The following is the perspective of modern 3rd generation Singaporean Indian families.
Courtesy of my cousins Mahalakshmi and Karpagam.
In this modern world it is difficult to celebrate full scale.
So on Pongal day, 14 Jan most years unless it falls on 15, we do all the necessary prayers (depending on time, budget, energy, beliefs) on Pongal day itself and pass it on to the next generation in our personal ways.
I usually only make sweet pongal. My mum makes both varieties. My mum-in-law does the vegetable kootu curry. She is born in India.
I also have noticed different provisions available in Tekka with the arrival of more Indian immigrants in Singapore. The increased demand for traditional ingredients has added variety to what is available here in Singapore.
Most Indians practice an offering of ancestral padayal* during Deepavali season. Some families in India do it during Pongal festivity. My sister-in-law practices this. The ancestral padayal during Deepavali seem more of a Singapore-Malaysia practice.
Some of the changes to my Pongal Practice once I got married and moved to my own home.
1. Newly Married couples
Bride's parents come over to present gifts in the form of new clothes.
It is a special Pongal. Some traditional families do this every year for their daughters and sons-in-law. Modern families replace the presents with money packets.
2. Mummy Pongal
As a new mum/mum of young children I had the task of celebrating Pongal in a way to pass the knowledge and traditions down to my children. I have brought them to Little India to interact with the cows. During this pandemic I think they still have this activity but 5 per time. It is usually quite popular.
I have also brought them to the Indian Heritage Centre. Pongal exhibition and activities there. They have a Facebook page as well. Here is the link.
Activities
I also my own little activities at home. You can try some of these.
Vocabulary activities when they were younger. Flash cards and Word match.
6 am Pongal lectures on the significance while waiting for the milk and rice to boil. When the milk boils and overflows, we shout in joy “Pongalo Pongal!” Somewhat like Lo Hei practiced by local Chinese Singaporeans.
Farm Tours are fun and educational as well but tickets are usually snapped up very fast. Check out the Kranji farm tour in first link.
I buy these pre-decorated Pongal clay pots. Some prefer to recycle. Some will say buy new pots. I use clay because it is easier to cook for me personally. You can also buy the plain ones and decorate it yourself as an activity. Some use steel pots too.
Finally we have a basic Pongal Padayal (offering on banana leaf).
Fruits, sugarcane, sweets, flowers, coconut, betel leaves and a lamp. You can wish to make this platter grander or more humble. These are some of the ways we celebrate as a modern Indian family in Singapore.
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