Culture & Community

Culture & Community

Latest news from and about the homeland

Two years after the lacklustre ‘Thunivu,’ Ajith Kumar returns to the big screen with ‘Vidaamuyarchi,’ joining hands with director Magizh Thirumeni. In an instance of irony, the film has faced multiple hurdles causing for a delay in its release. Thirumeni has seen success with his cult hit crime thrillers for over a decade, with films such as 2012’s ‘Thadaiyara Thaakka,’ 2013’s ‘Meaghamann’ and…

Tamil Eelam victorious against Székely Land at CONIFA Women's World Cup

Tamil Eelam secured a historic win against Székely Land Le at the CONIFA Women's World Cup. 

Matchday two of the CONIFA Women's World Cup saw Tamil Eelam play two games at Morkvedlia Idrettspark. The first game saw Tamil Eelam against tournament hosts FA Sapmi. The first half was physical with both teams unable to break the deadlock. The second half saw goals for FA Sampi with the game ending 0-2. 

Tamil Eelam open CONIFA Women's World Cup

The CONIFA's Women's World Cup has kicked off with the inaugural game between Tamil Eelam and Székely Land. 

Tamil Eelam showed heart to twice come from behind to draw the game 2-2 against Székely Land.

The first half saw Tamil Eelam working both wings to pressure the opposition. Passing the ball well Tamil Eelam were unlucky not to go ahead in the first 35 minutes. Tamil Eelam pressed well as a team, Székely Land could not consolidate play in the first half with Tamil Eelam closing down the centre. However, it was Székely Land to score first with a lofted free kick just before the end of the first half. Defensively Tamil Eelam held well  in open play, Szekely Land had few chances. Though trailing now going into the second half Tamil Eelam had to dig deep.

Bringing Worlds Together - Yanchan Produced takes Tamil music to the NBA and beyond

Yanchan Rajmohan, professionally known as Yanchan Produced is a 29-year-old Tamil Canadian singer, mridangam player, and producer. Yanchan has gained recognition globally for his genre-bending style that brings together South Asian and Western Music, and recently became the first artist of Eelam origin to play their music for the National Basketball Association (NBA), performing at the first-ever Raptors South Asian Heritage Night.

The Tamil Guardian recently sat down with him to talk about his passion for Carnatic music, carving out a space for himself in the music industry, and Tamil resilience. 

Representation on the national stage - British Tamil gymnast and gold medalist speaks to Tamil Guardian

“I didn’t really believe it at first,” said Shobhitha Gnanaratnasingham as she reflected on her gold medal win last year. “It really took me off guard when everyone’s scores came out and I realised I had won!” 

The West London teenager was reflecting on her gold medal at the 2023 Acro, Aero and Rhythmic British championships last year, and how much it meant for her and the British Tamil community.

Resonance of Genocide' - Swiss art exhibition commemorates Tamil genocide

All images courtesy of Phoenix TNG 

A multi-sensory art exhibition was held in Basel, Switzerland, over the weekend to commemorate and raise awareness on the 2009 Tamil genocide.

The exhibition, organised by Phoenix TNG in collaboration with LOTTA, drew attention to the massacre at Mullivaikkal, where Sri Lanka's forces slaughtered an estimated 169 796 Tamils.

Tamil Eelam reveals squad for CONIFA Women's World Cup

The Tamil Eelam Football Association (TEFA) has unveiled its highly anticipated squad for the upcoming CONIFA Women's World Cup set to kick off in Bodø, Norway, from May 27 to June 9, 2024. Comprising 22 talented players from various corners of the Tamil diaspora, TEFA is gearing up to showcase its prowess on the global stage.

The CONIFA Women's World Cup, organised by the Confederation of Independent Football Associations (CONIFA), promises to be a thrilling spectacle of footballing talent from non-FIFA affiliated teams.

Proudly and fiercely Tamil' - An interview with Sunthar V

Ahead of his headline London show, the comedian sat with the Tamil Guardian in London, wearing his “Seeni Appa" (Sugar Daddy) T-shirt, to speak about his Tamil identity and how it has been integral to his comedy and to his audience.

A big honour to represent the Tamil community' - Meet Canada's National Wrestling Champions, Aaharen and Adsaya Piranavan

Tamil Guardian sat down with national winners of the 2024 Canadian Wrestling Championships, Adsaya and Aaharen Piranavan, accompanied by their parents, to discuss their passion for martial arts, healthy sibling rivalries, and the challenges immigrant parents face when trying to provide a better life for their children. 

Eelam Tamils artists win a Norwegian Grammy – Interview with 9 Grader Nord

Mira and Dipha Thiruchelvam, of the award-winning Tamil folk rock band 9 Grader Nord, sat down with Tamil Guardian to speak about their music; life in Norway as second-generation Eelam Tamils; and for Eelam Tamils to find their own voice.

This interview comes as the band has just won the Spellemannsprisen, often described as 'Norway’s Grammy Awards’, for their latest album “Yalpanam”. “Yalpanam” is the historic Tamil name for Jaffna prior to colonialism. The band’s name is a reference to the fact that the coordinates for Jaffna are 9 degrees north of the equator.

Easter in Eelam - Churches across Tamil homeland mark Easter

Celebrations took place in the North-East to mark Easter Sunday and Good Friday.