Pongal Bliss: A Two-Day Celebration in Kayal Patnam

As the festive air filled my native village of Kayal Patnam in Thoothukudi district, I embarked on a journey to celebrate the vibrant Pongal festival. Two days of joyous events awaited me, promising a break from the digital world and a deep dive into the heart of traditional festivities.

A week prior, the village bustled with activity. cleaned and painted homes, and prepared sweets(Different types Murukku, Athirasam, Somaas, rava laddu and etc.). while the market buzzed with the purchase of fresh vegetables and fruits. The stage was set for an unforgettable Pongal celebration.

Day 1:

• Morning Rangoli Rituals: The day kicked off with rangolis. The air was filled with the joyful chant of "Pongalo Pongal" as traditional Pongal preparations began.
  
  
  
• Harvest Offering: After cooking Pongal using traditional methods, we offered vegetables, fruits, and sugarcane to the gods, symbolizing prosperity and thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest. The entire village came together to express gratitude to nature.
  
  
  

  
  

  
• Games Galore: Post-breakfast, the village streets turned into a playground. Sugarcane tasting, balloon blasting, water filling, and traditional games like Lemon on the spoon added joy to the celebration. Laughter echoed as all generations participated in the fun-filled activities.
  
  
  
  

  
  
• Lunchtime Delight: The day paused for a hearty lunch featuring Pongal with sambar. The balloon-blasting competition brought out the competitive spirit, with awards adding a touch of excitement. In addition to that, I got second prize in the balloon-blasting game🤣. A slow cycle race and a unique juice-drinking game kept the energy high.
• During the slow cycle race game, numerous counters come from the audience, primarily from women. "Ivanuku cycle eh oota theriathu ivan inga ena pandran."
• In addition to that, most of the women in the village have a good sense of humor and spontaneity compared to men.
  
  
  
  
  

Day 2:

• Sapattu Raman and Musical Chairs: Day two commenced with the Sapattu Raman game, where participants faced the challenge of completing a plate filled with various items in just five minutes. The ever-entertaining musical chair game added a layer of competitiveness, and I was proud to secure the first prize😌.
• My friend's dad participated in the Sapattu Raman potti, and my friend's mom gave a nice counter from the outside. The counter was, "Nalla aala than select pannirukinga, nalla soru soru rasam rasam nu sapduvan." As she predicted, he won the first prize in the Sapattu Raman game.
• Ball Bowling and Pushups: The festivities continued with ball bowling and pushups games, showcasing the diverse talents of the villagers. The lunch break featured "Palaya Soru" and "Palaya Kolambu," a personal favorite.
  
  
  
• Traditional and Fun Games: The afternoon brought forth traditional and entertaining games such as the lucky corner game, Kola (Rangoli) Potti, and the thrilling Uriyadi game. The latter, involving smashing a pot blindfolded, added a unique touch to the celebration.
• In the Uriadi game, myself and my friends participated, and we had to blindfold ourselves with cloth. During that time, we received a couple of counters from the audience, mainly women. "Ivan lam ithuku sari pattu vara mattan. Kanna kattama vittale ivanuku adikka theriathuu."



• Prize Distribution: As the sun began to set, the culmination of the Pongal celebration saw the distribution of prizes, recognizing the winners of various competitions. The sense of community and joy lingered, creating memories that would last a lifetime. Every celebration event is incomplete without dance.

In reflecting on the two-day extravaganza, I invite readers to experience the magic of Pongal in their own villages or, better yet, join the festivities in Kayal Patnam next year 😁. The celebration is more than just games and competitions; it's a perfect mindful session that rejuvenates the spirit and strengthens the bonds of community. Come, let's celebrate Pongal together in the heart of tradition and joy.

For every game, we face a couple of challenges. like inga vaa na avan anga povan.. yetha panna kooodathu nu soldramo atha than pannuvanga...etc

Magic's POV: 
ஏலே ஏலே கிராமத்து
குடிசையிலே கொஞ்ச காலம்
தங்கி பாருலே கூரையின்
ஓட்டை விரிசல் வழி
நட்சத்திரம் எண்ணி பாருலே
-Na. Muthu Kumar

Thanks for your time💙