'Safeguard Tamil language and culture' -GA

[TamilNet, Saturday, 18 October 2003, 00:46 GMT]
"Tamils in Ilankai (Sri Lanka) and those displaced from here in the Diaspora are rendering great service to the promotion and continued vitality of the Tamil language. The services they render to the creation of literary work in Tamil have been commended as being better than even in India," said Mr. K. Ganesh, the Vavuniya district Government Agent, speaking at the evening program of the Tamil literary festival in Vavuniya Thursday.

A Tamil citizen from Ilankai, who was displaced and lived in a refugee camp in Tamil Nadu, is said to be rendering great service to creative Tamil literature, and many if his works are being published in foreign countries, Mr. Ganesh said.

The people in the Diaspora are operating several Internet websites where they promote the Tamil language by publishing their literary work, and many such sites contain high-quality literary work, he said.

“It is our bounden duty to safeguard the Tamil language and culture. We need to commend and encourage those who do literary work in Tamil," Mr. Ganesh said. "Festivals like this are intended for this purpose. Many Tamil intellectuals from the Northeast and other parts of the country are gathered here today. Such coming together strengthens the effort to foster Tamil language and culture.”





Prior to the commencement of the event, a procession carrying a statue of the “Tamil mother” started from the Vavuniya town and reached the Aquinas theatre of the Irambaikulam Girls’ school.

Tamil and Muslim students marched in the procession. Students made up to appear as ancient Tamil sages, such as Kamban, Valluvar, Auvaiyar, and more recent literary luminaries like the late Prof.K. Kailasapathy and Prof. S. Vithiyanandan, were seen marching in the procession.

Ms.N. Srithevi, the deputy director of cultural affairs, presided over the evening events and gave the welcome speech. The evening program included drama, classical Tamil dance, folk dance, and musical programs.





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