Captain Vanathy memorial prizes awarded at literary event

[TamilNet, Monday, 12 July 2004, 00:05 GMT]
Literary prizes from Captain Vanathy memorial competition (2004) were awarded and Senior women writers were felicitated in a ceremony, organized by Capt. Vanathy Publications, and held in District Cultural Hall in Kilinochchi Sunday at 10.00 am, sources in Vanni said. The event was presided by Thamilaval, a director at the publishing organization sponsoring the event.

Mrs. Pon Thiyagam and Kantha

At the beginning of the event, Director of Heroes Cemetary, Pon Thyagam lit the common flame. Woman fighter attached to the 2nd Lt Malathy Brigade, MalaiMahal hoisted the Tamil Eelam flag. Head of LTTE Women's Political Wing, Thamilini, lit the sacrificial flame and paid floral tribute to Captain Vanathy's picture, sources said.

The morning events included introductory writing classes for young writers conducted by Cinema critic attached to the Jaffna University, Mr.Jesuthas, and writer Semmanachchelvan. Following the classes group discussions were held interacting with students on finer points in the art of writing.

Afternoon events started at around 3.30 pm. Thamillini, speaking at the event, said: "War and struggle have been part of our peoples lives. Stories and inspiration that are essential ingredients for creative writing exist in our day to day lives. When stories that reflect real experiences are told they have forceful impact on the readers. Captain Vanathy was a powerful writer. She left behind an unsurpassed legacy and during her final days urged other fighters to continue where she left. This event is an attempt to fulfill her wish and to encourage future writers of Tamil Eelam."

Col.Vithusa felicitated tamil writers, Mrs.Thamarai Chelvi, LTTE writer Mrs.Thamil Kavi and Athiluxmy Sivakumar presenting them with literary awards.

Deputy Head of LTTE Political Wing, S.Thangan, Head of LTTE Judicial Wing, Para, and Mother of three LTTE martyrs, Mrs.Pon Thyagam presented prizes to literary competition winners.

Editor of Velicham Magazine spoke about the state of Tamil literature and contrasted the techniques and styles between the South Indian and Eelam Tamil writers.


Col.Vithusa and Athiluxmy