In those days, school textbooks beautifully presented the details

In those days, school textbooks beautifully presented the details of farming, enriched with captivating illustrations that highlighted its vital role in society.

Illustration 1: The farmer diligently plowing the fields with two bullocks, leveraging the air plow to loosen the soil and nurture its fertility.

Illustration 2: Women planting delicate seedlings into the prepared soil, showcasing their dedication and expertise in agriculture.

Illustration 3: The vibrant golden hues of the paddy field reflect its readiness for harvest, marking the culmination of months of hard work.

Illustration 4: As the day begins, farmers work diligently in the fields, harvesting the paddy with skilled precision and determination.

Illustration 5: As the final step of the harvest, the farmers thresh the rice, shaking the grains free from the husks and laying the foundation for the next stage of the journey from field to table.

Illustration 6: The rice, freshly harvested and processed, is now ready for the home-cooked meals that define Tamil culinary traditions. Rice is the foundation of the Tamil food palette, from the everyday comfort of curd rice to the more festive preparations like lemon rice and Pongal, playing a vital role in uniting families around the table.