The Makar Sankranthi festival /ToNE Namma Ooru Pongal-2025 event held on 18 Jan 2025 in Bradford. This event was organised by ToNE- Tamils of North East and supported by Bradford Hindu culture.It was a vibrant celebration of Tamil culture, showcasing traditional folk dances like Oilatam, Karagatam, Mailattam,Kolatam,Paraiatam and Kavadiattam, all deeply rooted in the customs of Tamil Nadu and symbolizing the joy of harvest festivals. The event also featured exciting competitions and traditional games such as Uriyadi, Rangoli, Kabaddi, and a Pongal pot crafting activity for children, where kids created colorful paper pots that beautifully reflected the cultural significance of Pongal. The Kabaddi tournament was a major highlight, with teen arriving well-prepared and displaying great enthusiasm, bringing an electrifying energy to the matches and fostering camaraderie, teamwork, and community spirit.
In addition to the traditional competitions, a historic first ever performance of Kummi,kalari & Villu paatu in a new format, which added to the event’s cultural richness.
The event was a perfect blend of creativity, athleticism, and cultural heritage, bringing together people of all ages to participate in and celebrate these time-honored traditions. From the colorful Rangoli designs to the intensity of Kabaddi matches, and the joyful spirit of the Pongal pot crafting, the ToNE- Namma Ooru Pongal event successfully created an atmosphere of cultural pride, community bonding, and festive joy.

















