SRM Institute of Science and Technology Celebrates Pongal Festival with Grand Participation

SRM Institute of Science and Technology celebrated the Pongal festival in a grand and vibrant manner at its Kattankulathur campus, with the participation of over 15,000 students, faculty members, and staff. Organised by the Tamil Perayam, the celebrations were held in line with the vision of Dr. T. R. Paarivendhar, Founder Chancellor of SRMIST and Patron of the Tamil Perayam. For the past four years, the festival has been conducted as a major cultural event highlighting Tamil tradition and heritage.

The celebrations commenced at 9:00 AM with a colourful cultural procession that began from the University Administrative Building and culminated at the sports ground. Around 2,000 participants took part in the procession, which featured traditional art forms such as Nadaswaram, Parai drumming, Poikkal Kuthirai, Mayilattam, Oyilattam, and Kavadi Attam, creating a festive and energetic atmosphere across the campus.

Following the procession, students presented a series of cultural performances that continued for nearly two hours. Traditional games including Uriyadi and tug-of-war saw enthusiastic participation from faculty members, non-teaching staff, and students, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie and celebration.

The valedictory session featured felicitation addresses by Mrs. Padmapriya Ravi and Mrs. Manimangai Sathyanarayanan, who also distributed prizes to the winners of various competitions held as part of the festival.

Delivering the special address, Dr. T. R. Paarivendhar appreciated the efforts of the Tamil Perayam in organising the event. He emphasised that such celebrations not only provide a platform for students to showcase their artistic talents but also play a vital role in preserving and promoting traditional art, culture, and values. He highlighted that the Pongal festival stands as a symbol of unity and cultural pride within the university community.

The event was attended by the Vice-Chancellor, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, President of the Tamil Perayam, Campus Administrator, Directors, Deans, faculty members, staff, and students, making the celebration a memorable and meaningful occasion for the entire SRMIST fraternity.