Leeds Tamil community celebrates Pongal with Lord Mayor at Blackburn Hall
More than 200 Tamil families from Leeds and across Yorkshire came together on January 18 to celebrate Pongal, the traditional Tamil harvest festival, at Leeds Blackburn Hall.
The cultural community celebration was honoured by the presence of the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Dan Cohen, accompanied by the Lady Mayoress, Mrs Elayna Cohen. Their attendance marked a significant moment of civic recognition for the local Tamil community and its cultural traditions
The event was organised by Yorkshire Snegethis, a Yorkshire-based women’s organisation focused on supporting and empowering women in family life and professional development.
The celebration aimed to bring families together while promoting cultural understanding and community cohesion within the city.
A spokesperson said: "Pongal is one of the most important festivals in Tamil culture, centred on gratitude to nature, family, and society.
"The Leeds celebration featured traditional Pongal food alongside a vibrant programme of cultural performances by children and adults, including classical and folk dance, music, and instrumental pieces."
During the visit, the Lord Mayor addressed the audience, praising the warmth of the community, the high standard of the performances, and the importance of cultural events in strengthening Leeds’ diverse social fabric.
The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress also met families and children, taking part in photo opportunities that captured the spirit of joy and togetherness throughout the evening.
Organisers described the event as a great success, with overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees, who highlighted the welcoming atmosphere, strong sense of community, and pride in sharing Tamil culture within Leeds.
The spokesperson added: "The celebration reflected Leeds’ ongoing commitment to inclusion, diversity, and the recognition of cultural communities as an integral part of city life."