Kuala lumpur: Ponggal, the traditional Tamil harvest festival, is seeing a resurgence in the demand for clay pots, which play a crucial role in the celebration. The festival, known for expressing gratitude to nature and the sun, involves the preparation of sweet rice in these traditional earthenware pots, representing cultural continuity and age-old culinary practices.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Reguraj Devaraj, a fifth-generation potter, highlights the significance of clay pots not only for their culinary benefits but also for their cultural value. He notes that food cooked in clay pots is not only tastier but also more nutritious compared to modern utensils like aluminium or steel. The practice of using clay pots, he explains, has been a part of his family for over 120 years.

Reguraj shares that the demand for clay pots spikes every year as Ponggal approaches, with small pots for one to two cups of rice being particularly popular. He reports that sales can range from 10,000 to 25,000 units, sometimes reaching up to 30,000, with prices between RM6 and RM40 depending on the pot's size and clay type.

The pot-making process is intricate and time-consuming, requiring high-quality clay and several stages of preparation and firing. Reguraj emphasizes the challenge of sourcing suitable clay, which must be strong and well-structured to produce quality pots. Despite these challenges, he is committed to preserving this heritage craft and even offers workshops to teach young people the art of traditional pot-making.

As one of the last traditional clay pot makers in the northern region, Reguraj employs nine workers and serves a wide customer base across Malaysia. He views clay pots as more than mere utensils, considering them symbols of cultural heritage and identity. The Tamil community is set to celebrate Ponggal on January 15, marking the start of the Tamil month of Thai.