Watch: Viswanathan Anand, D Gukesh, and chess champions dance at Pongal breakfast, video goes viral

Indian chess legends came together for a delightful Pongal celebration, and a video of the event is now taking social media by storm.

On Sunday, January 12, five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand hosted an intimate gathering at his home. Pongal, celebrated primarily in Tamil Nadu, marks the beginning of the Tamil month Thai and is observed from January 14 to 17.

Reigning World Champion D Gukesh, along with R Praggnanandhaa, Vidit Gujrathi, and Sagar Shah, joined Anand for a festive breakfast filled with laughter and tradition.

The menu featured classic Pongal dishes like Panagam, Mangalore boli, Akkaravadisel, and Idly.

But the real highlight came when the chess stars, all sporting traditional veshtis, surprised everyone with their dance moves to the popular song "Manasilaayo."

Despite initial hesitation, the young prodigies, including Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa, followed Anand's lead, showcasing their playful side alongside their mentor.

The gathering beautifully blended Indian heritage, modern fun, and a shared passion for chess, underscoring the strong bond within the chess community.

Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa, both alumni of Anand's WestBridge Anand Chess Academy (WACA), joined their mentor for the celebration. WACA, founded to nurture young chess talent, provides opportunities for rising stars to learn from the best.

As Gukesh prepares to receive the Khel Ratna award for his World Championship win, this Pongal celebration highlighted both the cultural roots of the festival and the close-knit bond within India's chess community.