Thai Pongal Celebration – Western Tamil Senior Club Victoria (WTSC) – 14 March 2026 – Written by Logan Nathan
For more photos please visit eLanka Facebook page – Click here
The Western Tamil Senior Club Victoria (WTSC) proudly hosted a vibrant Thai Pongal Celebration on Saturday, 14 March 2026 at the Burnside Community Hall, Victoria, bringing together members of the multicultural community to experience the beauty and meaning of one of the most cherished Tamil harvest festivals.
The evening began on a special note with the Pongal theme song, written and composed by the MC Logan Nathan using AI technology, which was played to open the celebration.
The song set the tone for the evening—celebrating gratitude, culture, and community.
Following the opening, WTSC President Nada Kulendran, together with key committee members Sakthi and Selvi, presented a meaningful introduction to the significance of Thai Pongal. Through a short video presentation and a beautifully arranged mock display, they demonstrated how Pongal is traditionally celebrated in Tamil homes in their homeland. This segment was specially designed for the multicultural audience, helping them understand the cultural depth of the festival. Judging by the warm feedback from attendees, this educational introduction was greatly appreciated.
The celebration then moved into a rich cultural showcase featuring Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam dance performances by talented students from several prominent schools across Melbourne. Many of these young performers were born and raised in Australia, some beginning their training as young as five years old. Their remarkable performances were a testament to the dedication of both the schools and the parents who tirelessly work to pass on the rich heritage of South Asian culture to the next generation. It was also a wonderful opportunity for the wider community to experience traditions that trace back centuries.
The event was honoured by the presence of two distinguished guests:
Mayor Lara Carli from the City of Melton Council and Sri Lankan Consul General Pratheepan Saram, whose attendance highlighted the importance of cultural celebrations in strengthening community bonds.
All attended were also treated to traditional food starters followed by a delicious vegetarian dinner, allowing everyone to enjoy authentic South Asian flavours alongside the symbolic Pongal dish.
The evening concluded on a joyful note as many attendees took to the floor for singing and dancing, celebrating together in a spirit of unity and happiness until the event wrapped up around 10:00 PM.
This four-hour celebration was truly memorable for all who attended. A heartfelt appreciation goes to the dedicated WTSC committee members who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to organise such a meaningful event for the multicultural community.
As the MC for the evening, I personally enjoyed every moment and will cherish this special celebration for years to come.
I have compiled a video to capture the essence of evening and also attached all the pictures taken by myself and Yoga Satgunam. Others feel free to add your collection to this album, which will remain as a memory all of us recollect anytime in the future 👇
Thank you Logan Nathan 🙏🙏🙏
For more photos please visit eLanka Facebook page – Click here
