Tamilnation Website - Visitor Comments

About Us & Visitor Comments

Visitor Comments: 2006

From: Thedum Manithan, United Kingdom 30 December 2006

ஐயா, I write to you on the day Saddam has given up his ghost at the gallows of the "American Justice". When Saddam was a dictator he was an ally of the great US. But today he alone is executed for the crimes committed against humanity. Yet thousands upon thousands of Iraqi civilians have died since the invasion and occupation. Who will be charged for that crime is the bigger question. Well, all is done in the name of democracy! Sanctity of life. What a glorious and noble principle.

I'm also moved to watch No More Tears in the near future after reading the piece by the ex-editor of the Sangam website. I was given the impression that No More Tears was a bad thing and one had rough-edged words with Ondaatje. Perhaps I was badly advised.

I admire the way in which Rajan Sriskandarajah has dealt with the subject - both objectively and subjectively. He has revealed the pains and struggles of middle class youngsters particularly from Christian upbringing as Ranjani and Nirmala. Only a few days ago I was chatting with their first cousin and even now I can detect the pain of loss. The pain of knowing intellectual engagement and the questioning on human rights are taboo.

Armed rebellion and Satyagraha are equally tenacious. The first empowers you with an AK 47. As the piece says, joining the latter in comparison is like "a cake walk" yet requires tremendous courage. Engaging in an armed struggle however, is far from a tea party. The piece on No More Tears has asked a very honest question (which many Tamil writers avoid asking): "Would I have considered taking up arms, or even a jail-break? Would I have gone back to Sri Lanka from the safety of London, after my residence was ransacked by a visibly irritated armed-force of whatever persuasion?"

He further states: "Many of my schoolmates at that time, of the middle-class Jaffna Tamil variety, didn�t join me in this �non-violent� political movement. Their parents forbade them, and my �friends� simply complied. In this context, I find two middle-class-Jaffna-Tamil-girls joining an armed rebellion most fascinating, and in my view, most admirable."

This rips the mask of Jaffna society with finesse. What an honest piece of writing! There are writers a plenty - propagandists and pen-pushers who have sharpened their pens by unplugging their conscience and heart. The quest for truth has become trivial. Many salivate for titles: intellectual class; academic club, etc etc; any thing to get a name, SOS, sell our souls. Orwell spoke of his early youth thus: 'I had a facility with words and a power of facing unpleasant facts'. Who killed Ranjani is shrouded in mystery. While others might spend time casting casuistic doubt on the concept of verifiable truth, I think, Rajan Sriskandarajah is nearer the mark. நன்றிமிக்க. தேடும் மனிதன்

From: Professor Alvappillai Veluppillai, USA, 26 December 2006

Today your website carries a very good article on V.Navaratnam by Sachi Sri Kantha. I have 2 comments on the article which can enhance the value of the article.

1. Rajadurai represented Batticaloa from 1956 to 1989 (i.e. 33 years). Why VN says that he represented it continuously for 27 years as the First MP is a mystery. I wonder whether 27 could be a printing error for 29 years (i.e. from 1960 to 1989). Between 1956 and 1960, Rajadurai represented Batticaloa which was then a single member constituency. Technically he could not be called First MP for that period.

2. Sachi's observation that KP. Ratnam and not Anandasangaree is the senior-most Tamil politician alive (after VN) is very interesting. I recall immediately a triangle in the legislative career of these 3 politicians.

Anandasangaree was never a Tamil nationalist. He, who claims that Kilinochchi was his pocket borough, contested Kilinochchi as a LSSP candidate in 1965 and lost to KP. Ratnam by a big margin. As VN became a rebel from the FP and formed his own Self-Rule Party in 1969, the FP wanted to defeat him and hurriedly brought the popular KP. Ratnam from Kilinochchi to Kayts as their candidate. They succeeded in defeating VN but their new candidate, a last minute choice, in Kilinochchi could not defeat Anandasangaree who was nursing the constituency for years. In 1970, Sangaree contested as a Tamil Congress candidate. Sangaree won twice in 1970 and 1977. In 1977, he was a TULF candidate. All the 13 constituencies in the Northern Province elected TULF candidates by a big margin. So Sangaree could not claim any special credit. VN and KPR have better claims to be Tamil nationalists, each in their own way than Sangaree.

From: Narenthiran Kengatharam, Germany 26 December 2006

You are doing with your website very good service for the Tamil people abroad.
I was able to listen to songs which I had heard when I was a small boy. Diese Service finde ich eine sch�ne sache f�r all die Tamilen die in der �bersee leben.Ich bin �u�est dankbar f�r euch.

From: Thedum Manithan, United Kingdom 17 December 2006

I had heard of Putmaipithaan and his powerful short stories which served as acerbic commentaries of his society. But I had not read him - not until I accidentally punched into the TN search engine.

A literati Tamil scholar-teacher was concerned that I was impoverished in Tamil language. He used to pass on to me well-bound literary papers from Tamil Nadu. He thought I had some literary potential and that I should write poetry, essays and short-stories in Tayi moli. I remember, he once told me, some good 30 years ago, that I should read Putumaipithan's தெரு விளக்கு.

I spoke to him over the phone in Eelam soon after the Tsunami. He asked me whether I have managed to read in Tamil while living in a non-Tamil environment. I sheepishly told him "Sir, I just finished reading Purananooru - but an English translation". He wasn't pleased and he revealed it in his tone of voice. When I returned a few months later, his son-in-law told me that Sarangapani sir had passed away.

After all these years of exile-sojournings, today, I read Puthmaipitham's short story! As I read it, I am speechless. I bow in reverence to such profound teachers of old. I'm reminded of a Biblical phrase: "I have heard it long enough; but now I see (the point)!"

I yearn for my 'home' as I knew it - which is obviously no longer there, but remains now as a memory - a spiritual entity, peopled only by treasured memories. And I am grateful to Tamil Nation for being that spiritual connexion. Mikka nandri.

From: T.Vijayaraj, USA 16 December 2006

ஐயா, தங்களின் பணி அளப்பதற்கரியது. நாமக்கல் கவிஞரின் புத்தகங்களை வாங்கி படிக்கவும் முடியாத நிலையில் இருந்த எனக்கு இறை அருளால் தங்கள் இணையத்தளம் மூலம் கிடைக்கப் பெற்றேன். மிக்க நன்றி.

From: Revd.Chandi Sinnathurai, 15 December 2006

The beautifully penned moving account of the late tesatin kural : Bala Annai by Mana Tanapalacinkam is a fitting tribute. Only a week ago, I was at a religious gathering and there some senior people (I mean in chronology) who were talking with some concern of "Stanny's imminent demise." Some of them had known Balasingham as their junior from his St Patrick's days; later in Colombo as journalist, then at British Consulate in Colombo and in the early days in London. All of them in unison echoed the fact, in spite of their differing political shades - (he was known to them by his middle name) that "Stanislaus was a decent human being and a gentleman." One person referred to him as a "master mind". I thought that was a rare and glowing tribute to a man who was in the thick and thin of politics. Privately, I valued his sense of wry humour. Frieds tell me of his love for animals, birds and plants. Most mornings he is out with his beloved wife Adele, I'm told for walks and to feed birds by the riverbank - in this case its seagulls. I hope that Tamil Nation would publish an English version of the above mentioned tribute. I shall conclude with the words of Mark Twain: "Manifestly, dying is nothing to a really great and brave man." May his soul rest in peace! Kind regards

From: Alex Wolf, Netherlands, 13 December 2006

I am a Dutch news photographer and want to make a photo story about the LTTE. Can you bring me in contact with a guide who can bring me to LTTE. Or a contact person who can show me the way to travel around Sri Lanka to meet the LTTE. Thank you very much. http://www.freewebs.com/alexwolfphotographer
Response by tamilnation.org Regretfully our remit does not extend to making arrangements of the kind that you request.

From: Anne Brace, USA 12 December 2006

I discovered your site by accident. It is very interesting and well done. You must know that Frantz Fanon is said to be descended of African slaves, Europeans, and Tamil indentured servants. I am a student of psychology interested in how history and the world around us affect our emotional/mental status. So I was looking up Fanon and found tamilnation.org (and some terrible and wonderful information), because you printed his talk from 1956 to the Congress of African writers. You didn't mention his Tamil background, so I wanted to make sure nobody misses that detail. Peace and solidarity. I am with a group called News & Letters. Maybe you can take a look at our website and see if you would like to contribute a letter or article to our paper. (www.newsandletters.org)

Response by tamilnation.org Many thanks for your comments. Yes, we did look at your News & Letters website and we wish you well with your efforts. Given the demands on our own time in relation to tamilnation.org, we do not know whether we will be able to contribute at the present time but that is not to say that we do not recognise the enduring force (and the importance) of Fannon�s words that the building of a nation is of necessity accompanied by the discovery and encouragement of universalising values.

