2nd Annual Idhu Enga Area Pongal at San Academy Kamakoti Nagar was an extraordinary day with a typical village Pongal celebration. The halls and reception were adorned with flowers and thoranam, sugarcane stacked to grace the occasion. An earthen pot was placed on fire with traditional fanfare. The chanting of Pongalo! Pongal! Pongalo! Pongal was exciting for the children. Our neighbourhood and general public were invited to the festivities. Every moment was enriching for the kids who were able to experience typical Pongal celebrations firsthand.

An initiative was taken to remind the visitors of our Tamil culture and tradition and they could feast their eyes on Mayilattam, Karagaattam, Bommai Aattam, Poikaal kuthirai, Silambatam, etc. Apart from this the children could spend time watching magic show and puppet show in the form of a shadow play.

The crew performed many folk art with Instruments and entertained the kids and the public. Children went on bullock cart rides, played Uriyadi and had sweet Pongal and sugarcane to end the day with many fond memories.

The commencement of the New Year brings a slew of festivals which Indians keep looking forward to for the rest of the year. The first is the harvest festival and Pongal is a Tamil tradition followed by all with great anticipation. With the intention of familiarizing the students with the culture deeply engraved in the heart of the people, and also acquainting them on the flavor of all things traditional, San Academy Kamakoti Nagar conducted the Pongal Thiruvizha on 12.01.2020 at its school premises. The entire neighbourhood and general public were invited to the festivities.

For many adults it was a re-visit to the past, where they vacationed at their native for all rituals, which brought back fond memories. For the young, more inclined towards technology, it was an eye-opener to understand our culture and enjoy simple things. To revive the fading traditions, the heart of the country – villages, and their unique customs were brought in. The guests were welcomed by big colourful aesthetically made Rangoli at the entrance.

Our cultural pride lies in the villages in the form of folk art. An initiative was taken to remind the visitors of our Tamil culture and tradition and they could feast their eyes on Mayilattam, Karagaattam, Bommai Aattam, Poikaal kuthirai, Silambatam, etc. Apart from this the children could spend time watching magic show and puppet show in the form of a shadow play.

AUTHENTIC FLAVORS

While everyone watched our colourful culture, they could experience different authentic flavours by savoring the taste of traditional food items which were on display in various stalls. Children could set aside their pizza and pasta and could relish the flavor of molaga bujji, paniyaran, appam, vadai, goli soda, millet and grain food, etc

TRADITIONAL STALLS

The cultural and traditional values of rural Tamil Nadu could be witnessed in the theme shops selling, bangles, ribbons, traditional toys, snacks, cotton candy, etc. The children could have their hands decorated with intrinsically drawn marudhaani. Children more used to amusement parks could enjoy the village version of the rides. While parampariya games like aadu puli attam, paramapadam, dhayam, paandi were arousing curiosity, jakkamma jostyam and kili jotsyam were not far behind in luring inquisitive patrons.

TRADITIONAL GAMES

The overwhelming response by the general public was a great boost for the organizers themselves. The event rejuvenated the spirit of Pongal in all our visitors due to the authenticity and the traditional manner and which was colored with competitive games which included uriadithal. Through all this exuberant celebration, one could notice a visible feeling of oneness among all, as every component inculcated within the campus spread the festive spirit.

With the advent of a new year, comes the preparation of the harvest. Pongal – the four day long festival of Tamil Nadu – is celebrated with great enthusiasm. San Academy Kamakoti Nagar invited the public to its “Idhu Yenga Area Pongal” on January 7th 2023.

The Chief Guests were Mr. Aravind Ramesh MLA Sholinganallur and Mr. V. Babu MLC Pallikaranai. The premises looked all geared up for the occasion the previous night. With the commencement of the rangoli competition early in the morning, the visitors were welcomed with colourful designs at the entrance. The setting was perfect as it sported a village with all the components inculcated in it. The hut, well and the potter wheel completed the ambience. People were able to relive their childhood memories.

Our cultural pride lies in the villages in the form of folk art. An initiative was taken to remind the visitors of our Tamil culture and tradition and they could feast their eyes on Karagaattam, Bommai Aattam, Poikaal kuthirai, etc. That was not all. Several silambam artists had performed with sticks, iron rope, knife, fire and other objects. The performance from tiny tots to our silambam master was awe-inspiring. Students from classes 6 to 8 performed dances on Pongal related songs.

While everyone could feast their eyes on our colourful culture, they could also treat their taste buds by experiencing different authentic flavours by savoring the taste of traditional food items which were on display in various stalls. Children could set aside their pizza and pasta and could relish the flavor of molaga bujji, keerai vada, jigardhanda, goli soda, millet and grain food, etc.

The cultural and traditional values of Rural Tamil Nadu could be witnessed in the theme shops selling, bangles, ribbons, traditional toys, and other genuine village fare. Girls and ladies could opt for marudhaani or mehendi. Children could enjoy their rides on bullock carts and watch magic show. People could try out working with beads, stringing flowers and basket making. While parampariya games like aadu puli attam, paramapadam, dhayam, paandi were arousing curiosity amongst both children and adults, jakkamma jostyam and kili jotsyam were not far behind in luring inquisitive patrons. There was an overwhelming response for the competitions held, which included pachai kuthirai, sack race and lemon-spoon race. 'Uri Adi' had the audience cheering each and every participant.

The immense response by the general public was a great boost for the organizers. The Chief Guests were astounded by the remarkable transformation of the venue and all that was on offer for the visitors. They appreciated the efforts put in by the school to host a traditional project in a grand manner. The city children were highly inspired by the entire show and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

San Academy Kamakoti Nagar invited the public to its “Idhu Enga Area Pongal'' on 12 January 2024, held in the campus. The organizers were very delighted to extend a warm invitation to not only the neighbourhood but also all the near and dear ones of the students, parents and staff. The premises sported a village mela atmosphere with all the components inculcated in it. The visitors were welcomed with the pleasing sight of colourful, aesthetic rangolis at the entrance. The students and staff gave a festive look with their traditional attires.