Tourism Minister releases book on fairs and festivals of Tamil Nadu

Suba Veerapandian, president of the Social Justice Monitoring Committee of the Tamil Nadu government, on Saturday (December 20, 2025) made a strong case for including Pongal in the list of festivals recognised by UNESCO.

Participating in the release of the coffee-table book, Fairs and Festivals: Traditional and Ancient Customs of Tamil Nadu, jointly produced by The Hindu Group and the Tourism department, Mr. Veerapandian requested DMK Rajya Sabha member Tiruchi N. Siva to make efforts to secure UNESCO recognition for Pongal.

“Navarathiri, Durga Puja, Kumbh Mela, and Deepavali have been recognised by UNESCO, but not Pongal,” he said, recalling DMK founder C.N. Annadurai’s letters from 1956 to 1969 highlighting the importance of Pongal.

Mr. Veerapandian said that most Tamil festivals were originally linked to changes in seasons but later acquired religious overtones.

Mr. Siva, in his address, said he felt proud as a Tamil after reading the contents of the book, adding that it would be of great help to people from other States and countries as it was in English.

“The culture and history of Tamils should be celebrated. People are interested in visiting foreign countries and other States, but how many Tamils have visited places of historical importance within the State? Tamils constructed the world’s first dam. They built massive temples when there was no technology to move huge granite boulders. They created wonderful sculptures,” he said.

Beyond religious practices

Sinthanai Selvan, floor leader of the VCK in the Assembly, said that Tamil culture and customs had a long history and that their festivals originated even before the emergence of religious practices.

Citing Pandit Iyothee Thass, he said most festivals had their origins in funeral ceremonies. The book, he added, would shed light on Tamil culture and help people move towards a sense of identity beyond religion.

Congress leader A. Gopanna said the book would encourage readers to visit various places in search of their cultural roots. “Urbanisation has ushered in many changes in the way festivals are celebrated. The book will help readers understand the flavour of these festivals,” he said.

Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artistes Association president Madhukur Ramalingam said the book had proved that a photograph could convey what thousands of words could not. “Even a documentary cannot capture the power of beauty frozen in a photograph,” he said.

Pointing out that festivals from other countries had assumed local flavours, Mr. Ramalingam said the book had captured changing cultural practices, such as head shaving at the Velankanni church and the Kurutholi festival observed by Christians.

Tourism Minister R. Rajendran, who released the book and handed over the first copy to L.V. Navneeth, CEO of The Hindu Group, said the Tourism department was organising many festivals to attract tourists.

T. Christuraj, Director of Tamil Nadu Tourism and Managing Director of TTDC, and A. Sivapriya, Deputy Director of the Tourism Department also spoke.