Happy Pongal! பொங்கல் மற்றும் புதுவருட நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்!

On behalf of CTYA’s Blog Team, we would like to extend our warmest Tamil New Year and Thai Pongal wishes!

அனைத்து தமிழ் உறவுகளுக்கும் கனேடிய தமிழ் இளையோர் ஒன்றியத்தின் உறுப்பினர்கள் மற்றும் இயக்குனர்களின் சார்பில் எமது இதயம் கனிந்த தைப்பொங்கல் மற்றும் தமிழ் புதுவருட நல்வாழ்த்துகள்!

The Tamil month of Thai is a month of celebration, joy, and thanksgiving. Thai Pongal marks the beginning of a New Year for the Tamils. During Thai Pongal, Tamils  celebrate by offering gifts to family, dressing in new clothing, and giving thanks to the natural elements.

From pagan festivals to modern-day festivals, ceremonies of thanksgiving remain an integral part of culture and tradition. Likewise, Tamils all around the world celebrate thanksgiving during the festival of Thai Pongal. Thai Pongal is a four-day long harvest festival where individuals offer thanks to nature for providing grain, the basic staple of the food chain.

The etymology of Thai Pongal can be traced to the meaning of its root words “pong” and “thai,” which mean “to boil” and “January” in Tamil. Thai Pongal marks the first day of a new year, and a new month of the Tamil calendar. On this day, farmers will thank nature, especially the Sun and the farm cattle for their allowing them to reap a bountiful harvest, and will harvest new crops including rice, cereals, sugar cane, and turmeric for the next season.

“Thai” holds much cultural and social significance; it has not only marks the beginning of a new year, but has traditionally been the month in where most weddings are held. The Tamils have traditionally been an agrarian society, as a result, the months of plentiful harvest was the months in which resulted in economic output. Thai being such a month meant that more families were able to bear the expenses of holding a wedding.

Maatu Pongal is a celebration that follows Thai Pongal in which farmers honour their cattle for its hardwork by giving it a bath and adorning it.

Thamils all over the world celebrate Thai Pongal by giving thanks to nature, making special dishes, giving gifts to family, and dressing up in new clothing. It is a cultural holiday and festival, thus it is celebrated by all Thamils.

Many believe that with the onset of a New Year, better pathways and beginnings will follow, thus the common phrase, “Thai piranthaal, vali pirakum.”

On behalf of CTYA’s Blog Team, we wish you and your families a prosperous and joyous Thai Pongal, and hope this year brings with it new opportunities, new beginnings and happiness.

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