Alright, an exaggeration, but I am both very proud and flattered to have been invited by the Sri Lankan Embassy of US to speak at their Pongal celebration – the festival of harvest and spring. This celebration is basically a big get together for dignitaries, consulates, business entrepreneurs AND also anyone who has a vested interest in Sri Lanka to network, share ideas and generally to have a good meal (yup food is obviously involved).The event took place yesterday 17th Jan 2010 at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC. I was asked to do a
Oh, Did I mention I felt so bloody nervous at first. We had a huge list of VIPs, including Tissa Wijeratne-Deputy Chief of Missions, Brigadier Vijitha Ravipriya-Deffense Attache, Dr. Walter Anderson-VP,John Hopkins University and Steve Kerchoff-Representative from the White House. When I was invited to give this speech, I was asked if I could give a simple short talk about the significance of Pongal. No pressure there. Here is the speech;
"Ainthu karathanai aanai mugathanai
Inthin ilam pirai polun yeyitranai
Nandhi magan thanai
Nyana kolunthinai punthiyil
Vaitu adi potrugindreney"
translates -
"We emplace in our minds
The sacred feet of the ONE
The embodiment of wisdom
The five handed
Elephant Visaged- with tusks
Curved like the crescent moon
The son of the Supreme Siva
We adore"
"Ingu koodiyirukum annaivarukum enn panivana vanakam koodiya, pongal nal vaazhthukkalai Koorikondu…
I would like to continue my speech in English for the convenience of everybody in the audience.
Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would first like to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you who have gathered here today to celebrate Thai Pongal. Thank you!
Thai Pongal; a cultural holiday recognized and celebrated by the Tamil communities of Sri Lanka has been around for more than 2000 years. Historically Pongal is a day to celebrate the harvesting season in Sri Lanka and India. It is the day to thank the sun, earth, rain, farmers and farming animals for the yearlong hard work. This two-day festival of nature-worship and thanksgiving takes its name from the Tamil word “pongal” meaning, "boiled rice" and is held on the first day of the Tamil month “Thai” hence the name thai-pongal. During this month, farmers harvest rice, sugar cane and other grains. Pongal is a joyous and happy occasion celebrated by everyone despite social class and faith.
On the day of Pongal, members of the family wake up early in the morning, bathe, puts on new clothes and gather to cook the traditional Pongal which refers to newly harvested rice cooked in new pot with milk and sweetened with jaggery in the direct view of sunlight. Then the cooked pongal is offered to the sun with special prayers by an elder of the family, as if to say thank you. On the next day, Mattu Pongal is celebrated to thank the cattle’s, which helped farmers to plough the fields, transport goods and provide milk to drink. On this day the cattle is bathed, decorated and fed with cooked Pongal.
In current times I believe Pongal is the day to remember our origins and thank our forefathers for teaching us to appreciate nature, cultural values and religious tolerance that they have bestowed upon us for a harmonious and prosperous society. On this festive day, we should banish superstitious beliefs, darkness of ignorance and egoistic arrogance. And instead lit the light of knowledge and embrace the warmth of human love and compassion among all people. Let us cheer pongalo Pongal and cultivate friendly attitude to conquer the minds of men and women; to show empathy; to give up war; give up jealousy; to shower mother Lanka and her people with mercy and love! Let us all live with discipline; charity and harmony for a happy and prosperous life! Pongaloooo pongal!!! Thank you!"
Inthin ilam pirai polun yeyitranai
Nandhi magan thanai
Nyana kolunthinai punthiyil
Vaitu adi potrugindreney"
translates -
"We emplace in our minds
The sacred feet of the ONE
The embodiment of wisdom
The five handed
Elephant Visaged- with tusks
Curved like the crescent moon
The son of the Supreme Siva
We adore"
"Ingu koodiyirukum annaivarukum enn panivana vanakam koodiya, pongal nal vaazhthukkalai Koorikondu…
I would like to continue my speech in English for the convenience of everybody in the audience.
Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would first like to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you who have gathered here today to celebrate Thai Pongal. Thank you!
Thai Pongal; a cultural holiday recognized and celebrated by the Tamil communities of Sri Lanka has been around for more than 2000 years. Historically Pongal is a day to celebrate the harvesting season in Sri Lanka and India. It is the day to thank the sun, earth, rain, farmers and farming animals for the yearlong hard work. This two-day festival of nature-worship and thanksgiving takes its name from the Tamil word “pongal” meaning, "boiled rice" and is held on the first day of the Tamil month “Thai” hence the name thai-pongal. During this month, farmers harvest rice, sugar cane and other grains. Pongal is a joyous and happy occasion celebrated by everyone despite social class and faith.
On the day of Pongal, members of the family wake up early in the morning, bathe, puts on new clothes and gather to cook the traditional Pongal which refers to newly harvested rice cooked in new pot with milk and sweetened with jaggery in the direct view of sunlight. Then the cooked pongal is offered to the sun with special prayers by an elder of the family, as if to say thank you. On the next day, Mattu Pongal is celebrated to thank the cattle’s, which helped farmers to plough the fields, transport goods and provide milk to drink. On this day the cattle is bathed, decorated and fed with cooked Pongal.
In current times I believe Pongal is the day to remember our origins and thank our forefathers for teaching us to appreciate nature, cultural values and religious tolerance that they have bestowed upon us for a harmonious and prosperous society. On this festive day, we should banish superstitious beliefs, darkness of ignorance and egoistic arrogance. And instead lit the light of knowledge and embrace the warmth of human love and compassion among all people. Let us cheer pongalo Pongal and cultivate friendly attitude to conquer the minds of men and women; to show empathy; to give up war; give up jealousy; to shower mother Lanka and her people with mercy and love! Let us all live with discipline; charity and harmony for a happy and prosperous life! Pongaloooo pongal!!! Thank you!"
I was elated to get all positive feedbacks out of some 65 people who attended. Some words that were used to describe my speech, outstanding, smooth, beautiful, direct, naked, taut, honest, passionate, lean, shivering, startling, and graceful. What more should I ask for?? I am indeed very thrilled.
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