"If man is known by his acts, then we will say that the most urgent thing today for the intellectual is to build up his nation. If this building up is true, that is to say if it interprets the manifest will of the people ... then the building of a nation is of necessity accompanied by the discovery and encouragement of universalising values. Far from keeping aloof from other nations, therefore, it is national liberation which leads the nation to play its part on the stage of history. It is at the heart of national consciousness that international consciousness lives and grows. And this two-fold emerging is ultimately the source of all culture. "

May God Bless.

From: N V Pillai, Singapore, 30 November 2006

I want to thank Sachi Sri Kantha for his contribution to the cause of Tamils in Sri Lanka. He is a perceptive writer.

From: Nagalingam Ethirveerasingham, USA 29 November 2006

The article "Tomorrow is Maaveerar Naal" is a precise summary with appropriate links of our struggle and aspirations. I am sure all Tamils are grateful to tamilnation.org for the valuable and 'numerous' literature. I refer your articles and the website to those whom I come in contact with who want to and need to know about the Tamil struggle for self-determination. I wish you and tamilnation.org continue to keep abreast and look ahead in this last and most ardous lap of our struggle.

Response by tamilnation.org Many thanks for your comments.

From: Mala Iyer, [[email protected]] 27 November 2006

Vanakkam. I found the site truly amazing. The vast collection of Tamil Literature is fascinating.
Response by tamilnation.org Many thanks for your comments.

From: S.Nagarajan, Radius Learning, 11 November 2006

By introduction I wish to state that I am a teacher and Professor who earlier worked in an established University in India. I devoted my time to create a good portal for Tamil elearning, egovernance and ecommerce. I worked extensively on two important open source framework - Docebo ( www.docebo.org ) and Moodle ( http://moodle.org ). Using the advantage of Unicode enhancement in these two frameworks with latest web technology I was able to translate the framework into Tamil. I created a prototype for you to access and evaluate the work done with a feed back/cooperation for further refinement. Docebo: URL http://www.eclass4u.com

enter username - rishi, password - rishi. Change the default language to Tamil and you are in. This framework is unique in the sense that you have a document management system, learning management system and knowledge management system. Kindly visit and check the overall working of this platform. Similarly I created a Moodle site available at http://www.eclass4u.com/moodle

Please login with the username tamilan and password tamilan. At the top you have provision for the change of language from English to Tamil. I thank you for your suggestions for taking my project further to a level and standard that international Tamil community aspires to achieve.
Response by tamilnation.org We have included a link to your page in our Tamil Digital Renaissance page. We wish you success in your efforts.

From: C Ramesh, Chennai, 11 November 2006

Vannakam. I think you will be interested in this link ( www.pulavan.com ). It is an online Tamil-Tamil dictionary developed by Panacea Dreamweavers of Chennai (www.pdsoftware.in ).You can search for words and meanings in Tamil using Typewriter or Romanised method. There's no need to download any font (exception: Firefox users). You can also add words and meanings and edit meanings contributed by other users. A lot like Wikipedia, except that it's all in Tamil.We look forward to your participation. If you like our site, please do spread the word around. Endrum Anbudan

Response by tamilnation.org We have included a link to Pulavan On Line Dictionary in our Learning and Teaching Tamil page. We wish you well in your efforts.

From: Umakantha Sarma, Australia, 8 November 2006

The recent letter from the International Federation of Tamils calling upon the International Community to Respond Meaningfully to Sri Lanka's Message of Terror dated 4 November 2006 is a well written summary of events explaining the situation of Tamils and the inaction of International community which shows shows it's partiality. My view is that this type of letters and memorandums should be sent regularly (on weekly basis) to all mass media, news papers,co- chairs and their ambassadors etc exposing their hypocrisy and injustice.

From: Dr. Bavan Sri-Skanda-Rajah, Canada, 7 November 2006

Thank you so very much for publishing my recent Toronto Star Community Editorial with the relevant links, each, providing a self contained and comprehensive guide - with supporting evidence � vividly describing the tragedy that has befallen the island of Sri Lanka including the immense suffering experienced by the Tamils. You have done a brilliant job documenting the history of our struggle incident by incident. It is going to help open the eyes of even the editor and my colleagues in the Community Editorial Board of the Toronto Star. I hope it will transform the editorial policies of the Toronto Star and help change the mind set of people. I am truly grateful for the service you are rendering.

Response by tamilnation.org Mikka Nanri. Comments such as yours help to sustain us in our own endeavours. May God Bless.

From: Alex Pattakos, Ph.D. New Mexico, USA 29 October 2006

I had the opportunity to visit your web site and found it very inspiring. Since you have dedicated space to my mentor, Dr. Viktor Frankl, I thought that you might be interested in knowing about my book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts (which Dr. Frankl had personally encouraged me to write), and meaning-centered work. In this regard, please see both: www.prisonersofourthoughts.com and
www.globaldialoguecenter.com/alexpattakos Blessings, Alex

Response by tamilnation.org Many thanks for your comments. Vicktor Frankl continues to inspire many. Actually in May 1998, it was Victor Frankl's little book 'Search for Meaning' which we had come across by accident a couple of weeks earlier which finally pushed us to publish this website. The particular words which moved us appeared in his Preface -

"Don't aim at success - the more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side effect of one's personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by product of one's surrender to a person other than oneself. Happiness must happen, and the same holds for success: you have to let it happen by not caring about it. I want you to listen to what your conscience commands you to do and go on to carry it out to the best of your knowledge. Then you will live to see that in the long run - in the long run, I say! - success will follow you precisely because you had forgotten to think of it..."

We wish you well with your efforts - and we were struck by Stephen Covey's remarks in his Foreword to your work -

"With the seven magnificent principles Dr. Pattakos describes in this important book, a kind of primary greatness is developed where character and contribution, conscience and love, choice and meaning, all have their play and synergy with each other. This is contrasted with secondary greatness, described in the last chapter of this book�being those who are successful in society's eyes but personally unfulfilled." From the Foreword by Dr. Stephen R. Covey - Author, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

From: Revd.B J Alexander, United Kingdom, 24 October 2006

Vannakam! I would like to convey "Meth thap periya upakaram" for hyperlinking excerpts from Bose's The Lost Hero... The narrative and the legends (vera theera seyalkal) of Chandra Bose and his INA gives us insights that is compatible with the Ealavar armed struggle. The non-violent struggle of the Mahatma and the armed struggle of the INA, both played its pivotal role - both were radical in essence and its philosophy. And as a whole both these modes of struggle contributed to the freedom of the peoples of the sub-continent. Quite rightly the Labour Government of that time made calculated moves - the time was ripe for independence - transfer of power that is; not without economic reckoning, as always. One final point. Bose's death - "an enduring mystery". Many leaders have died mysteriously in mid air! Each time our Vanni leadership travels on SLAF helicopters this matter comes to haunt me. Of course, there is the security guarantee of the co-chairs. But if things were to turn pear shaped, there is always a cop-out clause shrouded in mystery. I cannot disguise my mistrust.

From: Rajesh Iyer, 22 October 2006

Hats off to you Sir! I had a look at your website which I got in a search for Kalki Shri Krishnamurthy. Truly it was a scintillating experience and in the past 6 months I was able to complete two of his novels - Sivakamiyin Sabatham and Ponniyin Selvan. These two novels , led me thru a journey of the period of two different Tamil monarchs (Pallavas and Cholas) ... just reading the novels I found myself walking along with King Mamalla II attacking Pulikesi II in Sivakamiyin Sabatham and walking with Vandiyathevan in Ponniyin Selvan to Eelam to meet Ponniyin Selvar 'Arul mozhi varman ' . Thanks to you I got to know about Parthibal Kanavu also.

