More than 50,000 people are expected to turn up at Dataran Merdeka to celebrate the Ponggal Unity Festival on Feb 2, said MIC vice-president M Saravanan.

He said the event would be held from 6pm to 8.30pm.

Saravanan, who is also Deputy Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister, said various traditional performances would be presented by Indian and local artistes.

“This festival is a very good opportunity for us to further strengthen unity, relations and harmony, among the Indian communities of different ethnicity through their unique local customs and traditions,” he told reporters after launching a special song in conjunction with the festival in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

He said the festival organised by the MIC with the cooperation of the Federal Territory Indian Development Foundation would be broadcast live for two hours through Astro’s channel 201, beginning at 8.30pm.

According to him, the festival would end with a float parade to reflect the various Indian ethnic communities, and also a fireworks display.

He said the special song was composed by Senni Naina Mohamed and music arranged by RPS Maju, and would be sung by local artistes.

- Bernama