Chandra (third from left) waiting for her sister-in-law Saraswathy Nesaratnam (on her left) to serve the ‘kolayal’. With them are (from left) Chandra’s brother-in-law Jeyasingam Thankadurai, sister Arul Jeyaselvi, grandson Shashwath Ganesh and daughter Kavitha Rajasingam. — CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
TAMIL households will be filled with the festive spirit today as families welcome their new year.
Tamil Puthandu (new year) is the first day of the year on the Tamil solar calendar and traditionally celebrated as a festival by Tamils worldwide.
It marks the first day of the Tamil month Chittirai and falls on or about April 14 annually.
For the Ceylonese Tamil community, the day holds deep cultural significance.
It is considered the most important celebration of the year, rich in tradition, symbolic rituals and communal warmth.
Among those marking the occasion will be second-generation Malaysian Ceylonese Santhiramany Sinnathamby, 69, from Sentul, Kuala Lumpur.
Fondly known as Chandra among family members, she said the day centred on new beginnings, prosperity and family gatherings.
The day begins early with family members waking up to a tray prepared with symbols of prosperity such as fruits, gold and money.
A mirror is also placed on the tray as a symbol of abundance.
“Seeing your reflection in a mirror is like starting the new year on a positive and hopeful note,” she explained.
After the symbolic viewing, the family will bathe and dress in new clothes.
Chandra said the home would be adorned with mango leaves hung at the entrance, a tradition that invites positive energy into the household.
“At the doorway, a kumbam – a sacred ceremonial pot filled with water and topped with a coconut and mango leaves – is set up to invoke the blessings of deities.
“A traditional sweet rice dish called pukkai is the first item cooked in the morning and offered at the home altar before the family heads to the temple for prayers,” she said.
Chandra said an elaborate vegetarian feast was an essential part of the day.
“Every Ceylonese Tamil household will prepare at least seven to nine dishes,” she added.
She explained that one of the elders usually carried out an age-old tradition of having kolayal, where rice and curries are mixed together on a large tray and served to everyone.
Visiting family members is also a must this time of the year.
“Loved ones especially should at least come by for a drink, otherwise it is believed that it could lead to friction in the relationship,” she said.
“According to tradition, if someone is unable to visit on new year’s day, the remedy is to visit on another auspicious day.”
Chandra, the third of six siblings, said her parents immigrated to Malaysia from Jaffna in Sri Lanka, in 1949.
Her mother passed down traditional customs that she continues to cherish deeply.
“My late husband Rajasingam Nesaratnam, who was also second-generation Malaysian Ceylonese, and his family were particular about following the traditional customs too.
“We didn’t question these rituals, but I know there is meaning behind them.
“The traditions surrounding this celebration are designed to bring the whole family together in joy and unity.
“I believe in their significance and hope my three daughters and future generation will continue to uphold them,” she said.
Separately, today also marks Vaisakhi, an auspicious day for the Sikh community to commemorate the birth of the Khalsa order more than three centuries ago.
It is also Vishu or Malayalam New Year for the Malayalee community.
