Culture & Community

Culture & Community

Latest news from and about the homeland

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The annual Mahotsavam, or grand festival, of the historic Thiruketheeswaram temple in Mannar concluded last month with the Theertham ceremony, drawing thousands of devotees to one of the most ancient sites of Tamil Saivism on the island. Thiruketheeswaram is revered as one of the five Pancha Ishwarams, the ancient coastal temples dedicated to Lord Shiva that ring the island, and it is among…

‘I will always rep being Tamil’ - Maitreyi Ramakrishnan

Tamil-Canadian actor Maitreyi Ramakrishnan used a recent speech to deliver a sharp, funny and political reflection on identity, language and solidarity, urging Tamils to reject respectability politics and “stop caring about what will people think”.

Kaantha - A meta mystery

Selvaraj returns with his sophomore feature ‘Kaantha,’ a period piece filled with film noir elements.

British Tamil poet’s Armistice Day sonnet selected by the Royal Family

A British Tamil poet’s work was chosen by the Royal Family for this year’s Armistice Day commemorations, with his specially commissioned sonnet read at the national service attended by the Princess of Wales.

Idli Kadai - Underdone

Dhanush is keen on presenting himself as a renaissance man. The actor has tried his hand at writing, producing, songwriting and directing for more than a decade now. For his fourth directorial feature - following the lukewarm reception of ‘Nilavakku Enmel Ennadi Kobam’ earlier this year - Dhanush returns to his role as writer/director with ‘Idli Kadai,’ a sentimental family drama. 

Period Parrrty - Review

Tamil ‘short-eats’ being used as a comical prop. A queer reading of a beloved Tamil noughties classic. A mother and her child preparing one another’s hair with coconut oil. There are many small moments in ‘Period Parrrty’ that make it shine. 

Bison - Off game

Maari Selvaraj has written and directed some of the most memorable films for the Tamil industry in the last decade. His most recent feature ‘Vaazhai’ was one of the best of 2024 as well as amongst the director’s career. His latest film ‘Bison Kaalamaadan’ is a political sports drama with a heavy dose of gangster action starring Dhruv Vikram and Pasupathy. 

Tamil teenager crowned Foyle Young Poet of the Year

A Tamil teenager from Reading has been named one of the winners of the prestigious Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award, triumphing over tens of thousands of entries from across the globe.

Bad Girl - Good film

When two of the best working filmmakers of India come together to produce a film, one should expect something special. The project the duo have decided to represent is Varsha Bharath’s directorial debut ‘Bad Girl,’ a coming of age tale starring Anjali Sivaraman as the eponymous protagonist. 

Madharaasi - Middling masala

AR Murugadoss returns to Kollywood with his boldly titled new film ‘Madharaasi.’