This year, ‘IHC Pongal Open House’ welcomed everyone to join in the festivities with an exciting array of programmes on 7 and 8, 14 and 15 January 2023.
Themed Farm-tastic, this year’s open house took visitors back to the festival’s agricultural roots. The Little India Heritage Trail – Pongal Edition gave visitors a taste of the early days of the precinct when it was bustling with cattle and bullock carts. This was an apt introduction to the significance of cattle in the festival.
Pongal Cooking Workshop
For nature-lovers, the Kranji Farm Tour offered a hands-on experience in the art of jaggery (unrefined cane sugar) making and thoranam (hanging decorations) weaving. Participants also got to fill their stomachs with a unique Farm-to-Table Dining Experience, or immerse in the festivities by learning how to make pongal the traditional way at the Pongal Cooking Workshop.
Kolam making
Adding to the colour in the Little India precinct, IHC entered the Singapore Book of Records by making the biggest and longest kolam. Visitors to IHC let their creativity
flow with a series of free craft activities that included personalised kolam designs and cow fridge magnets. IHC’s special Pongal backdrop was also perfect for a photo moment with family and friends (photos were printed instantly!) or to post on social media!
Other Pongal-themed programmes included storytelling sessions, live pottery demonstrations, street performances, and guided tours of IHC.
Article and Photo Source:
Indian Heritage Centre’s Press Release