Culture & Community

Culture & Community

Latest news from and about the homeland

Following his recent hit, 2023’s ‘Mark Antony,’ Adhik Ravichandran returns to the screen having teamed up with his idol Ajith Kumar for ‘Good Bad Ugly.’ Fanboy cinema has yielded interesting results for the industry recently: Karthik Subbaraj collaborated with Rajinikanth for 2019’s ‘Petta’ and Lokesh Kanagaraj worked with his idol Kamal Haasan for 2022’s ‘Vikram.’ These films are primarily…

British Tamil teenager makes history with debut for England cricket team

British Tamil teenager Amuruthaa Surenkumar made history as the first professional Tamil cricketer to represent the English national team last week, making her debut in an under-19 match against Sri Lanka.

30 years of Mega Maalai - Imperial College London’s Tamil Society celebrates flagship event

Imperial College London’s Tamil Society celebrated the 30th anniversary of Mega Maalai, Europes's largest annual Tamil student-led cultural showcase.

The showcase was held earlier this month at the ExCel London, their largest venue to date, and with over 300 performers, the event has reached unprecedented heights, delivering a spectacle of dance, music and fashion.

Trincomalee Kali temple celebrates annual chariot festival

The Trincomalee Pathirakali Ambal Temple chariot festival, held on March 23, 2024, witnessed an overwhelming turnout of devotees, marking yet another successful year for the event.

The highlight of the event unfolded at 8:00 am when Amman graced the ceremonial Chariot, escorted by her sons Pillaiyaar and Murugan.

British Tamil youth celebrate International Women’s Day

British Tamil youth gathered on the eve of International Women’s Day to celebrate Tamil women in the arts. 

Lover - an excruciating romantic drama

K Manikandan seems to be carving a niche for himself by sensibly selecting well-written and unique indie scripts, which has found him on a deserved hot streak in the industry. Coming off the success of yesteryear’s rom-com darling ‘Good Night,’ Manikandan’s latest release is ‘Lover,’ a romantic drama directed by debutante Prabhuram Vyas. The film also stars Sri Gouri Priya, whose work in the first episode of Modern Love: Chennai ‘Lalagunda Bommaigal’ proved her capability to perform. These two stars shoulder the painful romantic drama deftly between them. 

Lal Salaam - cloying and annoying

Nine years since her last film, Aishwarya Rajinikanth returns with ‘Lal Salaam,’ a film that unsuccessfully melds numerous genres. It stars Vishnu Vishal, Vikranth and the director’s father Rajinikanth in an extended cameo. 

Malvern, Toronto, celebrates Tamil changemakers

On 2 February, Malvern Family Resource Center (MFRC) launched its #MalvernMade campaign to celebrate and recognise Malvern changemakers who have made a positive impact in the community. The event was attended by notable politicians and community leaders including Scarborough – Rouge Park MP Gary Anandasangaree and Deputy Mayor McKelvie.

Jaffna University boils 108 pots in Thai Pongal extravaganza

At Jaffna University's recent Thai Pongal festival, students from all 11 faculties, alongside their union and management, collaborated to boil 108 pots as they collectively marked a new beginning with fresh hopes and aspirations. The event was filled with spirited activities like tug-of-war and pillow fights at the main campus, while the Kailasapathy Auditorium showcased vibrant cultural performances, dance, and theatre.

La Courneuve embraces colours of Tamil culture in inaugural Thai Pongal celebration

 

In a momentous occasion for the city of La Courneuve, the vibrant Tamil community gathered for the very first time to celebrate Thai Pongal, marking a milestone in Tamil cultural festivities in the region.

"I wanted the past to be very present" - Interview with Akil Kumarasamy

“Why is it so unbearable to look in the face of human vulnerability?” asks author Akil Kumarasamy, in her latest literary offering “Meet us by the Roaring Sea” - a question apt for a society grappling with a loneliness epidemic.