Tamil New Year marks the beginning of Chithirai Month, the very 1st month of the Tamil Solar Calendar and it marks the onset of the new calendar year. Most of the time, the Tamil new year falls on 14th April every year. Tamil New Year is also called as Tamil Puthandu or Tamil Varusha Pirappu or Chithirai Thiruvizha.
Tamil New year is celebrated with immense enthusiasm and fervor in Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and also in places away from India where significant Tamil population is present like Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Mauritius, etc. This particular day is also a common celebration for other communities with different names, like in Kerala it is celebrated as Vishu, in Orissa as Pana Sankranti, in West Bengal as Pohela Boishakh, in Assam as Bohag Bihu, in Punjab as Baisakhi, etc.
Tamil New Year is a day of feasting and revelry in Tamil Nadu. Symbolizing a new dawn, Tamil New Year symbolizes hope and rejuvenation, inspiring people to embrace fresh beginnings and embark on auspicious ventures. People pray to the Almighty for good health, fortune, justice, and happiness on this day.It is often thought to be a good day to launch a new company or plan.
For our Tamil New Year event this year, we have few important guests/performers are joining in.
- Ms. Eesha (Jin Shan Shan) & her daughter Jessica Wu, from Beijing to perform Bharatanatyam, a classical dance from Tamil Nadu.
- Ms. Lulu Wang & her students, from Shanghai to perform Kuchipudi, a classical dance from Andhra Pradesh.
So, we are showcasing 2 of 6 classical dances of India (Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Kathakali, Odissi, Manipuri), to our wonderful audiences/guests of Shanghai and nearby provinces.
On top of it, this year for the very 1st time, we are bringing in 2 playback singers (Mr. MLR Karthikeyan & Mrs. Amrutaa) from Chennai for a 2-hour music performance. They are multi-lingual, able to sing Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi songs.
Apart from the above said performances, we have arranged for student and kids' performances.
We have planned for a house packed event of about 5hours on 13th Apr 2025 afternoon between 3.00pm to 8.00pm. By end of the event, we planned to provide gifts & souvenirs to the performers. And with the final group photo, we will move onto the dinner.
Coming to the dinner buffet, we are working on a mouth watering South Indian menu exclusively for the Tamil New Year. Food & beverages will be arranged by Indian Kitchen Siva and their team.
Shanghai Sangamam:
Shanghai Sangamam, is a South Indian association formed in Shanghai way back in 2004 - April 14, 2004. This is the day when we welcome the arrival of Spring season and celebrating Tamil New Year too. The aim to form the association was two-fold: to provide a platform for like-minded individuals and families to come together and do something positive to the community as well as help and address the needs of the newcomers and the Indian Citizens in Shanghai and nearby provinces, so that they can have a moral support and make themselves feel home.
We have a diverse team at Shanghai Sangamam who are expats from India, including professionals, small businessmen, local employees and our lovely Indian women.
Though basically a cultural organization that has brought people together on many occasions, especially Pongal, Tamil New Year, Vinayagar Chathurthi, Deepavali, etc., Shanghai Sangamam does not believe in limiting its approach.
It also supported natural relief funds at emergencies, supplied pulse oximeters & oxygen concentrators to Red Cross, Chennai during COVID andgiven helping hands for college studentsat China when they are in distress as well as sponsored the needed student's educations in India through few reliable charity organizations.
Through its various programs, the association also ensures that Indian children, who are brought up in Shanghai, do not get deprived of their culture and tradition. The cultural programs during Tamil New Year and Deepavali festivals give these kids a chance to display their talents via songs, performances, dances and other activities and bring out their “Indianness”.
2025 Tamil New Year is very special for Shanghai Sangamam, as it is completing 20th Year and moving on to its 21st year. We are very grateful that we are able to support and contribute to our community members in Shanghai and nearby places for the past 20years. We can't thank enough to our supporters, volunteers, community members and of course, our Consulate General of India, Shanghai for being with us throughout these years.
- Our Overseas Reporter Dr.Mei.Chitra