Another Asian American group that celebrated New Year on April 15 was the Wisconsin Tamil Sangam. To the Tamils all over the world, the month of Chitthirai has arrived, an occasion to celebrate and greet everyone, Puthandu Vazthukal ! (Happy New Year), because it is the day when Lord Brahma (the Creator of the world, according to Hindu mythology) started creation.
The day starts with viewing the kanni (the auspicious sight that includes nature's bounty and riches) at dawn, with the hope that the New Year will bring favorable things and good fortune throughout the year. This is followed by a ritual bath and a visit to the temple to pray for a prosperous and happy New Year. Afterwards, the Panchangam (almanac) is read. The ladies adorn the entrances of their houses with Kolam (design made with rice flour) and deck the doorway with mango leaves. The highlight of the festival is the 'Maanga Pachadi' (a dish made of raw mangoes, jaggery and neem flowers), which tastes sweet, sour, and bitter. According to tradition, this signifies the different aspects of life.
The local Tamils brought this tradition to life and then they gathered at the Middleton Performing Arts Center to celebrate New Year as a community through a skit and lots of dancing by children and youth performers. WITS President Jansirani Prabakaran welcomed families and guests, while Vijaya Raja Raman emceed the program.
Three local schools of Indian dance presented their special numbers: Ganesha Kauthvam, performed by Zhong-mei Urbonya of the Kalaanjali School of Dance; Dheem Ta dare from the movie Takshak, performed by Anju Bhaita, Keertana Pittala, Nivedhitha Prabakaran, and Teja Vemuganti of the Spandhan School of Dance; and Raadaiyin manadhil our ragasiyamam-oru azagana karpanai nadanam, performed by students of Natyarpana Dance Company. The Swaralayam Kala Nilayam kids presented Dasavadharam for the song "Thirumal perumaikku nigar eedhu" from the film Thirumal Perumai. The dance performed in this segment by Aarini Balakrishnan was choreographed by Vijaya Raja Raman.
With lots of laughs (when fully attired small children did their stuff onstage), lots of applause (when young performers made a great show), and lots of cameras clicking from the audience, it was truly a day that made Tamils and non-Tamils happy and proud to celebrateTamil Puthandu.
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