The warmth of Thai Pongal, a harvest festival rooted in gratitude, renewal and hope, filled the halls of Number 10 Downing Street on Friday, 16 January, as the Prime Minister’s welcomed the community for a special reception celebrating Britain’s Tamil community. For the second year running since Labour entered office, Pongal was marked at the heart of government, signalling both recognition and belonging.
Hosted by Communities Secretary Steve Reed alongside Labour MP Uma Kumaran, the first British Tamil Member of Parliament, the evening brought together British Tamil elected representatives, community leaders and pioneers from across entertainment, academia, business and public service. Their presence reflected the depth and diversity of Tamil contributions to life in Britain, built over generations.
Number 10 was transformed for the occasion, decorated with sugarcane, banana leaves, flowers and lamps, echoing the traditions of Thai Pongal. Guests were also treated to a performance by Chiinthu Sarvan’s Team Annam, adding rhythm and colour to the evening’s celebrations.
Speaking at the reception, Steve Reed, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, said he was “absolutely delighted” to welcome Britain’s Tamil community to Downing Street. Drawing on years of celebrating Pongal in his Croydon constituency, he described the festival as a time for families and friends to come together, exchange food and gifts, and celebrate as “one big, vibrant community”.
He said, “Tamil culture is incredibly ancient. It goes back much further than our British culture does, so it's incredible for those of us who are not Tamil to be able to share and celebrate with you. One small aspect of such a rich and beautiful culture. So thank you for sharing it with us.
“I know that we've said we've faced challenges communities as well. We're here today to celebrate, but we have seen increases in our country and the Tamil community won't be immune from it – the increases in hate crime, and I just want to reaffirm this government's commitments to building mutual respect.
“What is great about this country is its diversity. The fact that there are so many of us from so many different heritages, that all come here and live together and share what is the best of our own cultural backgrounds with each other.
“That enriches all of our lives, and it makes all of our lives better so. It's so important that we maintain our resolve to build a country where every community can live in dignity, in respect, in peace, with alongside celebrating each other's backgrounds as well.”
The Communities Secretary also paid tribute to Tamil communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah last November in Sri Lanka and India, recognising the personal ties many British Tamils have to the regions impacted.
Highlighting the contribution of British Tamils to national life, Reed said, “I had no idea we had that many Tamil doctors in the UK as well, that's an incredible achievement. But in so many areas where I'm going around my constituency or elsewhere, so many businesses, education, the arts, politics. It's such a big contribution. And we all benefit from our British talent community making such a contribution to our shared story as a country.
“I want to thank as well - the many community and voluntary organisations - many of them will be represented here as well - for the work that you do to support the community and I look forward to the rest of this evening to speaking with some of you and hearing your own stories and about what's brought you here.
“But may I wish all of you a very, very happy Pongal, may bring your families joy and prosperity and thank you for coming today to No 10, the home of the Prime Minister, the home of British government and your home as well as well.”
Uma Kumaran, Labour MP for Stratford and Bow, said, “The success of the British Tamil community exemplifies the promise of modern Britain, and the resilience and determination of the Tamil diaspora.
“My parents rebuilt their lives here in the UK, working hard to provide me the opportunities that were torn away from them in their country of birth. It’s a story that is familiar to Tamils right across London, Britain, and beyond.
“That’s why I am so proud that, to honour Tamil Heritage Month, the Prime Minister has opened up Number 10 Downing Street to the next generation of Tamil changemakers and creative story tellers.
“Thai Pongal is a celebration of our ancient cultural traditions of harvest festival. But, we also have a saying in Tamil - Thai piranthal vali perukuam – which symbolises hope, renewal and ambition for change for the year ahead. That is what is being celebrated by our Labour government here today, and it is in that spirit we approach the New Year together.”
In attendance at the reception were community members, including Sanam Arora, Chair of NISAU; Uday Nagaraju, recently nominated to the House of Lords; and Pratik Dattani, Managing Director of EPG.
Reflecting on the event, Pratik said, "The Tamil community has made a strong impact across the UK- in business, politics, television, and beyond. This reception demonstrated Number 10’s commitment to recognising and celebrating such diverse contributions.
"While guest lists for more established Downing Street events, such as Diwali, have in recent years often overlooked top UK-India change-makers, particularly in business, it was encouraging to see a focus on community groups from the Tamil, Telugu, and other South Indian communities at the Pongal celebrations.
"The event also included invitations for community-focused social media influencers, rather than solely the most established Tamil influencers in the UK, who are typically in the arts or journalism. This approach reflected a broader and more inclusive engagement with the community."
