Tamizh Thinnai is a community interest company based in Nottingham whose main objective is to promote the Tamil language and spread awareness about the rich Tamil culture.
A spokesperson said:
‘We joined hands with Sewa Day and Dosawala to distribute a Pongal dish at the Nottingham city centre . Our friend Wajida and all our team members helped us to make this happen.
‘Pongal is a popular harvest festival celebrated in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu and other parts of South India.
‘The festival typically takes place in mid-January and marks the time for new beginnings and the end of the winter solstice.
‘The main dish associated with the Pongal festival is also called “Pongal.” It is a special dish made with newly harvested rice, lentils, jaggery (a type of unrefined sugar), and milk.
‘The ingredients are cooked together in a traditional earthen pot, and the dish is then offered to the Sun God as a symbol of gratitude for the bountiful harvest.
‘Pongal is a time for families to come together, express gratitude, and celebrate the abundance of the harvest season. The festival is marked by various rituals, traditional games, and cultural events. It is an important cultural and social occasion in South India, fostering a sense of community and shared joy.
‘We had a chance to explain and share the joy of Pongal giving with all the people available at that time in the Nottingham City centre.’
