more-in A coastal village in the district, where fishing is the prime occupation, has been celebrating its ‘Golden Jubilee Pongal’ for four days since Bhogi. And the natives, living across the globe, are participating in the celebrations along with their families. Christmas and New Year are celebrated with pomp and gaiety in the coastal hamlets of southern districts where Christians live in large numbers. However, the situation is completely different in Kesavanputhanthurai, a small hamlet near Nagercoil, where ‘Pongal’ celebrations have been making Christmas and New Year celebrations dull since 1967. Though life has taken twists and turns for many natives of Kesavanputhanthurai over the years due to migration to various parts of the world, they always carry their culture along with them. They are so keen on being at their native place during ‘Pongal’ celebrations as coconut farming also forms part of their livelihood. The four-day Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Pongal in the village began with hoisting of Pongal Flag, prior to which the people went around the village with the flag and Pongal Jyothi even as artistes of ‘Kalari Cultural Association’ setting the trend with their music. The first day events ended with floodlight ‘kabaddi’ matches. The next dawn witnessed the preparation of pongal in 50 pots. After preparing and sharing the pongal, the entire village participated in the ‘rangoli’ competition, followed by various competitions for various categories till dusk. The third day witnessed the artistic performances of young men, women and many intellectuals too. The last day was in harmony with the sea and the shore. Swimming competitions for different age groups, catamaran race, tug-of-war, marathon, etc., were some of the events which brought out the talents of the ebullient folks. The celebrations would come to a close when the flag is lowered. “The village, having cent per cent literacy rate, is sending its citizens to various parts of the world. But they make sure that they are present at Kesavanputhanthurai during Pongal. A couple of its citizens had actively taken part in Independent struggle, and a few of them were with Netaji in the Indian National Army, and they have installed a pillar to mark the nation’s independence. Their affinity towards Tamil is remarkable. The residents of the village actively participated in anti-Hindi agitations,” says former MLA Bernard, who hails from this coastal hamlet.

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