Culture & Community

Culture & Community

Latest news from and about the homeland

Having delivered the acclaimed romantic fantasy comedy ‘Oh My Kadavule’ in 2020, Ashwath Marimuthu returns with his sophomore feature ‘Dragon’ starring Pradeep Ranganathan, who also follows his directorial and starring debut to collaborate with his long time friend. The trailer hints at a film along similar lines to Sivakarthikeyan’s 2022 film ‘Don,’ however, this is thankfully not the case.…

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.

TYO careers fair praised on both sides of the table

As part of the its defining goal of ‘empowering the Tamil youth’, the TYO (Tamil Youth Organisation) organised a higher education and careers convention in West London on Saturday afternoon.

Classic films: Man Vaasanai (1983)

‘Man Vaasanai’ directed by Bharathiraaja captures the innocence of village life and contentment in a small world.

Pandiyan abandons his village to join the armed force. Upon his return he realises that nothing will ever be the same again.

Watch a song from the film here:

Maasi Maasam (Dharma Dhurai 1991)

A hugely popular song in the early 1990's, Ilaiyaraaja tuned Maasi Maasam to the raaga suddha dhanyasi, a Janya raaga from Thodi.

The film the song was written for, Dharma Durai, was guaranteed success due to Rajinikanth's lead role as the hero, yet Ilaiyaraaja's songs took it to another level.

The lyrics of the song are typically poetic and euphemistic and have certain romantically playful elements to it.

‘Ilam Kaatru’ blows audience away

‘Ilam Kaatru’ (‘Youth Wind’), the Tamil Youth Organisation’s (TYO) annual talent show returned after a two year gap on March 12 to wow the audience with an evening of dance, music and other entertainment.

Remembering Murugathas Anna

With a single, supreme act of sacrifice for his people in February 2009, Murugathasan Varnakulasingham became a revered household name for the Tamils.

Imperial Tamil Soc sparkles at 'Mega Maalai XI'

Imperial College London’s Tamil Society staged their annual 'Mega Maalai' entertainment show on January 23 with a blaze of colour, dance and song at the Piccadilly Theatre in the capital’s West End.

Ball on the Thames

London’s Tamil student community held an evening of elegance and fun on Feb 10: a ball. The Valentines Soirée Boat Party was held on the 'Dixie Queen', a stunning replica of a 19th century Mississippi paddleboat and now the largest entertainment boat on the river Thames.