Culture & Community

Culture & Community

Latest news from and about the homeland

Spoiler-free review. Spoiler review below. Karthik Subbaraj’s last project, 2023’s ‘Jigarthanda DoubleX’ remains one of the best Tamil films of the decade thus far. A fantastically crafted meta subversion of the Western genre, ‘Jigarthanda DoubleX’ scored highly in every department of filmmaking. Subbaraj’s new release ‘Retro’ sees him collaborating with actor Suriya. Following a slump in…

Tamil Eelam beat Yorkshire in CONIFA World Football Cup qualifier

The Tamil Eelam football team managed to secure victory over Yorkshire last month, in a pulsating encounter at Ingfield Stadium in Ossett. 

The tight contest saw Tamil Eelam go ahead thanks to Thomas A, with a cross by Nirun from the left flank met by his surging run and finished off with a sliding right-footed shot. Tamil Eelam doubled their lead with a second half finish into the bottom left corner by Prashanth R, who was making his tenth appearance and scored his seventh goal for Tamil Eelam. Yorkshire scored a well worked goal in the latter stages of the game and pressed on as they searched for an equaliser. However, the Tamil Eelam defence held on and went on to take another win, as the team continues to grow.

‘Tamils of Lanka’ -  Showcasing history, culture and politics 

An exhibition was held by the Tamil Information Centre this weekend, showcasing the history, culture and politics of the Tamil people on the island in memory of the massacres in Mullivaikkal a decade ago.

The exhibition, entitled ‘Tamils of Lanka: A Timeless Heritage’, brought together a variety of artwork, historical texts and carefully preserved artefacts that provided a glimpse of Tamils throughout the ages on the island.

‘Structures of Tamil Eelam’ - a glimpse back at the de-facto state

Tamil youth in Switzerland have released a book documenting life in the Vanni during the ceasefire, as part of attempts to commemorate periods of self rule throughout Tamil history.

Toronto mayor backs bid for Tamil community centre

Toronto’s mayor John Tory met with members of the Tamil community last month and pledged his office’s support behind a drive to create a cultural and recreational hub for Tamil-Canadians.

Thousands attend showcase of British Tamil businesses

Tamil businesses showcased their products and services at the 5th London Tamil Market this weekend, attended by thousands of British Tamils. 

Album of Persecution: Justice, Despair, Tears' - Jaffna photo exhibition


The long running campaign by families of the disappeared across the Tamil homeland was highlighted in a moving photo exhibition, 'Album of Persecution: Justice, Despair, Tears', in Jaffna last week. 

Canadian Minister and MPs join Tamil Heritage Month celebration in Montreal

A Canadian minister and several MPs joined over 1000 Quebec Tamils to celebrate Tamil Heritage Month in January.

The event showcased Tamil history, tradition, culture and food as well as highlighted the notable achievements of members of the Quebec Tamil community.

British Tamil students build media centre at Mullaitivu school

A new media centre funded by a British Tamil student group was opened at a Mullaitivu school on January 29.

The media centre at Kumulamunai Maha Vidyalayam was a project conceived and funded by the UK Tamil Students Union (UKTSU).

Temple for Tamil king Ravanan opened in Jaffna

A new Saiva Tamil temple paying tribute to the legendary Tamil king Ravanan has been opened in Moolai - Ponnalai in the Jaffna district.

Evoking the armed struggle - the kites at VVT festival

Crowds at Valvettithurai beach cheered as kites bearing motifs of the Tamil armed struggle took to the skies for the annual Thai Pongal kite festival on January 14.

Entries included a military tank which bore red and yellow flags, the colours of Tamil Eelam, a hybrid tank decorated with what appeared to be tiger stripes, and a boat named ‘Angayarkanni’ - a possible tribute to the LTTE’s first female Black Tiger.