K Sivasuthan remembers when Thai Pongal in Melbourne started as a small gathering in the outer south-eastern suburbs at Balla Balla Community Centre, Cranbourne, back in 2011.
As the years passed, a simple realisation took root: this could be something much bigger. It could become a united effort for the entire Tamil community—not just to celebrate, but to proudly showcase their identity and the rich variety of their art forms.
“This is one of the longest surviving civilisations in the world,” Sivasuthan says. “We have something to share.”
A turning point came in 2019, when local Tamil groups formally united. They renamed the event Tamil Festival Australia and moved it to a central location, reflecting a community now spread “in all four directions” of the city.
Melbourne’s Tamil community is remarkably diverse, with roots in Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa, and beyond. Its members follow different faiths such as Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, but the festival brings them all together.
When COVID-19 arrived, the festival adapted without stopping. “We built a virtual platform,” says Sivasuthan. “People could still ‘enter’ online and feel part of the celebration.”
Now, the festival has grown into a major multicultural event. In fact, it has grown to become the largest Thai Pongal celebration in Australia, says Sivasuthan. Its importance to Victoria has been recognised with state government funding—$100,000 annually from 2024 through 2027. Last year, around 7,000 people attended.
This year, the festival will bring colour, music, and flavour to Event Central at Caribbean Park in Scoresby on Sunday, January 25th, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
It’s a celebration of Thai Pongal, Tamil Heritage Month, respect for nature, and Australia’s cultural diversity. “This is a festival for everyone,” Sivasuthan says. “It’s about sharing our heritage and creating a space for intercultural appreciation.”
That’s why, alongside Tamil performances, this year’s festival will also feature Chinese cultural artists, highlighting the universal themes of harvest and thanksgiving. “These traditions connect us,” he adds. “Bringing them together creates space to mingle and celebrate what we share.”
Sivasuthan’s journey mirrors the festival’s growth. He migrated from Sri Lanka in 2005 and, like many parents, became involved through his children’s Tamil language school. Starting as a volunteer, he later helped launch community projects and co-founded the Casey Tamil Manram group. Though the festival began as its initiative, it’s now a collective effort, with around 25 Tamil community organisations involved since 2020.
At the heart of the festival will be the Community Pongal ritual, where families will cook sweet rice in clay pots as an offering of thanks. Attendees can also browse over 70 food and craft stalls, try traditional sports, or join workshops in making garlands or kolam, intricate rice flour art drawn on the ground.
The day will also feature friendly, non-competitive games like tug-of-war and sadakudu (kabaddi), which have been taught to kids in suburbs like Berwick and Dandenong in the weeks leading up to the event. “There are no champions, every participant is encouraged,” Sivasuthan says.
Later, a live music show with singers from India and Sri Lanka will add a concert atmosphere to the afternoon.
The festival’s name itself holds meaning. Thai is the Tamil calendar’s first month. Pongal means “to overflow”—symbolising abundance and joy. “It represents overflowing with gratitude,” Sivasuthan explains.
This idea has inspired local Tamil groups to frame January as Tamil Heritage Month, organising events throughout the month since 2019. Sivasuthan points to Canada, where January is officially proclaimed as Tamil Heritage Month, as a model. “In Australia, we’re working toward that recognition, too,” he says.
Ultimately, the festival shows that recognition for migrant communities isn’t just given—it’s built from within, through persistence, unity, and the simple choice to keep celebrating.
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