to worship the cattle which contributes to the Harvest and the last day is to strengthen ties with family and the community.'