Families enjoy Tamil festival (From Harrow Times)

Families enjoy Tamil festival

1:54pm Monday 16th January 2012 in News By Natalie O'Neill

FAMILIES were entertained with music and dancing as part of a festival in Harrow last Saturday.

More than 170 people turned out to the harvest festival, Thai Pongal, which was held in Harrow Council Chamber, at the Civic Centre, in Station Road.

Thai Pongal is celebrated every year on January 14 to honour the sun.

Groups including Hendon Tamil School and Middlesex Tamil Academy performed for the crowds and families gathered to offer pongal, a dish consisting of rice and milk.

The audience was entertained with traditional baraphanatis dancing, and musicians playing instruments including the thabil, which is a type of drum, and a nathafvaram, which is a clarinet.

Councillor Krishna Suresh, who has helped to organise the event on behalf of the Harrow Tamil community, said: “It was so lovely and everybody really enjoyed it. We wanted to share the event with other communities so they could see the Tamil culture – and it was a success. I’m really pleased.”