The fire crackled in the courtyard, releasing the warm, sweet aroma of jaggery and rice. It was Pongal, a day of gratitude, tradition and togetherness. And as the sun climbed higher, over 450 women gathered, not just to celebrate, but to connect, to play, and to honor the spirit of community. Women from the Women’s Federation, Self-Help Groups, and surrounding villages arrived bearing offerings, rice, jaggery, and cashews, each ingredient representing the essence of the festival. As volunteers stirred the pot over an open fire, the gathering kicked off with a pledge of allegiance, seamlessly flowing into the monthly meeting. But this was not a day for long speeches, it was a day for movement, laughter, and shared joy.
On the adjacent sports ground, the energy shifted. Games had been carefully selected to ensure participation across generations. Excitement spread through the crowd as women formed teams for kabaddi, musical chairs, kho-kho, and the ever-popular head balancing race. This year, new games, Kidikidi Aattam and a balloon race—made their debut, sparking so much enthusiasm that some women vowed to take them back to their villages for their Pongal festivities.
Midway through the games, the sweet Pongal was ready. Plates were filled, the laughter continued, and under the open sky, a shared meal became a quiet act of unity. By late afternoon, the festivities drew to a close with a well-earned South Indian feast, marking the perfect end to a day steeped in tradition and community spirit. None of this would have been possible without the dedication of many hands. Special thanks to Senthil from AVSRC, sports coach Satheesh from Udhavi School, and the tireless volunteers from Edayanchavadi.
This spirit of collaboration is at the heart of AVAG’s mission. We believe in more than just celebration. We believe in the power of coming together, in the strength found in shared experiences, and in the simple joy of play. Pongal is a festival of gratitude, but on this day, it was also a festival of belonging.
Buvaneshwari, women’s club member, poet, and writer, Bommayarpalayam - The celebration brings a lot of joy and binds us all. The happiness will be in us for weeks. We join with women from different villages to play, share, and have fun. Normally we do not get this kind of exposure in our lives.