The annual Nachimar Kovil chariot festival took place today in Vannarpannai, Jaffna as devotees flocked to worship goddess Kamatchi Ambal, ensconced in her iconic chariot. With the yearly Tamil Saivite festival currently underway in the temple, today marked the display of the divine chariot. Devotees in the temple were seen wearing face masks as they worshipped due to the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. There were some concerns expresseds locally about the numbers in attendance, given the rising infections in the North. This year’s edition of the festival marks the silver jubilee since...
Celebrated Kollywood actor and comedian Vivek passed away in the wee hours of Saturday aged 59. He was admitted to a private hospital in Chennai on Friday due to a sudden cardiac arrest and succumbed to it on Saturday. Tamil actors, politicians and the general public flooded to Vivek’s residence in the neighbourhood of Virugambakkam to pay their last respects where he lay in state. An accomplished actor, Vivek was also widely admired for his social work. Particularly noted was his mission to plant 10 million tree saplings across Tamil Nadu at the behest of former President of India A.P.J...
The Tamil New Year, which falls on the first day of the month of Chithirai in the Tamil calendar, was celebrated across the Tamil homeland on Wednesday, April 14. With some referring to the April festival as an exclusively Hindu and sanskritised holiday, there is debate among Tamil communities as to whether the day truly represents a Tamil New Year. Although socially and politically, a lot more prominence is given to the secular Tamil festival of Thaipongal, Chithirai Puthandu is still widely celebrated by Tamils in the North-East and globally. Jaffna Special worshipping took place in the...
Maha Shivaratri poojas took place in Mullaitivu and Mannar temples amidst the presence of Sri Lankan police, army and special forces this month. Shivaratri events were carried out with special hygiene practices in line with the island’s coronavirus health guidance. The festival is one of the most important events in the Saivite and Hindu calendar, which serves to remind those celebrating of overcoming darkness and bringing hope in life and the world. Mullaitivu Worshippers attended the Shivaratri festival at the Sri Konamadhu Pillaiyar Temple located at the Kurunegala Hills in Mullaitivu...
Famed music composer A.R. Rahman has teamed up with Oscar and Grammy-nominated artist M.I.A. and an array of Tamil artists around the world to launch 'maaja', a project to support and amplify the voices of independent artists. A.R Rahman hopes to 'elevate the world class talent' to a global stage.
Thai Pongal was celebrated across the Tamil homeland this morning, with festivities taking place despite bouts of flooding, coronavirus restrictions and a continued heavy Sri Lankan military presence.
Tamils around the world marked Thai Pongal, the traditional Tamil harvest festival, today as celebrations shone despite coronavirus restrictions.
Tamil Heritage Month began in Canada this week as politicians from across the political spectrum paid tribute to the Tamil community. An online event with cultural performances was held on New Year’s day to mark the start of the month, which will see events held virtually throughout January. “It is a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions Canadians of Tamil descent have made to Canada, as well as their extraordinary language and culture,” said Bardish Chagger, Canada’s Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth. “Canada is the proud home of one of the world’s largest Tamil...
UofT signing agreement with Toronto Tamil Chair Team The University of Toronto (UofT) has agreed to establish a ground breaking Tamil Chair, after signing an agreement with the Tamil Congress and Tamil Chair Inc. in 2018. The Chair has received an outpour of community support and will be first of its kind in Canada. The Toronto Tamil Chair will be community-funded and has garnered over 1,500 supporters to date. The University of Toronto plans to implement the Chair in its Scarborough Campus. “The partnership between an outstanding global institution like the University of Toronto and the...
Tributes have flooded in this week as yet another Tamil doctor passed away from coronavirus in the UK this week, as coronavirus infections rise across the country. Dr Krishnan Subramanian, a Consultant Anaesthetist at Royal Derby Hospital, passed away on Thursday after contracting coronavirus. Dr Subramaniam joined the trust in 2014 as a Consultant Anaesthetist and was a well loved member of the medical team. Gavin Boyle, Chief Executive of the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton, said it is “a very sad day for the UHDB family” and that “Krishnan was a hugely valued member of the team...