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**Gometesstem** · 08-27-2011, 03:19 PM

Tamil New Year will once again be observed on Chithirai 1, as has been done traditionally, from next year instead of Thai 1 as altered by the erstwhile DMK government in 2008.
The Jayalalithaa government on Tuesday reversed the previous government’s order on shifting Tamil New Year to Thai (January) from Chithirai (April). A bill to repeal the Tamil Nadu Tamil New Year (Declaration) Act, 2008, was passed in the Assembly in the absence of the DMK which is boycotting the proceedings.

It was presented by Hindu religious and charitable endowments minister S.P. Shanmuganathan even as the Left parties opposed the decision.

Slamming the then DMK government for “disregarding the sentiments and opinions” of the people, chief minister J. Jayalalithaa said former chief minister M.Karunanidhi sought to gain publicity through the move. “It does not benefit the people but hurts their sentiments,” she said, and charged that Mr Karunanidhi created an impression that he “alone had concern for Tamil and the Tamils. The then government had failed to reply to former Communist legislator N.Nanmaran who sought the reasons for changing the dates.” Earlier, justifying the government decision on the New Year, Mr.Shanmuganathan said the public, archaeological experts, pundits, astronomy exponents and scholars have opined that the DMK government’s 2008 Act was against the customary practice of celebrating the first day of the Tamil month Chithirai as Tamil New Year. The Act also caused practical difficulties, resistance and opposition amongst the public.

Opposing the bill at the introduction stage, MLAs A.Soundararajan, CPI(M), and Su.Guasekaran, CPI, demanded that Speaker D. Jayakumar refer the bill to the standing committee. It was taken up for discussion after finance minister and Leader of the House O.Panneerselvam moved a resolution. But, despite the Act, people had continued to throng temples on Chithirai 1 and celebrated it as Tamil New Year day.

Bill passed A bill to repeal the Tamil Nadu Tamil New Year (Declaration) Act, 2008, was passed in the Assembly in the absence of the DMK

Some background information on how Chithirai 1 came to be selected as Tamil New Year's day by the ancient Tamils is found here: Why Chiththirai?

Excerpts:

Chiththirai 1 or Thai 1?

Both days have significance in astronomy as per the solar calendar. They are reckoned by calculating the entry of the Sun into the mathematical points or beginnings of the zodiacal signs of Aries and Capricorn respectively, according to the Fixed Zodiac system of all traditional almanacs.

Chiththirai New Year, marks the entry of the Sun into Aries (Mesha Rasi). The first point of Aries is recognised as the beginning point of the zodiac in the ancient astronomy of the civilisations of both East and West. The entry of the Sun into the Aries marks the beginning of spring.

The day celebrated as Thaipongal marks the entry of the Sun into the first point of Capricorn (Makara Rasi). The first degree of Capricorn is the 271st degree of the zodiac and entry of the Sun into it marks the transit of the Sun from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere of the earth ( uththirayanam - உத்திராயணம்).

Ramani

08-27-2011, 03:19 PM	#2
Gometesstem Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 505 Senior Member	Tamil New Year will once again be observed on Chithirai 1, as has been done traditionally, from next year instead of Thai 1 as altered by the erstwhile DMK government in 2008. The Jayalalithaa government on Tuesday reversed the previous government’s order on shifting Tamil New Year to Thai (January) from Chithirai (April). A bill to repeal the Tamil Nadu Tamil New Year (Declaration) Act, 2008, was passed in the Assembly in the absence of the DMK which is boycotting the proceedings. It was presented by Hindu religious and charitable endowments minister S.P. Shanmuganathan even as the Left parties opposed the decision. Slamming the then DMK government for “disregarding the sentiments and opinions” of the people, chief minister J. Jayalalithaa said former chief minister M.Karunanidhi sought to gain publicity through the move. “It does not benefit the people but hurts their sentiments,” she said, and charged that Mr Karunanidhi created an impression that he “alone had concern for Tamil and the Tamils. The then government had failed to reply to former Communist legislator N.Nanmaran who sought the reasons for changing the dates.” Earlier, justifying the government decision on the New Year, Mr.Shanmuganathan said the public, archaeological experts, pundits, astronomy exponents and scholars have opined that the DMK government’s 2008 Act was against the customary practice of celebrating the first day of the Tamil month Chithirai as Tamil New Year. The Act also caused practical difficulties, resistance and opposition amongst the public. Opposing the bill at the introduction stage, MLAs A.Soundararajan, CPI(M), and Su.Guasekaran, CPI, demanded that Speaker D. Jayakumar refer the bill to the standing committee. It was taken up for discussion after finance minister and Leader of the House O.Panneerselvam moved a resolution. But, despite the Act, people had continued to throng temples on Chithirai 1 and celebrated it as Tamil New Year day. Bill passed A bill to repeal the Tamil Nadu Tamil New Year (Declaration) Act, 2008, was passed in the Assembly in the absence of the DMK Some background information on how Chithirai 1 came to be selected as Tamil New Year's day by the ancient Tamils is found here: Why Chiththirai? Excerpts: Chiththirai 1 or Thai 1? Both days have significance in astronomy as per the solar calendar. They are reckoned by calculating the entry of the Sun into the mathematical points or beginnings of the zodiacal signs of Aries and Capricorn respectively, according to the Fixed Zodiac system of all traditional almanacs. Chiththirai New Year, marks the entry of the Sun into Aries (Mesha Rasi). The first point of Aries is recognised as the beginning point of the zodiac in the ancient astronomy of the civilisations of both East and West. The entry of the Sun into the Aries marks the beginning of spring. The day celebrated as Thaipongal marks the entry of the Sun into the first point of Capricorn (Makara Rasi). The first degree of Capricorn is the 271st degree of the zodiac and entry of the Sun into it marks the transit of the Sun from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere of the earth ( uththirayanam - உத்திராயணம்). Ramani
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