Culture & Community

Culture & Community

Latest news from and about the homeland

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A commemorative event honouring artists whose works contributed to the Tamil liberation struggle was held in Switzerland with the 11th edition of the Ezhuchikkuyil 2026 Tamil Eelam patriotic song competition. The event, held in the Canton of Bern on May 8, 9, 23 and 24, paid tribute to 72 artists whose songs and artistic contributions were associated with the Tamil liberation movement. Floral…

Canadian Tamil students stand in solidarity with Jaffna youth

Canadian University Tamil Students' Associations hold awareness campaigns on 4th December, about the arrest of Jaffna university students who took part in remembrance day events, to coincide with protest in Jaffna and across Europe.

Tamil youth in Norway protest against Jaffna Uni arrests

 

Norwegian Tamil youth held a peaceful demonstration on Tuesday with lights and banners, protesting against the arrest of students at the Jaffna University.

 

Led by the Tamil Youth Organisation Bergen, the protesters condemned the Sri Lankan military's brutal attack on students in Jaffna.

In a statement, TYO Bergen said, "most importantly this demonstration was held to show support to our fellow students and their right to freedom of speech and self-determination."

In solidarity with Jaffna uni students, British Tamils protest

Published 2038 GMT 04 Dec. Updated with more photos and videos 05 Dec 10:53 GMT.

In act of solidarity, British Tamils protested on Tuesday, demanding the immediate release of the four Jaffna university students arrested by the Terrorism Investigation Department for defying the Sri Lankan security forces and marking Tamil remembrance day on the 27th November.

Echoing Tamil youth in Jaffna, Tamil youth in the UK, from university Tamil societies across the country and the Tamil Youth Organisation UK, tied black clothing across their mouths, condemning the silencing of the freedom of speech of youth back home.

Tamils across the generations joined the youth by 10 Downing Street, in London on a bitterly cold Winter's evening, to campaign for the release of the four students and for an end to the militarisation of the North-East.

Carrying placards condemning the militarisation and on-going genocide, Tamils shouted, "stop attacking Tamil students", "self-determination, for the Tamil nation", "Sri Lankan Army, get out of Tamil Eelam" and "let us remember our heroes".

Follow @TamilGuardian on Twitter for our live coverage of events.

Refugees in Tamil Nadu camp remember the Maaveerar

Photographs Pathivu

Tamil refugees in the Pudhukottai refugee camp in Tamil Nadu marked Maaveerar Naal by lighting candles, playing Eelam songs, and paying their respects to the fallen.

Maaveerar Naal marked in Saudi Arabia

Over a hundred Tamils gathered in Abha, Saudi Arabia to commemorate Maveerar Naal 2012 on Tuesday.

Tamils travelled from several provinces to come together and paid their respects at the event. As the vast majority of Tamils in Saudi Arabia are migrant workers who have to return to Sri Lanka, pictures of individuals at the event were not publicised.

In Memoriam – Songs from the Purananuru - Song 192

Following the Tamil tradition of remembering with poetry and song, on Maaveerar Naal 2012, we bring you one of the most famous songs in Tamil literature – the ‘Karma poem’ from the Purananuru, the four hundred songs of war and wisdom.
 
Song 192 of the Purananuru,
 
The song of Kanniyan Poonkunran
Tinai  - Poruviyal (General Heroism), Turai – Porunmolikkanci
 
"Every city is your city. Everyone is your kin

Italian Tamil youth honour the Maaveerar

Photographs courtesy of Giovanni Tamil