From: Ana Pararajasingham, Australia, 17 October 2006

I must thank tamilnation.org for engaging, challenging and further exploring the ideas expressed in my short piece entitled �The Strategy of 'Containment'. One cannot but agree with the following response by tamilnation.org:

�Why would the international community support a solution based on a union of two states? We may need to address, up front, the strategic interests which leads the US to oppose the emergence of an independent Tamil Eelam. We may also need to address up front the strategic interests which leads New Delhi to oppose the emergence of an independent Tamil Eelam. And the reasons which impel each are different (and do not flow from a generalised statist disdain for non state actors). We may then take the next step of showing that a union of two states in the island of Sri Lanka will not be against the strategic interests of any of the three international actors - and that it is a refusal to progress such a solution which will work against those strategic interests�

From: Saty Raghavachary, 15 October 2006

Symmetry in Threshold Design in Tamil Nadu: Hello there! Amazing site, with a rich collection of information and links. Please keep up the good work. Thank you for including my 'Tile-based Kolam Patterns' research paper in your 'kolams' page. You might also want to include this link to a video presentation of Kolams of South India

From: K.Puvana Chandra, United Kingdom, 9 October 2005

Vanakkam,
For publishing the journal of arumai thangachi Gajaani enathu nandri kalantha valthukal - எனது நன்றி கலந்த வாழ்த்துக்கள். The last statement of Gajaani reminds me of something that a very senior state official told me during a visit to the North once. When I asked him how during his inspection tours to the area he knows when the government controlled area ends and the so called 'uncleared area' starts he said

" Thamby, I look at the cadjan fence along the lanes (olungai) and when I see a properly thatched fence starting I know that I have crossed into LTTE area.What ever they do they do it to perfection"

That summed it all for me and Gajaani's statement shows what underpins the ethos of this great organisation. One day our nation will be built on these foundations and that is and must be the hope and aspiration of all Eelam Tamils. Nandri vanakkam.
Response by tamilnation.org Mikka Nanri. We ourselves can relate to that which you say - and also to Gajaani's remarks about Kittu. We remember an occasion in 1992. At that time we were editing the Tamil Nation fortnightly news paper. The fortnightly had published a photograph of children sitting on the floor and writing on sheets of paper in the corridor of a 'refuge' in Batticaloa. Kittu, who was living in London at that time, phoned the next day and said: "Annai, that photograph of children in Batticaloa was very good. Can you please let me know of books from which our people back at home may learn how to take good photographs?" Kittu was a perfectionist in all that he did - and said. The struggle was his life. We publish below a rather poor reproduction of the photograph which Kittu liked so much -

From: S. Rajagopalan, 30 September 2006

Vanakkam, I am very very happy that I happened to learn about your website thro' my friend when I wanted to read about "Periyarin Marupakkam' book by M. Venkatesan. I will procure this book pronto. You are doing a great job. Continue and God bless all those connected with it.

From: Ravi Ravindrarajah, Sydney, Australia, 27 September 2006

Please find the latest book (72 pages) published by the Aum Muruga Society entitle Saiva Funeral Rites with explanation authored by N. Mahesan, who conducts funeral rites for Saivites in Sydney. This book is written keeping the expatriate Saivites in mind and the guidelines are easy to follow and written on simple Tamil. Please include this publication in your website considering it is a valuable guide for many Saivites living outside the traditional homeland where Saiva priests are not available to conduct the ceremony. Thanks you and best wishes.

Response by tamilnation.org The publication does fill a void and has now been included in the Cultural Section. Mikka Nanri.

From: S.M.Lingam, Canada 14 September 2006

Vanakkam.I wish to congratulate you on your well timed and well explained article, Black Pebbles & White Pebbles. It is a very instructive and scholarly contribution to our liberation struggle. You conclude by quoting Mamanithar Sivaram that we should make every endeavour to stir people's reason, intellectual curiosity etc. I wrote an article entitled "Quantity Deficit & Quality Surplus" soon after the signing of the CFA emphasizing similar and related ideas.We have to continue that process in a well coordinated way as a concerted campaign with more commitment. I want to urge you and other writers of your calibre to make more frequent contributions of this type so that more of us may gain proper political awareness which may then permeate to others too. With best wishes and many thanks.

From: S.Varatharajan, Australia 13 September 2006

What a relief to see your article Black Pebbles & White Pebbles. I have been really frustrated that no one is writing anything which is not an insult to one's basic intelligence. Since Sivaram's loss it has become far worse. Please do write more. I am glad that you succinctly pointed out with great clarity the nature of the US-India interactive play.

From: Reuban Nanthakumar, Australia 10 September 2006

BBC and its Flirtations with Sri Lankan Propaganda: Thank you for the excellent work in editing and formatting the article for your website. The annotations and the page anchors add to the usefulness of the article and it was also great to see that the site actually attached the photo of the bombing as well. Your work is much appreciated.

Response by tamilnation.org Mikka Nanri.

From: Robin Steep, Sri Lanka, 28 August 2006 [[email protected] ]

I am a student in Sri Lanka. I need the official mail address of the LTTE to contact them .Can u give me. My email address: [email protected]
Response by tamilnation.org Vannakam. We do not have the address that you have requested. Additionally, we regret that our remit does not in any case extend to making the arrangements of the kind that you have requested.

From: Kalpana Vignesha, Sydney, Australia, 27 August 2006

Dear tamilnation.org, Vanakkam. I'm in the process of writing my honours thesis. I'm arguing against the idea that without the Tamil Diaspora, the LTTE would cease to exist. While I'm aware that many in the Tamil diaspora willingly contribute to the movement for Eelam and that the LTTE has expressed its gratitude, I think it is presumptuous on the part of certain authors to say that the diaspora is the key link in the continuance of the conflict or to insinuate that the Tamil diaspora are terrorists by proxy. Your website has been an awesome wealth of information (well referenced as well, which is a real boon in academic research!) but I was wondering if you could recommend any other resources (or point me to precise parts of your absolutely huge website) that might aid in my research and writing. Much thanks.

Response by tamilnation.org Many thanks for your comments. Regretfully, our remit does not extend to providing the kind of assistance that you seek. We wish you well with your research efforts.

From: Liz Gay, CNVC Trainer, Singapore [email protected] , 21 August 2006

I was excited to stumble across your website today after connecting over the telephone with a colleague of mine who is endeavouring to share a process of compassionate communication with people in Sri Lanka, hoping that through effective communication the fighting there might stop.

I am a Trainer with the international Centre for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC at www.cnvc.org ) and am contributing right now as a coordinator for its activities in South and East Asia/Oceania. We feel hopeful the process we aim to live by and share, Nonviolent Communication or NVC, can support human beings everywhere towards developing the spiritual consciousness, personal competence and organisational skills required for all people to get their needs met and to resolve their conflicts peacefully.

My colleague, Chris Rajendram, mentioned that he has been having difficulty getting materials translated in such a way that they might be shared with the Tamil population in Sri Lanka. Also, he is short of Trainers who might work with various groups in order to support more peaceful negotiations taking place between people in that country.

I remain uncertain how this could be made to work, and I wondered if there might be Tamil people living in Singapore who might enjoy an opportunity to contribute to their brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka. You are most welcome to check out www.cnvc.org meanwhile in order to discover more about our movement. Warmest regards meanwhile

Response by tamilnation.org Vannakam. Many thanks for your email. As you may know we ourselves are based in UK � and our own remit as a website does not extend to engaging in the efforts that you envisage � though we certainly agree that a process of compassionate communication will further an understanding of the interests which each people seek to secure and in this way, may help to bring peoples together. One needs to truly understand the other before one can make oneself understood by the other. At the same time we are mindful that the ultimate concerns of most disputes are tangible conflicts of interest, and structural factors and that dialogues must therefore be placed in the context of the overall dynamics of conflict and conflict settlement. We are posting your email in our Comments page so that visitors to tamilnation.org may contact you directly should they want to help.

From: Kohila Yanasekaran [[email protected] ], 15 August 2006

I saw your website and was very impressed. I have a small request. I have been trying to get the books and movies of writer Jayakanthan but unable to do so. My mom who went to India recently tried few bookshops in Chennai but also not able to. Could you please tell me, where can I get the following books and movie

1. Oru nadigai nadagam parkiral ( book and movie)
2. Oorukku nooru per ( book and movie)
3. Paathai theriyuthu paar ( movie)

Please let me know whether I can get it online or do I have to write to someone, or do I have to write to writer Jayakanthan itself....If yes the contact number or address. Hope you will respond to my mail and be able to give me some details. Thanks so much...Really appreciate it.

Response by tamilnation.org Regretfully we ourselves have been unable to locate the information that you have requested. The books that you refer to are listed at Amazon.co.uk but unfortunately they are currently unable to offer the titles.We are posting your request in our comments page so that visitors to this website who may want to assist may contact you directly. We wish you well with your efforts.

