Issue 11: Tamil Diaspora and Identity
Issue 11: Tamil Diaspora and Identity
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Post-Panel Discussion
How can we strengthen the identity of the Tamil Diasporas locally and / or worldwide?
Recommendation 1: Cultural Exchange Programmes in University
• Professors from the South Asian Department can collaborate with different Tamil educational institutes worldwide e. g. Mauritius, Sri Lanka to organise a cultural exchange programme.
• Conclude the cultural exchange programme with a drama or video production, showcasing the Tamil cultures in both countries. This enable sharing of experiences with regards to the variable Tamil diasporas and promotes understanding of one’ s Tamil identity in a wholesome manner.
• This programme can be extended to pre-university students as well, where it can be made compulsory as a segment of their curriculum.
Recommendation 3: Creation of an International Book
• This book will consist of the various Tamil slangs and modifications used across the world. It should be a ground-up initiative starting with Tamils in Singapore and slowly extending to our fellow Tamil diasporas in Sri Lanka, Mauritius etc.
• Apart from being made available in hardcopy, certain lines in this book can be read and recorded by Tamils from different diasporas to showcase the richness of the Tamil identity. These recordings can be uploaded on social media platforms for greater reach.
Recommendation 4: Improvement of Tri-University Camp
• The current tri-university camp brings together the NUS Tamil Language Society, NTU Tamil Literary Society and SMU Tamizha.
• Apart from just conducting bonding activities, this camp could reach out to polytechnics and ITEs to form a network of Tamil youths.
• Tamil Language Council can tap on this network to create youth-oriented cultural events at theTamil Language Festival annually.
Recommendation 5: Theatre in Curriculum
• Incorporate Tamil theatre as part of the curriculum in secondary schools and beyond. Apart from exposing students to the nuances of theatre, they will learn more about the Tamil language and its rich literature.
• These theatrical experiences can be brought together by a local Tamil Film Festival, which will bridge Tamil students from various institutions together and hopefully, strengthen the Tamil identity.