Mattu Pongal: When cows set the mood

CHENNAI: Multiplicity runs in our blood. Look at our names — there’s one for the records, another homegrown one that can turn painfully embarrassing when outgrown, and one coined by friends, often determined by one’s attributes, physical appearances or simply based on that one incident that stays on to define you for an entire lifetime. In Tamil Nadu, the third day of Pongal is called Mattu Pongal, a day to honour and worship our cattle for their contribution to our farming practices. The Egyptians gave the form of cattle to many of their gods and their art featured cows and bulls repeatedly. A painting by Chinese artist Li Keran implies the Zen tradition of the Ox being a metaphor for the mind and cows in art symbolised control over the self.