From: Muthu Kumar, 11 August 2006

Dear Tamil Nation, It�s our collective responsibility to impart our cultural heritage to our younger generation, who are more westernized under social compulsions. Changes are inevitable but we should never allow our own culture, a precious pearl slip out of our hands and fall in the heap of cow dung lying unnoticed. While appreciating the concerns of Desiree Naidoo of the cultural decadence in the Tamil society in South Africa, our fraternity in South Africa is ready to show the right directions to our own younger generation. I have forwarded the concerns of Desiree Naidoo to Tamil Federation of Kwazulu, whose general secretary, Thiru Saths Chettiar in response to my email has written that the South African Tamil Federation together with the Tamil Federation of Kwazulu Natal are busy undertaking various activities to keep our culture intact there by organizing various programs to bring cultural unity among Tamils there.

The Federation continues with any work which affects Tamil people of South Africa, whether it is taking up issues with the Government or trying to sort out problems in temples. He has affirmed that while many people have no speaking knowledge of Tamil, there are many, who do have speaking as well as reading and writing knowledge. There are many organizations that propagate and perpetuate Tamil culture, language and religion. He has advised the younger generation to take sincere efforts to keep alive Tamil language and culture there. Desiree may take the advice of Thiru Saths Chettiar (in the right perspective and contact Tamil Federation, Kwazulu or South African Tamil Federation for keeping alive her passion for Tamil and culture there. Desiree must know that her voice is heard in India ( [email protected] ) and South Africa ( [email protected] ) because of our oneness as Tamil.

From: Lucio Mascarenhas, Goa, 6 August 2006

Neither the Aland example, nor any other precedent can work for Ceylon due to the intransigence of the Sinhala chauvinists. The only solution is full independence for the North & East, and the expulsion of Sinhala colonists from there. I earnestly pray to God for the success of the Eelam cause. As a Goan, agitating against the illegal and criminal invasion and occupation of Goa by India, I can understand what you are going through. We Goan patriots support you entirely.

From: A.Thangavelu, Canada, 4 August 2006

" தமிழ் தேசியம்.அமை - ஓரு வளர்கின்ற ஒன்றிணையம்"
திருத்தம்...
தமிழ் தேசியம்.அமைய - ஓரு வளர்கின்ற ஒன்றிணையம்
இது எப்படி?
தமிழ் தேசியம் வளர உழைக்கும் இணைய தளம்

Response by tamilnation.org The confusion is understandable. But தமிழ் தேசியம்.அமை is a translation/equivalent in Tamil of tamilnation.org . At present domain names are in English but Internationalised Domain Names have recommended the following Tamil equivalents for the common English domain name extensions - .net = இணை, .com = .வணி, and .org = .அமை and so on. These Tamil extensions have also had the the support of the International Forum for Information Technology in Tamil (INFITT). This explains the use of the term தமிழ் தேசியம்.அமை The word இணையம் also refers to the internet/world wide web.

From: An American Caucasian, Pondicherry, [ [email protected] ] 4 August 2006

Found your site last night. Although my daughter was born in Pondicherry, I'm a Caucasian USA citizen and I was very intrigued by Dinesh Agrawal's Demise of Aryan Invasion Theory. It is a radically fascinating presentation of facts - especially that Caucasians can be of all varieties of colour tone - dark to light. Then Dravidians are Caucasians. In America, Caucasian is synonymous with white. How do we undo convictions? How to undo the conviction that the mighty 'fair skin means passage' in India? How to re educate everywhere? I hope the facts about the Tamils of the Indus Valley and upper Afghanistan attracts more research. Keep up the great work. And while I'm at it, my husband and I want to do Tamil immersion....live in a Tamil home, and have at least four hours a day of reading, writing and speaking Tamil. Preferably Chennai or Pondicherry. Please just post for feedback. Thank you.

Response by tamilnation.org We are posting your request in our comments page so that visitors to this website who may want to assist may contact you directly. Meanwhile, you may find V.C.Vijayaraghavan comments on 'Who is a Tamil' of interest -

"...Dravidian as a western academic term refers to a linguistic family. To read it a as a racial group is a logical fallacy of monumental proportions. After all, none of the classical and pre-British colonial Tamil writers talk of of a 'Dravidian' race; so why should we? It was a 19th century European academic fallacy to equate a linguistic group with a racial group and which has been given up by European academics themselves; so let us not wallow in that fallacy. ..."

Other related pages at this site include The Dravidian Problem -Dr.D.M.Rasanagaiam, K.Nambi Arooran on The Origin of the Non-Brahmin Movement, 1905-1920, and Navaratna S. Rajaram and Davis Frawley on Vedic "Aryans" and the Origins of Civilization: A Literary and Scientific Perspective. Reviewing the latter book, Subramaniam Thambirajah said -

" The book poses a credible challenge to the Aryan invasion theory of India. Put forward by Max Muller in 1861, the theory holds that the decline and final disappearance of the Indus valley civilisation was caused by invasion of nomadic tribes from central Asia, the Aryans.... Ever since the theory was propounded by Muller, it has been viewed as a fact of history, one of the “givens” and hardly ever subjected to scientific investigation. The last is precisely what this book does: treats the assertions as theory and make it a subject of scientific inquiry...Max Muller�s invasion theory was based on one and only one source of evidence, linguistic evidence...

The area of research that Rajaram and Frawley have delved into is desperately in need of new approaches utilising a variety of methods. Unfortunately, incentives for such original work are scarce and problems of funding and bureaucracy are ubiquitous. The world of archaeology has been more interested in Egypt and South America than in Indology. Research into this area is important not only to clarify and understand history but also because human beings have an inherent need to know who they are, their origins and the history of their forefathers..."

From: Sri Ram [ [email protected] ], Malaysia, 28 July 2006

We are a group of students from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia planning to stage a drama on Lord Murugan's Valli Thirumanam under the patronage of Malaysian Tamil Arts Society. Its solely for charity purpose and to revive back the stage play industry in Malaysia. It would be a great help for us if we could get the stage play scripts of Valli Thirumanam in Tamil ( if there are any). Your help is very much appreciated.

Response by tamilnation.org We ourselves do not have the stage play script for Valli Thirumanam. However, we are posting your request in our Comments page so that visitors to this site, who may be able to help may contact you directly. We wish you well in your efforts.

From: S Rajvee, Special Correspondent, SUN NEWS, Chennai, 28 July 2006

Dear tamilnation, the service you are doing is wonderful. My sincere appreciation to your team to make this a continuing success. Thank you very much and my best wishes.

From: M.Ananthan, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 27 July 2006

This mail is with respect to Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan's life long ambition to play the role of Periyar - one of his unfulfilled desires. I would like dedicate this morphing picture (as Periyar) to Nadigar Thilagam on the 5th anniversary of Nadigar Thilagam's death.on 21 July 2001. Thank you for your understanding

From: Amie Barrodale [[email protected] ] 27 July 2006

I am trying to put together a story for the Kids issue of Vice magazine. We want to interview a child who is seeking or has gained political asylum in Australia. The piece will be done a first-person account about what they left, and what they have found. I thought you might be able to help me get in touch with a thoughtful and articulate child between the ages of 6 and 13. Please feel free to write to me or call with any questions or concerns. This issue closes Friday, so please respond at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your time.

Response by tamilnation.org Our remit does not extend to making the arrangements that you have requested. However we are posting your request in our Comments page so that visitors to this site, who may want to help may contact you directly.

From: Ravi Ravichandran, 27 July 2006

I wanted to bring to your notice Mr. Sujatha's effort to make his novels and collection of short stories available in e-Book format. It would be nice if you can mention this in your site. The URL is: www.writersujatha.com

Response by tamilnation.org Many thanks for pointing this out. We have now included the link in our Tamil Language & Literature page and also in the Tamil Nation Library

From: Muthu Kumar, 26 July 2006

Dear Tamilnation, I have read the views expressed by Desiree Naidoo of South Africa and her accolades to tamilnation.org. Its heartening to know that tamilnation.org sincerely and silently transforms the hearts of Tamils, who have hitherto adopted/adapted to the western and native culture due to social obligations and makes them understand the beauty of Tamil language and culture. The result is one Desiree today and thousands of Desirees tomorrow. I wish tamilnation.org all success in its efforts to bring our own ancient culture to the door steps of every Tamil around the globe. I wish Desiree Naidoo good luck.

From: Sachi Sri Kantha, Japan, 24 July 2006

I would appreciate if any of the Tamil Nation readers can provide information on where Pundit K.P.Ratnam (MP for Kilinochchi, 1965-1970; and consequently MP for Kayts, 1970-1983) is located now? If anyone has relevant information, I'd like to learn about it in this column.
Response by tamilnation.org We will forward any replies to Mr.Sachi Sri Kantha.

