Singapore Tamil Youth Conference 2016 Manifesto NUSTLS Singapore Tamil Youth Conference 2016 Manif | Page 63

Issue 10: Tamil Media
Pre-Panel Discussion
1. What is the role of media?
• General Role: Disseminate information e.g. Kannottam 360 and provide entertainment
• In Singapore’s context, the media plays a significant role in rallying together minority groups and
consolidating their sense of identity. For instance, shows like ‘Thaalam’ are bilingual, giving more
access to non-Tamil speaking Indian communities. This show also presents the colourful customs,
traditions and events of all the Indian diasporas in Singapore, without limiting itself to merely
Tamil ones.
• Media also help minority groups feel included in the Singaporean society. For instance, shows
such as ‘Tanglin’ on Channel 5 depicts the story of a successful Indian family.
2. How is Tamil culture depicted in the media?
• The Tamil culture is encompassed in our rich literature, music and drama. It is also celebrated in
our festivals, practices, ‘old values’ such as hospitality and good qualities.
• Some participants felt that Tamil culture evolves with globalisation, and that it should not be
artificially manufactured. Force feeding traditional cultural values might cause them to lose
interest in Tamil media.
• Movie Industry (Kollywood): Cinema connects all Tamils worldwide; from India, Sri Lanka,
Singapore and Malaysia.
• Some new movies such as ‘OK Kanmani’ do not reflect traditional Tamil values. Some participants
found this refreshing as they felt that it is not the cinema industry’s responsibility to safeguard
traditional values, but instead to depict real life on reel. Others felt that the appeal of Tamil
movies is encompassed in our values and culture.
• Local Television Channel (Vasantham): Talkshows such as ‘Netru Indru Naalai’, ‘Kathaiyalla
Vaazhkai’ reflect the lives of Singapore Tamils well. Other Info-Ed programmes such as ‘NC16’ and
‘Vizhigal’ are useful too.
• Children’s programmes such as ‘Mat YOYO’ and ‘My Dear Kudumbam’ are good shows to engage
children in the Tamil language.
• There are special dramas/shows on Deepavali, Eid, Father’s Day etc. to emphasise the
importance of the festival/occasion. There are also cooking shows before Deepavali to teach the
making of Indian sweets and treats, which is a way to remind and educate us about our culture.
• Some Tamil dramas are not relatable and tend to be too commercialised. E.g. ‘Vettai’ drama
series is rather dramatic and the fact that the entire team constituted of only Indians makes it
unrealistic.
• Tamil Info-Ed programmes do not adequately depict the problems faced by local Tamils. For
instance, Roshni-Mahtani (case study) was denied housing by her landlord as she was Indian
(subtle racism). Some participants felt that these issues were censored as they might incite racial
tensions while others felt that it was important to have an open discussion of issues faced by
Indian