TCDSB's Tamil Heritage Month Committee welcomes you to our THM Google Site!
We have so many resources, and a few upcoming events available to you!
If you have any questions or are looking for something that is not included here, please contact our co-chair:
Scotula Navaratnasingham - scotula.navaratnasingham@tcdsb.org
Artwork by: Jeeva Nathan
Poster design by: Srutika Thevarajah
From many centuries to the present day, Tamils have contributed greatly to the economy of the world through ART! Throughout the 16th annual Tamil Heritage Month, we will explore the histories and journeys of Tamil arts and their influence om the world.
"Iyal, Isai, Natakam" stand as the three major pillars of Tamil Arts and Culture. Using these pillars as the backbone, every Tamil artform created since has been built with great storytelling and histories. This year's official poster showcases various forms of dance, music, drama, instruments, sculpting, painting, film, clothing design, toys and much more.
As we continue to practice these artforms today in various parts of the world, we are able to join together to preserve Tamil Heritage for future generations.
For centuries, the arts have been used as a form of communication, community building, storytelling, resistance, offerings and preserving cultural identity. Throughout our 16th annual Tamil Heritage Month, we will also be paying tribute to all artists and cultural pioneers engage in all art-related professions and industries.
Inspired by this years theme of "Tamil Vibes" and incorporating the R.O.O.T.S Conference, our new poster is giving all the Vibes!
Thai Pongal.MOVWatch this video explaining it by our wonderful St. John Paul II students who have their own Tamil Student Association!
trim_CEC9ADAD-6BB9-49AB-8BD7-D5A3C6271215.mp4
Social Media Challenge
Are you doing anything to celebrate Tamil heritage and culture this month? Showcase a picture from your school and a caption it on Social Media and use the hashtag #TCDSBProudTamil
Click here for our TCDSB Site for Tamil Heritage Month: www.tcdsb.org/o/communityrelations/page/tamil-canadian-heritage
Past Poster and Celebration Video:
2022 Tamil Heritage Celebration Video
This was the first official poster for Tamil Heritage Month
Flower: Located top right, the gloria superba flower represents fallen Tamil soldiers, and can be compared to the poppy Canadians wear each November. Tamil Remembrance Day takes place on November 27th.
Letters of the Alphabet: The letters scattered through the poster represent the primary alphabet of the Tamil language.
Dancer & Drummer: Located top left, the dancer represents arts and culture through a Tamil dance known as Bharathanatiyam. Located top right, the man is playing the classical percussion instrument called “mridangam” represents Carnatic music.
Kumbam: The image in the center depicts the Kumbam, which is placed on a banana leaf along with lamps on either sides and fruits as offerings. The Kumbam is placed with the due rituals on all important occasions. It is placed near the entrance of a home as a sign of welcome and it is also known as a symbol of good luck.
Bharathiyar: Located bottom left with a red dot on forehead is famous Tamil poet, writer and journalist, Bharathiyar.
Thiruvalluvar: Located bottom right is celebrated famous Tamil poet and philosopher, Thiruvalluvar. His poems have been translated in over 82 different languages.
Symbols: The symbols at the bottom of the poster include the sphere to the left of the cross represents Hinduism; the bible and cross represent Christians and Catholics; the moon with the star represent Islam. As all Tamils follow either the Hindu, Christian/Catholic or Islam religions, this was to represent all Tamil faiths.
Click on the picture to take you to the many community partners and organizations there are to help people who are Tamil and need assistance. Maybe you know a student or staff member that can get assistance from these organizations or maybe you want to educate yourself on what they offer.
Tamil people come from countries like:
Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia and Singapore
The majority of Tamil Canadians at TCDSB come from Sri Lanka and India
(but reside all over the world)
Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, is an island lying in the Indian Ocean and separated from peninsular India by the Palk Strait. It is located between latitudes 5°55′ and 9°51′ N and longitudes 79°41′ and 81°53′ E and has a maximum length of 268 miles (432 km) and a maximum width of 139 miles (224 km).
Most Indian Tamils live in the state of Tamil Nadu, which includes the major part of the former Madras Presidency. The state was given its present borders in 1956, and in 1968, it was given the name Tamil Nadu. Tamils are in clear majority in the union territory of Pondicherry, a former French colony. Pondicherry is a subnational enclave situated geographically within Tamil Nadu.
There are also Tamil communities in other parts of India. Most of these are fairly recent, dating to the colonial and post-colonial periods, but some—particularly the Hebbar and Mandyam Tamils of southern Karnataka, the Tamils of Palakkad in Kerala, and the Tamils of Pune, Maharashtra—date back to at least the medieval period.
Get to know who is on the committee this year!
