Celebratory events have taken place across Canada to mark Tamil Heritage Month and Thai Pongal.
The secular Tamil festival gives thanks to the sun and for the harvest and dates back in its current form to at least as far back as the Medieval Chola empire. The occasion is marked by boiling milk and rice - the 'pongal' - in a clay pot, often accompanied by various other treats and seasonal fruit. The overflow of the milk symbolises abundance and prosperity for the year to come.
A pleasure to join Montreal’s Tamil community today to mark the beginning of Thai Pongal and to celebrate Tamil Heritage month, honouring all the contributions, culture, and rich history the community has to offer.
— Mélanie Joly (@melaniejoly) January 15, 2023
Iniya Thai Pongal Valthukkal. pic.twitter.com/HxBHO1Tz64
Melanie Joly, joined Montreal's Tamil community to celebrate Tamil Heritage month.
On behalf of the Federal Liberal Caucus, Happy Tamil Heritage Month & Happy Thai Pongal!
— Gary Anandasangaree (@gary_srp) January 14, 2023
Today, #Tamils from & around the world gather to #celebrate the first day of the Tamil calendar’s month, Thai & the 4 day Harvest festival, #ThaiPongal.
Iniya Pongal Nalvazhthukkal! pic.twitter.com/5yAADdOlzJ
Members and MPs of the Liberal Caucus also sent their wishes celebrating Tamil Heritage Month and Thai Pongal.
Why Tamil Heritage Month is important
— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownont) January 14, 2023
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Brampton Mayor, Partick Brown spoke of the importance of Tamil Heritage month and spoke of the failures of the international community to intervene to stop the Tamil Genocide. He spoke of Tamil Heritage month being an opportunity to remember the "great contributions of the Tamil Community" and also recognise the "resilience" of the Tamil Community despite facing "Genocide".
Today, Toronto Sign is lit red and yellow in recognition of Tamil Heritage Month.#ThaiPongal pic.twitter.com/HyOn1hy4rt
— John Tory (@JohnTory) January 14, 2023
The Toronto Sign was lit red and yellow in recognition of Tamil Heritage Month
Wishing Vaughan’s vibrant Tamil community a prosperous Thai Pongal & a Happy Tamil Heritage Month!
— Francesco Sorbara (@fsorbara) January 17, 2023
A Wonderful inaugural #TamilHeritageMonth celebration at Vaughan City Hall w/ Mayor @stevendelduca, members of council & my friend @gary_srp . pic.twitter.com/EJHfBU6F1f