Friday, January 25, 2008

PonGala!


What can a few brown papers, paints, craft papers, poles and strings create?
A lot. With sparkling ideas and a lot of enthusiasm these could create a Kids Community festival.
I received an invite from two bubbly kids to PonGala - a festival for kids and by kids!
Wow, the idea coincided with what I have been trying to do with kids.

The invite said - sacrifice your TV time and join the fun. The giveaways are certificates. Assured prize - lots of fun!

On a quiet morning after the grand Pongal Day, a small colony in Kilpauk came alive with kids in traditional dresses, rangolis, kummi, pot painting, festoon making contest and many more.
Mascots Bhooma and Suri depicting the Mother Earth and Sun god made out of chart papers and bunch of straw, the festival banners made of brown papers decorated the place!

A day of real fun and frolic!

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Almanac - update

Long ago I had blogged about the No. 28 Asal Pambu Panchangam.

Recently Raja Krishnaswamy mailed a comment on this:
"I was browsing the internet when I came upon your blog posting on the Pambu Panchangam. Not sure if you are aware, but even the western world uses a Panchangam and there is a popular Almanac sold in the US called the "Farmer's Almanac" published since 1792 which identifies appropriate times to seed, etc.

So there is a very scientific basis to picking the times in the Pambu Panchangam. Check out http://www.almanac.com/ "
Yes, Raja. I am aware of this. My post was an observation of the age-old almanac trusted by the Tamil population in our country. On a lighter side.
And yes, every system has scientific approach to time, stars, planets and their effects on human life.
Just the humans have to believe!

PS: Sorry for the delayed post. We have been busy with another festival here, which has nothing to do with the traditional festivals that make to the almanac, but we mark it in our calendar!