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Celebrate Tamil Heritage and Thai Pongal at Innisfil Event

by Ella

Thai Pongal, a key festival for Tamil communities worldwide, is more than just a harvest celebration—it’s a time to express gratitude to nature and the sun for a bountiful harvest. As Sanjevan Bala, secretary of the Innisfil Tamil Association, explains, “The festival is dedicated to expressing gratitude to nature, particularly the sun, for a bountiful harvest.”

This year, the Innisfil Tamil Association is hosting a special event to celebrate Tamil Heritage Month and Thai Pongal on Saturday, January 18. The event, which is free to attend, will take place at the Stroud Innisfil Banquet Hall, located on the second floor of the Stroud Innisfil Community Centre Arena (7883 Yonge St.). Doors will open at 2 p.m., with the program beginning at 3 p.m.

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A Growing Community Celebration

The event will feature vibrant cultural performances and delicious Tamil cuisine, as well as a chance to learn more about the Tamil community’s growing presence in Innisfil. Both Mayor Lynn Dollin and Scarborough-Rouge Park MPP Vijay Thanigasalam will be in attendance. Thanigasalam is a significant figure in the Tamil-Canadian community, being the first Tamil-Canadian to hold a position as Ontario’s associate housing minister.

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Mayor Dollin expressed her enthusiasm for the event, saying, “Innisfil is a very diverse community, and we truly welcome everyone. We want to celebrate all cultures and traditions, such as Thai Pongal, which is a time of laughter and peace for friends and family to come together.”

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Bala also expressed gratitude for the presence of the mayor and councillors, noting, “Their presence means a great deal to us, and we sincerely appreciate the time they’ve dedicated to celebrating our community.” He also praised Thanigasalam for being a source of inspiration to many young Tamil people.

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Tradition and Culture at Thai Pongal

Thai Pongal, which falls in mid-January, marks the beginning of the Tamil month, Thai. The festival includes several traditions, such as cleaning the house and decorating the front entrance with Kolam—a traditional Tamil design. These Kolam patterns will be displayed during the event to provide a glimpse into Tamil culture.

A special prayer is recited on Thai Pongal, and food plays an important role in the celebration. Pongal, a dish made from rice, yellow moong dal, and sugarcane, is shared among family and friends. Other traditional foods such as vadai, payasam, and coconut chutney will be available at the event for attendees to enjoy.

An Educational Cultural Experience

In addition to the festivities, the event will feature a cultural educational component. Artifacts from previous generations will be on display to offer a connection to Tamil history and traditions that may have been lost or forgotten by the current generation. This provides an opportunity for attendees to learn more about Tamil culture and the growing Tamil community in Innisfil.

“This event is created as a cultural educational event where we will be having artifacts that were used by our previous generation but forgotten or lost in time by the current generation,” Bala said. “It’s a way for people to see, feel, and connect back with Tamil culture.”

A Vibrant Celebration of Tamil Arts

This year’s Tamil Heritage Month theme is “Celebrating Tamil Arts and Honouring Tamil Artists.” The event will showcase a rich variety of traditional Tamil music, dance, and cuisine, along with performances by a new generation of Tamil leaders passionate about promoting Tamil culture. These leaders are helping bridge the gap between tradition and modern living.

“The agenda will take you on a journey back in time, immersing you in the rich traditions of Tamil culture through vibrant music, captivating dance performances, and authentic, delicious cuisine,” Bala said.

A Personal Reflection on Heritage

For Bala, Tamil Heritage Month and Thai Pongal represent a deep connection to his roots. “It’s a time to reflect on the rich history of our Tamil people and their contributions to the world in art, literature, science, and philosophy,” he explained. “Both Thai Pongal and Tamil Heritage Month reflect the resilience and adaptability of Tamil culture, thriving across centuries and geographies.”

Join the Innisfil Tamil Association for an unforgettable experience celebrating Tamil culture, heritage, and community at this year’s Thai Pongal event.

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