Claypots runneth over for Ponggal

Ramanie Stores managing director S. Patmanathen (left) showing customers the variety of claypots he has for Ponggal at Little India, Penang. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT and ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

CLAYPOTS can now be seen by the thousands at sundry shops in Penang’s Little India.

They are an indicator that Ponggal is around the corner.

Ponggal, meaning “to boil over” in Tamil, is a harvest festival that will be celebrated on Jan 15 this year.

The colourful claypots in three sizes – small, medium and large – are used to cook sweet rice which is meant to boil and overflow, signifying abundance.

An employee bringing out claypots to display on racks.

The claypots are priced between RM11 and RM16, depending on size.

Ponggal is celebrated from the first to third day of the Thai month (January to February).

Farmers in India celebrate on the first day as it represents the first harvest of the year.

The second day, known as Mattu Ponggal, is devoted to cows.

Young women are celebrated on the third day, known as Kanni Ponggal.