DRAVIDA THAMBI Chennai In the 16th century, the introduction of the Gregorian Calendar in France shifting the New Year from April 1 to January 1 heralded the All Fools Day.
In 21st century Tamil Nadu, a battle between arch political
rivals has resulted in the Tamil New Year being kicked around like a football.
Traditionally, the Tamil New Year was celebrated on the first day of the Tamil month alt39 Chithiraialt39 which falls in mid- April ( mostly April 14 and during leap year on April 13).
However, in 2008, the then Chief Minister M Karunanidhi by an order declared that the first day of the alt39 Thaialt39 month in mid- January will be celebrated as the Tamil New Year coinciding with Pongal ( Sankranthi), the festival of harvest.
Karunanidhis argument was that scholars had determined that alt39 Thaialt39 was the first month in the Tamil calendar and not alt39 Chithiraialt39. He even accused the Aryans of having a role in shifting the Tamil New Year to alt39 Chithiraialt39 month.
But his arch- rival and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa promptly changed the Tamil New Year to mid- April soon after returning to power. She accused Karunanidhi of changing the New Year for the sake of self- publicity.
” From time immemorial the custom is that the first day of alt39 Chithiraialt39 is celebrated as the Tamil New Year. No one has benefited from the ( DMK) legislation changing the New Year. Instead, it had hurt the sentiments of the people,” she said adding that ” Peoples faith cannot be changed through laws.”
