Pongal Post

The teacher in the class would go –  write a "composition" on Festivals of India. As a child from 3rd or 4th standard, the very word "composition" meant only some write-up on a topic and nothing beyond; for it's just the assignment that would strongly come to mind. And so the festivals of India –  while Diwali is an easy pick, I always had more content for Pongal. The reason was very simple : we have Pongal, Mattu Pongal and then Kanum Pongal! Writing about all the 3 days of Pongal would easily fill the pages of the book for the composition. Oh and how could I forget Bogi!

As a city dweller, there are some standard images that come to mind and then put into words - Of colourful pots, beautifully adorned cows with the bell around their neckline dangling, making a resonating sound amidst the vehicles abuzz on the city streets. I always wanted to be in a village to experience Pongal for that is where the heart of this fest lies. "Kanum Pongal" actually would make more sense to a person from a village –  as a person in the city, we are anyway constantly in the process of seeing things - you wouldn't go to the beach or the movies simply on account of Kanum Pongal for it's a weekend getaway!

The whole Pongal paraphernalia feels fulfilling but leaves me wondering constantly : here's an Indian festival (that too South Indian), which is both on the menu as well as on the list of holidays!
Happy Pongal by the way!

The adorable street calf

If it's Pongal, then there needs to be sugarcane!

A lady at the Pot stall

Of clay and its shapes