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PONGAL: THE CELEBRATION OF LABOUR
A year full of toil and sweat, ahead of them And a year of relentless labor just gone by, The tireless work has given them the reward: A green field full of golden grains has been reaped. The harvest had given them their livelihood As a return to their hard and unyielding labor. Their hearts are filled with gratitude, As they realize the benefit of their efforts. They thank the sun, the provider of life For flooding their fields with the grace of his rays. They thank our anchor, mother earth, In whose secure lap grows their crop. They pay their respects to the oxen, Which helps them in their unremitting labor, By ploughing the fields under the heat. Their pots are brimming with rice and sweet sugar As their voices echo the joyful words—“pongalo pongal!” The music of their voices resound their delight As they gear up for yet another year of deliberate labor. Their expressions of gratitude have a legacy been, The rich tradition of thanks-giving celebrated As each harvest passes by, giving hope of another ahead Also preaching that life is an onward journey Which goes on, with hope as its guiding light…. ~S.R.VIDHYA~
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