Memorial events honouring veteran Tamil singer Thenisai Sellappa were held in France and Switzerland earlier this month, as members of the Tamil diaspora gathered to commemorate his enduring legacy and contribution to Tamil national consciousness through music, poetry and performance.
In France, the remembrance event was jointly organised by the Tamil Coordinating Committee – France and the French Tamil Arts and Cultural Association on 3 May 2026. Proceedings began at 11:00 a.m. with tribute ceremonies held before a portrait of Sellappa, whose artistic work became deeply intertwined with the Tamil liberation struggle and the collective memory of Eelam Tamils.
The ceremonial flame of remembrance was lit by Sellappa’s granddaughter, who also offered floral tributes in honour of the late artiste. Attendees observed moments of remembrance and reflection, paying tribute to a figure widely regarded within the Tamil community as one of the defining cultural voices of the Tamil liberation struggle.
A separate memorial event was also held in Switzerland on the same day under the organisation of the Swiss Tamil Coordinating Committee. The commemoration took place in the Bern region and drew participation from Tamils travelling from across Switzerland to honour Sellappa’s life and legacy.
The Swiss event featured the lighting of a common flame and remembrance flame, followed by floral tributes and commemorative proceedings. Participants gathered in an emotional atmosphere to reflect on Sellappa’s artistic contributions and his role in strengthening Tamil national identity through his distinctive voice, politically resonant songs and cultural activism.
Thenisai Sellappa continues to be remembered by Tamils around the world for his powerful musical works associated with the Tamil liberation movement and for his lasting contribution to the cultural identity and political consciousness of Eelam Tamils.