Tha Lifestyle Feb,2014 | Page 7

THA LIFESTYLE | LANGUAGE & CULTURE TAMIL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN RUSSEL SQUARE LONDON 15TH JAN 2014 Pictures courtesy of Tamil Student Initiative KOLAM A form of painting that is drawn using rice powder often using naturally/synthetically colored powders is one of the main feature of Thai Pongal Event. Kolams are thought to bring prosperity to homes. Every morning in South Asian Tamil villages millions of women draw kolams on the ground. SAKKARAI PONGAL Rice boiled with milk and jaggery forms sweet rice called “Sakkarai Pongal” which is an integral part of the Thai Pongal Event. In Tamil the root word ‘pongu’ means to “boil over” thus it’s known as ‘Pongal’. Sweet pongal is made specially in earthenware pots with a wood fire in South Asian Tamil Villages. MULTI CULTURAL MODERN THAI PONGAL HELD IN LONDON 15TH JAN 2014 Pictures courtesy of Tam