PALARPATTI (THENI)
While people in other parts of the district offered Pongal to the Sun God on Sunday, John Pennycuick, the British Engineer who constructed Mullaperiyar dam to irrigate lands in five southern districts of the State, became the worshipping deity for thousands of people, mostly farmers, living at several villages in Bodi and Thevaram blocks in the Cumbum valley on Monday, his birth anniversary.
The people of Palarpatti offered ‘ mass pongal’ to the portrait of Pennycuick and took out a procession at the village. After one and a half decades, this year’s Pongal celebrations became all the more important for the villagers as they had a relative of Pennycuick and her friends as their guests.
“It was a second honour to our village. On November 7, 2003, John, a great grandson of Pennycuick, visited our village,” said O. Andi, a farmer of Palarpatti.
This time, the villagers received Diana, a granddaughter of Charles, brother of Pennycuick, and her team comprising Susan, Sharon and Zane, he said.
The village wore a festive look and the function venue was decorated with festoons. A big portrait of Pennycuick was erected on the ground, where farmers and women from 20 villages assembled and started preparing ‘mass pongal’ to offer it to Pennycuick. The guests joined the local people in the celebrations.
Later, thevarattam , a form of folk dance, was performed. Ms. Diana and her team joined the artistes in the dance.
Interacting with the hosts, Ms. Diana said her mother, who died a year ago, asked her to visit the dam. It was a great occasion, she added.
Earlier, a rousing welcome was accorded to her. Women and children, who stood on both side of the main street, showered flowers on her and her team. Later, the guests were taken in a procession to the function venue.
Palarpatti residents celebrated Pongal in their homes on Sunday, and prepared ‘mass pongal’ on Monday, Mr. Andi said.
Representatives of farmers’ associations in Uppukottai, Surulipatti, Cumbum, Uthupatti, Royappanpatti, Uthamapalayam and Chinnamanur took part in the celebrations.
Palarpatti was once on the list of ‘notorious villages’ prepared up by the police. But its present residents included mostly farm owners and young graduates. Now, the village has lush green fields. The man behind this social and economic transformation was Pennycuick, the villagers said.