From: A Visitor from US, 22 July 2006

Hello, I stumbled upon your website and am fascinated and engrossed in it. Besides the teachings, I love the paintings by Jayalakshmi Satyendra. Do you have any idea as to where I could purchase reproductions of any of them? Thank you

Response by tamilnation.org Many thanks for your comments and for your interest. Regretfully, reproductions of Jayalakshmi Satyendra's paintings are not available.

From: Desiree Naidoo, South Africa, 21 July 2006

Dear Tamil Nation, Thank you very much for this website. I am a Tamil female currently in Johannesburg. South Africa is such a diverse country and Tamil people such a small part of this diversity. For this reason I feel that Tamils in South Africa have lost so much of our culture and values. I am ashamed that so many of us do not understand or appreciate our language and make no effort to keep our roots alive. I have no doubt that the percentage of people that understand Tamil gets less and less each year. This is a message to all the Tamils in South Africa - our language and culture is slowly becoming obsolete. We have altered and changed our beliefs, disrespected and ignored our language. Be proud in being Indian, be proud to be Tamil, pass the message to your friends and instill the pride in your children.

From: Gerard Aartsen, Amsterdam,Netherlands, 21 July 2006

Dear Madame/Sir, Yours is a very interesting website and a rich reference source which stretches well beyond strictly Tamil interests. I'm sure I will visit it regularly in the future. You might also be interested in what US author Alfie Kohn has to say about education ( www.alfiekohn.org ). See esp. his articles "Caring Kids" and "Challenging students", both available online in the Articles section. What struck me was that your online Library does not have an Education section, esp in the light of the number of references and pages dedicated to this subject. Best wishes.

From: Dr. S Ranganathan, [[email protected] ], 21 July 2006

My dear Tamilnation Brother: Tamil Vaazhga! I would like you to go to the following link and read this interview with one Mr. Venkatesan, who is a Dalit. What appalled me was the contempt of Mr. EV Ramasamy Naicker for my mother language, Tamil. He called it a barbaric language. I am disgusted that we, Tamilians, praise and hold him on a pedestal. And, I also found out that his mother-tongue was not even Tamil but Kannada. I am quoting the following taken out of Mr. EV Ramasamy Naicker�s book:

'For more than 40 years, I have been describing Tamil as a barbarous language (Kattumirandi Mozhi) used only by barbarians. When Brahmins and the Brahmin-dominated government wanted to make Hindi a State language, I started, to a very limited extent, advocating the promotion of Tamil language only to oppose the imposition of Hindi language. The only language that ought to replace Tamil is English. What is not there in English which can be found in Tamil Language?'

In the interests of fair play and balanced reporting, you must publish this. Nandri, Anbudan.

From: Kalaivani d/o Kandesan, Singapore, 17 July 2006

I am Singapore University undergraduate. Your website coverage on Thirumurai is excellent. http://www.sasthapillaigal.com/sgthirumurai/ is a forum dedicated to Thirumurai. It is designed by me and my friends on behalf of Thirumurai Maanadu Singapore.

Response by tamilnation.org Mikka Nanri. We wish you well with your Forum. We have included a link in our Thirumurai page.

From: Stacey Al Darmaki, Kingston, United Kingdom, 10 July 2006

I am currently conducting Phd research at Kingston University (UK) under the guidance of Mr Philip Spencer (Associate Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Science). I have spent the last three years carrying out secondary research into how the recruitment and use of children as soldiers is affected by the type of conflict and armed group with which they are involved (please see attached research outline) and am now looking to deepen my knowledge via primary research. I was hoping it would be possible for you to give me contact details of organisations/indivduals who may be prepared to assist me. I would like to set up meetings to discuss my research and complete an in-depth questionnaire. All assistance will be acknowledged, if wished, in any published work. I am available on [email protected]

Response by tamilnation.org Regretfully, our remit does not extend to making the arrangements that you have requested. However, we are posting your request in our Comments page so that visitors to this site who may want to help may contact you directly. We wish you well with your research efforts.

From: Thuvaragan Rajah, Colombo, Sri Lanka 4 July 2006

I am a Sri Lankan Tamil. I really like your website. I think its awesome. You are doing a great job with it - letting the world know the real struggle of our freedom fight. I have uploaded a video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvIQNz7DUqk about the terrorism in Sri Lanka by the government forces. Keep up the good work with your site.

From: Katie Turner, Assignment Editor, CNN [mailto:[email protected] ] , 27 June 2006

I'm looking for a contact for Anton Balasingham in the UK. CNN would like to do a television interview with him. Best regards,

Tel: +44 (0)207 693 1670
Mob: +44 (0)7990 516 474

Response by tamilnation.org Regretfully, our remit does not extend to making the arrangements that you have requested. However, we are posting your request in our Comments page so that visitors to this site who may want to help may contact you directly.

From: Kristin Anne Kunasingam,[ [email protected] ] Australia, 23 June 2006

I am a student at Monash University, Australia. I am in my Honours year at the moment and I'm doing research for my thesis regarding the Malaysian Indians. It would like your help in obtaining current statistics of the breakdown of Indian sub-groups in Malaysia. As of now I only have statistics of the breakdown of Indian sub-groups in 1970. I would really appreciate your help if you could point me in the direction where I am able to obtain this data. Thank you

Response by tamilnation.org We ourselves do not have the information that you have requested - apart ofcourse, from the information already available in our Tamil Diaspora - Malaysia page. However we are posting your request here so that visitors to this website who may be able to help may contact you directly. We wish you well in your efforts.

From: Serge Kamalen, [ [email protected] ] Reunion Island, 22 June 2006

I am French with Tamil origin and live in Reunion Island. I am a biology teacher and I am am a member of ACRI (Cultural Reunion India Association ). I learn Tamil and I am very fond of Tamil culture. I plan to visit South Africa with my family from 20 July and 12 August and want to meet Tamil family in South Africa to have exchanges. In Reunion I have met a Tamilian delegation from South Afrika an I will be very happy to meet Tamil people in South Africa. Maybe you can help me to success my project.

Response by tamilnation.org We are posting your email here so that visitors to this website from South Africa who may be able to help may contact you directly. Additionally, our South Africa page may provide you with some information which may be helpful.

From: Prof Dr S Ramalingam, Tamil Nadu, 22 June 2006

I have visiting your site for quite some time and I realise you really do some WONDERFUL service to Tamil and the Tamil community throughout the world. Keeping all Tamils in the world updated everyday with a lot of very useful information is really a COMMENDABLE service.

Response by tamilnation.org Mikka Nanri.

From: Hiroshi Gunathilake, Berghof Foundation for Conflict Studies, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 19 June 2006

I would like to order 2 copies of "The Fall and Rise of the Tamil Nation by V.Navaratnam", published by the Tamilian Library, Montreal and Toronto - 1995 . Could you please let me know how should I make the payment. Thanking you

Response by tamilnation.org We ourselves do not stock or sell the books listed on our tamilnation library pages.. You may want to address your purchase inquiry to the address which appears in the page listing Mr.Navaratnam's book..

From: Rev B.J.Alexander, London, United Kingdom, 8 June 2006

I was pleased to read Alvapillai Velupillai's reflections. Its been quite some while I had been trying to get hold of the following paper authored by him - 'Some notes on Maravar Connections with Northern Illankai'. Of course, I sent an email to [email protected]. Now I know why it was returned. I wonder whether the good professor would make it available please to the likes of us with research inclinations to read and take note of our Maravar ancestries. Nanri, Vannakam

From: Sachi Sri Kantha, Japan, 8 June 2006

To my fellow Tamil readers: Recently, I have noticed a rather disturbing trend of my contributions to tamilnation.org, being plagiarized and posted in other websites and chat forums without proper acknowledgement to the author and to tamilnation.org. This need to be protested. I happened to see that segments of my thumb-nail sketches on minor Tamil militant groups which I included in the LTTE's 30th birth anniversary essay posted in early May 2006, have made their way into the Wikipedia entry on Tamil militant groups without any acknowledgment to the original source. This is only one specific example. I have also noted chunks of quite a couple of my previous contributions also appearing in other chat forums, without acknowledgement to the author. I earnestly request that those over-enthusiastic readers who carry out such 'cut and paste' contributions, without consulting me, need to curtail such deeds. I can understand the urge to cite some of my thoughts. But, it is far better to think and write one's own thoughts rather than skimming from someone else - without acknowledgement.

