Ponggal clip reunites two old friends in real life

KUALA LUMPUR: Two boys who parted ways are reunited by a mutual Malay friend in a 1Malaysia video clip in conjunction with the cultural harvest festival or Ponggal to be celebrated by the Indian community on Sunday.

The two-minute video clip entitled Friends Forever is based on the concept of Nambikei or trust in Tamil. The two friends, Maniam and Sundram, who last saw each other 60 years ago on Ponggal,  grew up separately as successful agro entrepreneurs in Sekinchan and Cameron Highlands respectively. 

 The public service video clip in a commercial format is being aired on RTM, Astro and Media Prima channels, and is also on YouTube.     

Over the years, padi farmer Maniam would wonder about his childhood friend Sundram and had hopes of meeting him one day.    

 Their lost friendship is renewed when Mardi's agricultural officer Mohd Salleh reunites them on  ponggal  60 years later.     

During the emotional reunion, Maniam and Sundram hug each other and it's a poignant moment for both in the Ponggal festival.     

Maniam shows Sundram the  terracotta horse  he gave him 60 years ago and they all laugh as the festival of Ponggol is celebrated.     

Ponggal is a  harvest festival which signifies thanksgiving to Mother Earth for her natural and bountiful provision of food and sustenance.    

 The short video clip sponsored by the government in the spirit of 1Malaysia displays the importance of instilling trust  in various aspects of life in a multiracial and harmonious Malaysia that we have today.    

The story shows how both men have    raised their children through sheer hard work, perseverance and Mardi's financial and technical assistance in providing technology, machinery, new seedlings and fertiliser. 

   It was a coincidence that two old friends -- journalist M. Krishnamoorthy and K.S. Maniam, had previously worked together in real life at Tenaga Nasional 40 years ago.    

When they were cast for their roles in Friends Forever, it was  an unexpected meeting and a moment of truth for the two colleagues and friends who had in real life not seen each other for more than 40 years