This year, Tamil Language Club (TLC) had the wonderful opportunity to host its first ever virtual Pongal celebration on 17 February 2021. This event was brought to the viewers live from LT1 via Microsoft Teams.
The performances and Pongal-making video were pre-recorded, edited and compiled into PowerPoint slides prior to the celebration.
Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated by Tamil people of various faiths and backgrounds. This year’s celebration was instrumental in reminding our fellow NIE TLC members and the NIE community that unity is strength.
Student teachers from various disciplines came together with one purpose - to put together a fun and informative Virtual Pongal Celebration. The celebration had multiple dimensions to showcase the various elements, emotions and colours of Pongal.
It started with an enlightening opening address by our Guest of Honour (GOH), Professor Hadijah Rahmat. Thereafter, we enjoyed a zestful, powerful and a spirited folk-dance performance by two of our Tamil student teachers.
The audience had the chance to witness a demonstration of Pongal cooking by our student teacher with our GOH. The demonstration was informative and effective in creating an awareness among the audience about the various cultural practices related to the Pongal festival.
Student teachers and staff adorned our ethnic attires to commemorate the joyous occasion. Sweet Pongal, Ven Pongal (savoury) and Vadai with chutney and sambar were distributed to the NIE Community shortly after the celebration.