From: Professor Alvapillai Velupillai, Arizona, USA, 7 June 2006

I have been a regular reader and admirer of tamilnation.org. I have not contributed till now on the problem of the Tamils in Lanka. I feel that it is my duty to come out and contribute my mite for the cause of the Tamil people. I am sending my article titled "Reflections on the shedding of Tamil blood for fifty years in Sri Lanka" as an attachment.

Response by tamilnation.org Many thanks for your comments and for your contribution. Mikka Nanri.

From: Nagata Shojiro, InterVision Institute, Japan 6 June 2006

http://www.tamilnation.org/culture/kolam.htm is a very interesting webpage. I am very interested in Kolam and then learned something about it and want to make a meeting/symposium in Japan This symposium will focus to discuss and exchange the interdisciplinary interesting issues on scientific, art, cultural etc in Folk (traditionally culture, ethnological) art in the world. Folk art includes any designs for textile, clothes, decorations, painting, furniture; other ornament works for decorating, representing some stories. For example, floor painting Kolam (Tamil Nadu, South India), Celtic knot design (Europe), sand painting Sona (Central Africa), Nitus (Vanuatu, South Pacific Oceania), OlziiHee (Mongolia), Chinese knots (China), Takara-mon/Mizuhiki (Japan) as well as Arabesque design.

Most of design has geometric, periodical, cyclic, symmetrical, and recursive properties, which possess rich religious or aesthetic features as well as mathematical or scientific features. For example, these knot/string patterns have some open-problems, different from Eurien Cycle, as topics in knot/link theory yet now, or like a problem of 17 wallpapers.

These designs will be useful for modern lives as ornament works, and also educating or training of cognitive power of the brain, for children and handicap persons or will be a hint for understanding biological structures. We will discuss on how to draw/create such patterns and applications in industry or education as well.

Exhibition by authors or other presenters at the Demo corner would be greatly welcomed, for example, real paintings, ornament works, drawing CG or tangle objects/toys etc. Papers are solicited for, but not limited to, the above topics. Please visit Japan to attend this meeting and see Japanese Arts - InterVision Institute at http://intervision.aadau.net/

From: Selvarajan Veerasamy, Malaysia, 2 June 2006

Thank you for hosting this website. Vannakam to all Tamilians. In Malaysia, 90% died in the early migration from India to Malaya due to diseases from malaria and other reasons. The 10% who survived continued to become formidable by learning new things from another civilization, the Chinese and the others that they came in contact with. Still we are a second class citizen here. But in Sri Lanka, the Tamils know what it means to exist as a nation with self respect. In India, Tamil Nadu has become tame, an old tiger. But the Tamils of Eelam have brought back the Tamilian's prestige as a noble race that will not bow down to slavery (opposite to freedom) but can be equal to any other in the world. Most of the nations that oppose the struggle for Tamil Eelam do so because of their own agenda. They have forgotten how they fought for their own survival and subjugated others. Now they want to dictate to the world how things should be. Eelam Tamils have made the Tamils proud. I mourn for those who have died and who have given their lives for others to survive. But upon this sacrifice a legitimate nation will be born. Thank You, Warmest Regards.

From Shalini Kunahlan, Australia, 26 May 2006

I am a Tamil Sri Lankan who lives in Malaysia. My grandparents immigrated from Jaffna to Malaysia 80 years ago. I am currently studying in Australia and doing my honours in English literature. I am in the process of writing an essay using your website to demonstrate how the Tamil diaspora (focusing on the Australian example) use new media to subvert hegemonic discourses (represented by the 'info war' between the Sri Lankan army's official website and the LTTE's official website) of the civil war in Sri Lanka. I will be using your website to show how it has allowed the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora to affirm 'effectively' and 'subversively' their political and cultural identity.

I was wondering if you could provide me with some information about your website. Mainly its history, I understand that the creators of the website (being diasporic media) must come from different parts of the world but if you could give me some basic information and anything else you could kindly suggest, e.g.

- Who or which group of people from which nation came up with the idea of the website, when was it created and why ( from your personal viewpoint)?
- Is there a group of people who are actively involved with the construction and upkeep of the website who are based in Australia?

The essay is still very much in its rudimentary stages, so if you do not mind more emails coming your way asking for more info, it would be greatly appreciated. I chose to do the essay as I wanted to learn more about my history and heritage. Growing up in Malaysia, the educational system did not really favour non-Malay heritage... to say the least..... all the same... the process of research is proving to be very enlightening as well as heart wrenching...

Response by tamilnation.org Firstly, we would like to wish you well in your research efforts - more so because it was impelled by your felt need to learn more about the history and heritage of the people to whom you belong.

A couple of years ago we were at a lecture by Professor Liah Greenfield at the London School of Economics. The subject was 'Nationalism and the Mind'. She began by relating a story. She said that she usually commenced her discussions on Nationalism at her University by asking her students to draw a pictogram depicting what they thought nationalism was about. She said that most of the pictograms submitted by the students showed flags, people with guns and so on. Professor Greenfield then said that at the end of her discussion she would make the same request to her students - draw a pictogram. She said that on the second occasion the pictogram changes completely: the students draw a globe and little unarmed people, who sometime say things like: �oh, my identity!�

We can understand you when you say that your search is proving to be 'enlightening' and also 'heart wrenching'. We have been there. tamilnation.org itself started in a not dissimilar way. Its beginnings reflected many years of asking questions.

Every inside has an outside - and every outside has an inside. And the relationship between the two is intrinsic and not extrinsic. In the inside is the outside, and in the outside is the inside. We grow to be what we are not simply by ourselves but through our interaction with others. No man or woman is an island. The material in tamilnation.org was originally intended simply as a help to give coherence and meaning to one's own life - it was a way of writing and putting together material in a computer so that it may be easily accessible for further reflection, understanding and growth. It was not originally created with the intention of being published in the world wide web. But something that we came across whilst waiting in a Doctor's waiting room in May 1998 had some impact on our decision to publish. It was a quote from Victor Frankl's Man Search for Ultimate Meaning.

"...happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side effect of one's personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by product of one's surrender to a person other than oneself. Happiness must happen... you have to let it happen by not caring about it. I want you to listen to what your conscience commands you to do and go on to carry it out to the best of your knowledge..."

tamilnation.org was first published on 10 May 1998 and we have endeavoured to listen to what our conscience commands and to carry it out to the best of our ability. That is not to say that we have always succeeded. We comfort ourselves with the thought that we can learn only through our mistakes. And we are always mindful that words which are not related to our deeds are not of much value.

"..The task of intellectuals in nations without states involves the constant actualization of the nationalist ideology to respond to the community's needs. His or her job is one of service to society..." Nations without States: Political Communities in a Global Age, by Montserrat Guibernau ".

We seek to serve and the warm support that we have received from many people from many lands during the past several years has been humbling - and has also sustained us in our efforts.

From: Anuradha Radhakrishnan, India 26 May 2006

I have a special child who is very much interested in Tamil. He learnt English very fast with a 'text to speech' software and expects the same with our language also. Where can I get the Tamil text to speech software?

Response by tamilnation.org Some research has been done in this area e.g. Thirukkural II - A Text-to-Speech Synthesis System - and this research continues. But regretfully we ourselves do not have much more information on current availability. Kural Software at http://kstarsoft.com/products.htm advertises Oosai as a free Tamil Text to Speech Engine but we ourselves have not tried it out. B. Viswanathan, Director, www.azhagi.com, who is knowledgeable and helpful in these matters may be able to point you in the right direction. Additionally you may want to have a look at Learning Tamil � Cemmozhi at http://www.letuslearntamil.com/ We wish you well with your efforts.

From: Suresh Mani, Tamil Nadu, 26 May 2006

Vannakam, Today I accidentally came across tamilnation.org. It is really interesting and exciting. I am really proud to know that Tamilians all over the world are keeping their culture intact. After going through the website I am beginning to think of visiting Fiji. .Thank you.

From: Manuel Mariampillai, Matottam a.k.a Mannar, 24 May 2006

I listened to "Thamilikum Amilthendru Peyar" (தமிழுக்கும் அமுதென்று பேர்) song from your website after many many years..Suffice it to say I was moved. Especially as we grieve the death of Col Ramanan of Batticaloa.

I also read another appreciation in the form of an Ode to Dr Brian. I wonder whether Tamil Nation would honour Dr Brian by including him as an honorary Tamil and global citizen and place his name under 100 significant Thamilar. In a time when a few Tamils are willing to pawn our goal, our gratitude should be shown to Dr Brian in every way we can. He is genuinely a straight talking self-less man! It from this intrinsic quality that courage emanates.

