Ghana Tamil Association marks Pongal celebrations

The Ghana Tamil Association has marked the Pongal Festival, an Indian festival, at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences in Accra.

The festival, which is a harvest festival, is usually celebrated in mid-January but was marked this year on February, 13, 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The celebration begun with a prayer from various Indian sects.

The festival saw Indians cladded in their beautiful traditional and cultural outfits to promote the Tamil culture.

The festival was graced by the Indian High Commissioner, Mr Sugandh Rajaram, former president of Indian Association, Rajesh Thakker, CEO of Graphic Courier Powered by Techmaax, KVS Nathan, Office bearers of various regional Associations, GTA family, some Ghanaians and Indians.

About Pongal Festival

The festival is celebrated by the South Indians all over the world to thank the Sun god for a bountiful harvest. Pongal celebrations last for four days.

The cattle (mainly the cow, buffalo and oxen) is the animal associated with the celebration of Pongal. The Pongal festival is greatly linked to Agriculture.

The horns are painted and covered with shining metal caps. They are also decorated with flower garlands and bells.

Ladies from Tamil community cooking the "Pongal" special dish prepared on the festive occasion

Various dishes are prepared and shared.

Performances and Awards

This year's festival saw young Indians performing cultural songs and dances to commemorate the day.

Various performers were awarded for their participation.

CEO of Graphic Courier, Mr Nathan KVS presenting a certificate to Master Aniketh Prakash

Indian High Commissioner, Mr Sugandh Rajaram speaking at the festival

Guest of Honor

The Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Sugandh Rajaram in his address, thanked the GTA for organizing the Pongal festival celebration in Ghana.

He thanked them for continuously conserving the Indian heritage.

Mr Rajaram expressed happiness to the association's willingness to always champion the Indian course especially, in the build up to India's 75th Independence Day celebration in August.

About GTA

The GTA was established on April 14, 2013.

GTA is a non-political and a secular organization which is open to people who are genuinely interested in the GTA's objectives.

Some executives of Ghana Tamil Association

The objectives of GTA is to Cultivate, Promote, Foster, and Develop the advancement of knowledge in Tamil Language, Ancient Tamil Culture and In-depth literature.

The Tamil language is one of the oldest languages in India.

The association will turn 9 later in April.

Appreciation

The Association expressed appreciation to its sponsors- Kingdom Exim Ghana Limited, Graphic Courier powered by Tecmaaxx , etc. for always supporting them.

Some executives of the GTA with some sponsors

The president of GTA, Mr Elangovan Sukumaran, presented an ornament to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kingdom Exim Ghana Limited, Dr James Gnanaraj Rajamani and the Managing Director, Dr Immanuel Paulraj Rajamani as a token of the association's gratitude.

They further thanked all persons who were present for their support.