Tamil New Year is to Begin on January 14, Instead of April 14

What happens today becomes the history of tomorrow. But the recent announcement made by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Mr.M.Karunanithi, making the First Day of the Tamil month 'Thai' as the beginning of the Tamil New Year is unique and special for more than one reason.

It spells out a marked departure from the hitherto known and traditional practice of celebrating the First Day of the Tamil month 'Chithirai' as the Tamil New Year. Chithirai is the first month of Tamil New Year which falls on April 14 in the Gregorian calendar and it generally connotes the beginning of the summer season. Schools and colleges usually announce their summer holidays during the month of Chithirai. Otherwise, nothing significant or spectacular about the month of Chithirai The traditional Tamil New Year beginning on the First Day of Chithirai, is followed by the Tamil months Vaikasi, Ani, Adi, Avani, Purattasi, Aippasi, Karthigai, Margazi, Thai, Masi and Panguni.

But the recent decision of the Tamil Nadu Government to announce the First Day of Thai that falls on January 14, as the beginning of Tamil New Year has many valid reasons and it is logical too.The First Day of the Tamil month Thai, is celebrated as 'Makar Sankaranthi' and marks the beginning of a week long Pongal festival and especially the first day of the month of Thai is also known as 'Uzavar Thirunal'.The Pongal festival is the harvest festival virtually celebrated as the 'Thanks Giving Ceremony' by the Tamil people, for all the gods that had helped them to have a good harvest. Prior to the onset of Pongal festival, 'Bogi' falls on the last day of the Tamil month Margazi.

On the day of 'Bogi', Tamil people especially in the villages, used to heap the old, worn out and unwanted things and set them ablaze, which is known as 'Bogi Moottam' It also symbolically shows the culmination of old, outdated era, heralding a new beginning.On the First Day of Thai, the main pongal festival is celebrated on which Thanksgiving is done to the Sun God, who is instrumental in their agriculture and harvest. The second day is celebrated as 'Mattu Pongal', for thanks giving to the cattle which have helped the Tamil people in their agricultural ventures. The third day is celebrated as 'Kanum Pongal', to pay respect to the elders. Thus the Pongal festival is celebrated so meaningfully supported by reasoning and logic. It is more or less on the lines of traditional Chinese New Year.

Therefore, the announcement of the First Day of the Tamil month 'Thai'as the beginning of the Tamil New Year is befitting and meaningful.Henceforth, the Tamil New Year will have twelve Tamil months in the following order: Thai, Masi, Panguni, Chithirai, Vaikasi, Ani, Adi, Avani, Purattasi, Aippasi, Karthigai and Margazi.

Tamil people will now celebrate three New Years:1) On January First, according to the Gregorian calendar, 2) On the First Day of the month of Thai, as the New Tamil Year that falls on January 14 th and on 3) the First Day of Chithirai as the traditional Tamil New Year, that falls on April 14 th.Therefore, the Tamil Nadu Government is making history in a New (Year) way !!

Sources:

1)The Hindu (daily)

2)Deccan Chronicle (daily)