I'm a great rasikan of Seergazhi Govindarajan. I wonder whether any one would know where to get a quality recording of Parathiyar padalgal sung by him. With much appreciation.

From: N. Muthu Kumar, New Delhi, India [[email protected] ], 23 May 2003

...tamilnation.org is more or less a life line to the Tamil people living in this beautiful globe. Like my relatives in South Africa, I had lost contact with my friend from Germany. Her name is Regine Schwichtenberg. If any one from Germany could find her email address, I will be happy. I am sure, someone from Germany, who reads tamilnation.org will definitely help me. Once again, I thank tamilnation.org for all its efforts to reunite Tamils every where.

From: M. Raghavendran, Bangalore, India, 22 May 2006

I have visited you site, really nice one and Kalki's PDF Collection is really good. I appreciate if you would do the same thing with Sandiliyan's novels. Thanks and Regards.

From: Lakshmi Mani, Tamil School, Aberdeen, United Kingdom 20 May 2006

I was looking through the web for some tips on Tamil language teaching, having recently started a Tamil school in Aberdeen, UK. Your site provides excellent and useful information for beginner teachers like me. I thank all of you responsible for putting this website together. We started the Tamil school in Aberdeen with a view of teaching our children their mothertongue. It has proved increasingly difficult to have a structured programme because of the varying age group and capabilities of the children. The Tamil speaking population is very minimal in Aberdeen and sometimes it feels like every child would benefit from their own individual learning plan!! However your website offers structured lesson patterns and useful tips. I am very happy and grateful for being able to benefit it. I thank you all once again on behalf of the Tamil School, Aberdeen.

From: Mariam Manuel Pillai, Matottam a.k.a Mannar, 17 May 2006

Sir: I join with tamilnation.org to salute the Sinhala gentleman Dr Brian Senewiratne. It is by honoring a courageous, courteous and courtly man such as him that we Tamils not only reveal our gratitude but also bow in humility honoring 'the brotherhood of man'. An Australian-resident cousin of mine, who happens to know Dr Brian closely said that the good doctor is also a fighter for the rights of the Australian aborigines (among other things). O! how I wish there will be more Brians in our community - the ones who are deeply touched and moved by common humanity. That will be divine. May God bless Brian Senewiratne!

From: Leslie Kanthan, Warwick, United Kingdom 16 May 2006

Thanks for your very many great articles - they were very touching in both spirit and soul. I recently had a phone conversation with Brian Senewiratne who informed me that he has had a lot of death threats from various Sinhalese hardliners. He was speaking the truth and expressing his point of view on the war as it is his right to, but it seems that there are those that do not wish him to say anything that contradicts the will of the Sinhalese people. I thought I should write this to you, in the hope that you would give an appreciation comment for Brian for the good work that he has done in bringing to light, to all governments, the atrocities being committed by the Sri-Lankan government on our Tamil people. He suffers with us.
Response by tamilnation.org For many decades, Brian Senewiratne has stood up for the Tamil cause and has given expression to his own anguish at the suffering of the Tamil people. He has done so, despite death threats, physical attacks on his medical office in Australia, and vulgar abuse by Sinhala thugs. He has had the courage to openly stand up for that which he knows to be the truth and he has been willing to suffer for that which he believes to be right. tamilnation.org salutes Brian Senewiratne for his consistent, principled and fearless stand for the rights of Eelam Tamils.

From: Viswanath Natrajan [ [email protected] ] Canada, 15 May 2006

Vanakkam and Namaskarams. I live in Toronto, Canada since 6 years. My name is Viswanath Natrajan and have lived in Madras during 1952-1958. I am reaching 70 this September. I have been trying to search for a wonderful Tamil song. To my recollection it was sometime in the 50s. It goes like this

" Kadamayai Maravadey Manidha........
Amma Amma Endru Azhudhal Awal Kanneer Arayi Perugi Unnay Attriduval
Immanidam Thannil Edu Ethu Uravu Ethu...." .and so on..

I dont fully remember the lyrics. Can you help me find this song and from which film and if I can get a record or tape. This probably was an MGR starring film. May be Sri.Kannadasan wrote the song ? I am not sure. I need your help so that I can send this to my aged mother (91 years old) in Coimbatore. I wanted this earlier to coincide with Mother's day, however even if I get it anytime, it will be useful as I will make my mother proud of my stay in this world. Regards and good wishes

Response by tamilnation.org Regretfully, we ourselves do not have the information that you have requested. However we are publishing your email in our comments page so that visitors to this website who may be able to help may contact you directly. We wish you well in your efforts.

From: Chandiravarman Sinnathurai, Tontaimannarru, 3 May 2006

Dear Editor. It was by sheer coincidence I bumped into an article penned by your good self. I very much appreciated the principles that are out lined in the article. While reading one of the hyper- links re Thimpu talks I read the following words: "composition of the Tamil delegation - Mr.Nadesan Satyendra and Mr.Charles Antony Das represented TELO." I must say I was slightly taken aback! I might be wrong but I have read and heard all things bad about such groups. But again I might have read and heard the wrong stuff. I'll be the first to claim fallibility. God bless!

Response by tamilnation.org On the role of TELO you may find the article Sri Sabaratnam - Revisited of interest.

"...Though Sri Sabaratnam was not unmindful of India's own foreign policy objectives and the inherent weakness of 'thongura power', he took the view that as TELO built up its strength, it would be in a better position to push forward its demand for Tamil Eelam. In the end, Sri Sabaratnam failed because he failed to build TELO into a disciplined, strong guerrilla force with the capacity to withstand Indian pressure. He failed because he failed to prevent Indian Agencies from establishing their own direct links with TELO cadres at every level. He failed where Velupillai Pirabaharan succeeded. Velupillai Pirabaharan succeeded not because the LTTE had not obtained assistance from New Delhi but because the LTTE had taken care to build its own strength and in this way secure the integrity of the struggle. The words of Subhas Chandra Bose about Jawarhalal Nehru come to mind: "...If he really wants to serve..., he must first of all make sure of his foundations. For if he doesn't take care to seek solid ground under his feet, the ground won't seek his feet either: consequently, he will never be able to stand perpendicular anywhere..." (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, quoted in the Lost Hero, a Biography of Subhas Bose by Mihir Bose, Quartet Books, 1982) " more

From: Jai Sree [[email protected] ], 3 May 2006

I am Sumathi. I am engaged in researching Tamil poets. I need some details for Namakkal Kavinjar Ramalingam Pillai, particularly a list of his publications. I hope you are able to help. Thanking you.
Response by tamilnation.org You will find some information at http://www.tamilnation.org/hundredtamils/nammakal.htm You will also find in that page, links to 251 of his songs in tscii, unicode and pdf.

From: Murugesu Sivapalan, Professor of Geography and Civil and Environmental Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA, 1 May 2006

Today I found this article in the Hindu - "3,500 Year Old Indus Script Found in Tamil Nadu" - it is an important find in spite of the current predicament of the Tamils in Sri Lanka. I have a lot of respect for Mr Iravadam Mahadevan, who has deciphered the Indus Valley Script, and also the Tamil-Brahmi script found in cave engravings in Tamil Nadu (cf.his Harvard University Press book).

From: Kalaimuthu Kalai [[email protected] ] 20 April 2006

Hi ... I just finished reading Narayan Swamy's Into an Elusive Mind, and was wondering why India sent Sikh troops into Sri Lanka as a major part of their IPKF ... was this a reciprocation for Tamil troops who staged the siege of the Golden Temple at Amristar during the Akali Dal insurrection. Is there more to this?

From: Francis Baumli [[email protected]], 16 April 2006

I first discovered your website only a few days ago. The anecdote about, "The Buddha Smiled," is most interesting. Would you please answer (or attempt to answer) two questions I have about this? First, from where did you get the quote? I note you give translation copyright to Dharmamitra, but there is no reference to a specific book. I would be interested in being able to obtain and read this book.
Second, do you have any idea as to why the Tamil Kalam, a Muslim nuclear scientist, chose the words, "the Buddha has smiled," to describe that nuclear test?

Response by tamilnation.org The 'anecdote' quoted in "The Buddha Smiled," is from the Buddhist Sutras. You will find additional information at Kalavinka Dharma Treasury and also in the Kalavinka page titled The Buddha's Smile . As to why Abdul Kalam chose this particular code (if indeed it was he who chose it) must remain a matter for conjecture. Perhaps it was the enigmatic nature of the smile which attracted him - and the paradox of the land of Gandhi (and non violence)developing its own nuclear armoury. You may also find the book Smile of the Buddha : Eastern Philosophy and Western Art from Monet to Today by Jacquelyn Baas and Robert A. F. Thurman of interest.

