11th March 2012

Pavala Rajesh Kumar Jeyabalan

Theru Kattu Pongal Season in Sivakasi

Theru kattu Pongal is celebrated on Masi month of Tamil Calendar, in Sivakasi. Sivakasi is famous for Therukettu Pongal Festival. Each street has Idol, commonly Amman idol. The idol is workshipped by the street people. Majority of the streets in Sivakasi celebrated 2012 Therukettu Pongal. Before the week of the festival, sprouted grains ( Mulaipari ) are produced in pots, in a dark room. For eight days, Kummi will be done by the girls and women of the street, accompanying kummi song. Amount will be collected from all the families of the street and the given amount is entered in a note, maintained by the incharge of the Street Committee.

On the occassion of Therukettu Pongal the street are decorated with colour papers, thoranais, Veppilai thoranais, decorative serial lights, tube lights and focus lights. Music systems are placed at the entrance of the streets. Games, competitions will be conducted. Dance, drama will be performed by the Street kids, in a pre arranged stage. Chief guest of the theru kettu pongal, distribute prizes to the winners. Chief Guest may be usually, the ward councillor or the Chairman or the famous personalities of Sivakasi.

As a part of Therukettu Pongal Festival mulaipari and milk pots are carried out by the devotees. The mulaipaari participants of the processions carry earthen pots with grown grains (nine different types of grains) inside on their heads and walk towards Sivakasi Mariamman Kovil Theppakulam where the content is dissolved. The street people go with their street mates, to majority of the temples and special poojas will be done for the wellness of the street people. After their arrival to the street special archanai will be done to the goddess of the street. Food are prepared and the streetmates eat in the road of the street. Pongal are prepared and distributed to all the families, on the next day. Auctions will be taken place. People get flower garlands, lemon garlands, amman sarees through auction. Finally the created idol is dissolved in the well or Theppakulam.

J.Chandraleka, member of a street in old virudhunagar road said sivakasiweekly.com, that, Therukkettu Pongal is celebrated in Sivakasi for more than 100 years. The spirit of Therukettu Pongal encourages the feeling of brotherhood in the street and even the enemies turn friend on this day. People of all communities and even religions participate in this entertaining street festival and strengthen the secular fabric of the street. She added, her team successfully celebrated therukettu pongal for 27 years, in her street. Earlier in 1950s Mr.Meenatchi Sundaram of the same street with his team, celebrated Therukettu Pongal for 27 years. For few years between 1970s and 1980s, there were no celebration in the street. She concluded by saying, her street successfully celebrated therukettu pongal for 54 years. And she hopes the celebration will be continued in the years to come.

Sivakasi is not only famous for Crackers, but also for Therukettu Pongal.

Photos: Ravindran BalaSubramaniam and Pavala Rajesh Kumar Jeyabalan