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…

TYO-Canada launches ‘G for genocide’ campaign

Tamil activists in Toronto marked the second anniversary of Sri Lanka’s mass killings of Tamil civilians by launching an awareness raising street campaign titled ‘G for Genocide’.

SL cricket tour begins with genocide protest

Sri Lanka’s cricket team began their tour of England Saturday with a match against Middlesex that was accompanied by the din of a lively protest at the Uxbridge ground by Tamil expatriates and others.

In Memoriam – Songs from Purananuru - Song 245

Tinai: Potuviyal (general heroism)
Thurai: Kaiyarunilak

In Memoriam - Songs from the Purananuru - Song 255

During May, we will publish selected English translations of poems from the Purananuru, one of the early Tamil anthologies of poetry generally dated between the first century B.C.E and the fifth century C.E.

These 400 songs of war and wisdom, in our view, are representative of some of the feelings of the Tamil people as, two years later, they remember the events of 2009.

Tholvi Nilayena (Oomai Vizhigal)

Lyrics: Aabavaanam
Composer: Manoj-Kiyan
Singer: P.B. Srinivas

Released in August 1986, 'Tholvi Nilayena', famously sung by P.B. Srinivas after a long gap in his career, is known as an inspirational and motivational song for  those on the brink of defeat.

The song came at a very crucial point in the history of Eelam; India had started to get involved after the Thimpu talks. 

Shreya Goshal in concert: language no bar to a good time

It is a distinctive of India with its many languages that talented entertainers here can easily captivate an audience which does not always speak their language.

KCL sports league celebrates first year

As the end of  Britain's university academic year draws closer, the last week of March saw the finale of the newly-formed ‘Legacy Sports League’ hosted by King’s College London (KCL) Tamil Society.

Classic films: Aboorva Raagangal (1975)

K. Balachander directed this controversial film starring Kamal Hassan and Srividhya.

It was controversial upon its release due to the themes of the film such as the relationship between a younger man and an older divorced woman, which is not part of the social norms in Tamil culture.

Despite its controversy, the film became a huge success in Tamil cinema and even went on to win a National Film award in 1976.

The film was then remade in Hindi for North-Indian audiences.

Chinnanchiru Vayathil (Meendum Kokila 1981)

‘Chinnanchiru Vayathil’ from the film ‘Meendum Kokila’ is a wonderful duet sung by Shailaja, S.P. Balasubramaniam’s sister, and K.J. Yesudas.

The picturization of the song shows the hero’s family (Kamal Hassan) at Sridevi’s house in order to fix their marriage. In the olden days, potential brides would sing or dance for their potential husband and their families in order to attract them.