Right from calling the language Tamil as “Saniyan”, comparing Thirukkural to ‘faeces’, and denouncing Hindu festivals, EV Ramasamy Naicker, the Dravidianist ideologue targeted Pongal in one of his articles.
In a 1931 article penned under the pseudonym “Screw Loose,” EVR, hailed as Periyar by his followers, abused the Pongal festival, lambasting it as a wasteful and harmful tradition. His sharp words questioned the utility and rationale of the celebrations, highlighting their perceived economic, social, and health-related downsides.
EVR began by addressing the financial burden of Pongal, lamenting how people unnecessarily spend money on new clothes and lavish gifts, often sending them to in-laws and relatives. He argued that the festival encouraged frivolous expenditure, which could exacerbate financial struggles for many families.
He expressed particular disdain for the cultural practices surrounding Pongal, such as preparing sweet and savory dishes that, he claimed, were often overindulged in by poorer families. According to him, this led to illnesses and increased hospital visits, creating additional costs. He also pointed out the social implications of customs where service providers like washermen, barbers, and manual scavengers would visit homes, asking for rice as part of Pongal traditions.
Full text: “What can I say about the “demonstrations” that happen during Pongal? Many will buy new clothes and wear them! Many will send them to their in-laws’ homes too! The costs of all this is high. Among these are the many frustrations caused due to the expenditure in giving away such gifts to each other’s relatives. There is a feast everywhere, sweet Pongal is different from the savoury Pongal. It is different for poor families who keep this Pongal for two or three days and fall sick. On the occasion of the Pongal festival, ‘Vannan‘, ‘Ambattan‘, ‘Thotti‘, and other servants wander from house to house begging for rice. Thus Pongal festival creates problems in many ways. To add to this, the hospital expenditure also increases. It is a nuisance for doctors. Oh, father! What a nuisance! Look at the destruction Pongal creates. This type of “Saniyan” in the month of Margazhi leaves the people confused in many ways. What a pity! How much our people are suffering because of superstition and blindness. Think about it all. These are useless things; They will not be interpreted as vain things. What will happen if these are not conducted? Will the earth tremble and will we all go to the underworld? Will the sea come crashing down? Nothing.”
Petition to Seeman to keep the Bhogi spirit alive by rekindling fiery interest in what EVR had to say about Pongal.
"Pongal Celebrations are a nuisance.
Not just for humans, but even for bulls.Ppl are wastefully spending money to buy new dress.
What will happen if we do not… pic.twitter.com/FWdOfwW3R1— Tamil Labs 2.0 (@labstamil) January 13, 2025
His critique extended beyond economic and physical concerns to what he perceived as the festival’s contribution to societal “blindness” and superstition.
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.