Chennai, 13 April 2022
Upholding the spirit of the traditionally close cultural and social relationship between the people of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Dr. MGR Janaki College of Arts and Science for Women, organised today a first-ever joint celebration of Puthandu, the Tamil New Year, and Vishu, the Malayalam New Year, featuring enthralling music and dance performances of the students.
Puthandu is celebrated on the first day of the Tamil month of Chithirai (Thursday, 14th April 2022), and Vishu, on the first day of Medam month, as per the Malayalam calendar (15th April 2022).
The celebrations were marked by traditional dances, arts, and cultural events of Tamil and Malayali people. They included Tamil folk dances: thappattam, karakattam, and oyilattam and the traditional dance form of Kerala, thiruvathirakali. A highlight of the event was Pookalam, an intricate and colourful arrangement of flowers laid on the floor, extremely popular in Kerala. The students of Tamil Nadu and Kerala participated in the event wearing pattu saree, half-saree, and Kerala’s kasavu saree, while the students of other states (including a student from Italy) were clad in kandangi selai, a cotton saree, worn in rural Tamil Nadu with a unique draping style known as pin kosuvam.
The joint celebration was inspired by the recent visit of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M.K. Stalin, to Kerala, accepting the invitation of the Chief Minister of Kerala, Thiru. Pinarayi Vijayan, which took the bonhomie among the political leadership on both sides to new heights, despite the unsettled disputes surrounding the Mullaperiyar dam.
In his comments, Dr. Kumar Rajendran, Chairman, Dr. MGR Janaki College for Women, said, “In all cultures, new year celebrations mark a new beginning and transformation for the better. Puthandu and Vishu are no different. We are happy to organise a joint-celebration of the new year of the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala in honour of the bonhomie among people and leaders of these two states that share centuries old relationship in all spheres of life. As it happens in a campus with a huge participation of students, there is a sense of immense satisfaction that we are catching the minds of young and spreading the message of unity, prosperity and the collective ability to go beyond all diversities.”