"There are all manner of causes and conditions whereby one may smile. There are those who are delighted and therefore smile. There are those who are afflicted with anger and therefore smile. One may feel contempt for others and therefore smile. One may witness strange events and therefore smile. One may observe embarrassing situations and therefore smile. It may happen that one sees strange customs from other lands and therefore smile. It may also happen that one witnesses rare and difficult undertakings and thus is caused to smile".

From: B. Viswanathan, Tamil Nadu, 14 April 2006

I got a call from Ed Viswanathan ( www.amiahindu.com ) from New Orleans 3 days back and it was such a pleasant surprise. He talked for about 20 mts explaining about his book, the touching emails he receives, the translation work going on for it in Hindi and Indonesian languages etc. The thing is that he has passed out from REC Calicut in 1967 (the year I was born) while I passed out from the same institute in 1989. Its thru tamilnation.org that Ed Viswanathan could get to know about our senior-junior relationship. It must be a great feeling for you to see tamilnation.org working out such a chain of relationships.

I gave an interview to Microsofts' Bhasha India, 2 months back when they wished to write about me on their 'Success Stories' column. Nothing special about it except that I am sharing it with you. :) It was a telephonic interview and I said whatever came to my mind at that point of time. Different times, different circumstances, different atmosphere and a different kind of interview. :) If time permits, you can go thru at http://www.bhashaindia.com/Patrons/SuccessStories/Vishwanathan.aspx
The term 'team' wherever I have referred in my interview is my supporting family members and friends, my gods and my 1000s of well-wishers like you.

வாழ்க வளமுடன் தாங்கள்! என் இனிய தமிழ் புத்தாண்டு வாழ்த்துக்கள் இப்பொழுதே - உங்களுக்கும், உங்கள் குடும்பத்தாருக்கும், நண்பர்களுக்கும். தமிழ்நேஷனின் சீரிய பணி தொடர்ந்து பலருக்கும் நன்மை பயத்திட என்றென்றும் பிரார்த்தனைகள்.
அழியா அன்புடன், விஷி - Vishy ( www.azhagi.com )

From: Gunapalan, Australia, 5 April 2006

I read your comprehensive coverage of the late thespian Shivaji Ganeson. It was wonderful and felt an immense sense of satisfaction. For Shivaji was my idol and I take great pride of the fact he was a Tamilian as I am proudly one. The extraordinary thing about Shivaji is his face. It moulds perfectly into any role or character with great perfection. You can get many handsome faces but not like Shivaji in this life time. If God needs to create a human being to act it is Shivaji.

From: Claude Martineau,Gatineau, Quebec, Canada 4 April 2006

Dear Editor, I salute the courage of Fr. ChandiRavarman as he denounces the corruption of State terrorism which will stop at nothing to make money, even the traffic of human parts! In Canada, it is a blessing that so many Tamils are part of our national life and I pray that the Canadian people will rise with strong support in favor of those Tamils who are in desperate need of compassion. .

From: Chandiravarman Sinnathurai, Tontaimannarru, TE, 3 April 2006

Your eloquent rebuttal to the brain-dead Human Rights Watch through the camera lens was subtle and smart. I also found in another page you have published two photographs depicting that

1) every outside has an inside, and
2) every inside has an outside.

One finds that to be a superb philosophical illustration of the existential reality especially in our conflict ridden corner of the earth. God bless!

From: Professor Aaron Rajah, San Diego, California, 27 March 2006

Thanks for your contribution on the Human Rights Watch report. As always your silent attack on injustice to the Tamil people was well received by your audience. Pictures do tell the story. In addition, as always Professor Sachi Sri Kantha did complete his task once again by highlighting the pit falls of the HRW report.

From: A Concerned Tamil, United Kingdom, 23 March 2006

Thank you for the hyperlinked powerful and illuminating words in "As it happens…". Why are the Peace Talkers less clear in their current discourse? Is it the sophistication of cerebral word-play which clouds our original goal? I remember an old Tamil movie in which Cho says to his brother-turned-politician: "Thambi, I'm sure you'll be successful in the field of politics because now you have learnt to speak the language of sophistication so that no one understands what you are saying". These following words ring so true with clarity. Thimpu to Geneva...a long walk perhaps!

"We have said this before to the international community and we say it again, here at Thimpu, we do not plead for justice. We do not beg for fairness. We know that justice will prevail in the end - and we have confidence and faith in that process."

"But we do seek to engage you, in that fruitful exchange of views, so that you may come to understand the reality that confronts both you and us - that we, too, are a people."

"Please understand that this is no abstract theory. This is no abstract principle. It is the existential reality of a certain consciousness of the Tamils in the island of Sri Lanka - a consciousness that has been shaped in the crucible of a continuing struggle."

"We say, very respectfully, and without rancour, please understand that we too are a people and please deal with us on that basis, or not at all."

"We, for our part, wish to make it clear to you, that we speak at Thimpu on behalf of the Tamil people or not at all."

From: B. Viswanathan, Director, www.azhagi.com, Tamil Nadu, 15 March 2006

I read the mail of Mr.N. Muthu Kumar narrating how tamilnation.org has helped in locating his lost relatives from Durban. What a wonderful service you have done! It was so emotional a thing to read. How happy Mr.N.Muthu Kumar would have felt. Amazing! Please share the same happiness you have expressed as mine too, with Mr.N.Muthu Kumar. "yaadhum oore yaavarum kaeLir" - யாதும் ஊரே யாவரும் கேளிர் . anbudan

From: Ed Viswanathan, Author of Am I a Hindu?, 15 March 2006

Vanakkam Tamil Nation: I accidentally stumbled upon your website and I am impressed by the contents. Articles published on your site are thought provoking. Keep up the good work. May God bless you in your efforts.

From: Stephen Denman, 14 March 2006

Hello There. Can you please tell me what the translation of the following Tamil words mean - Tamil Aham, Tolkappiyam, Cilappadhikaran. Your help would be much appreciated.

Response by tamilnation.org First the easier ones - Tolkappiyam is a Tamil Grammatical treatise and "at least in parts is the earliest work in Tamil. It is a book on phonology, grammar and poetics. " Cilappadhikaran is one of the five great Tamil Epics. As for 'Tamil Aham', in Tamil, Aham and Puram are the inside and outside - and they go together. Of the eight anthologies five are on Akam, two on Puram, and one on both. And for many Tamils, 'Tamil Aham' is an expression of the Tamil inside in the outside.

From: Kundavi Sandrasegaran, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 9 March 2006

Dear tamilnation.org, You are doing a wonderful job for all our Tamilians! Keep at it! I had been advised to say the 'Gayathri Manthiram ' and given only the words. I am delighted to read the word for word - meanings now in 'our ' website. It makes a big difference to me now every time I say the Gayathri Manthiram knowing what I am reciting - thanks to you. Mikka Nandri.

From: Vereshnee Richen, South Africa [mailto:[email protected]], 8 March 2006

Vannakam.I am a Masters student at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. I am completing this degree in the social sciences discipline, and my thesis is entitled "The Kavadi ritual-Performance of a changing identity" I wanted to mail you, because I happened across this site, and am in awe at the rich content, which will prove extremely resourceful when doing my research. I would like to know if there is perhaps someone that I could correspond with regularly, who can act as one of my key informants. I would appreciate the assistance from someone whose knowledge on this particular subject matter exceeds my own.

Response by tamilnation.org Regretfully we ourselves do not make arrangements of the kind you envisage. However we are posting your request in our comments page so that any visitor to the site who may want to help may contact you directly. We wish you well in your research project.

From: Ravjee N Chandresh, Unilever, South Africa 8 March 2006

Firstly, congratulations on a powerfully informative website. I must admit, that the website is quite "busy" with lots of stuff, but as you work your way around, the immense information is GREAT !!! I am a South African of Indian (Gujarat) origin looking for information on Sage Yogaswami, in terms of his teachings, his disciples, how/where to find a Guru from his lineage. Thank you

Response by tamilnation.org Many thanks for your comments.You will find some information at Yogaswami - the Sage from Eelam and also at Iraivan Temple, Kauai, Hawaii - Satguru Subramuniyaswami, the founder of the Hawaii temple was a disciple of Sage Yogaswami.

From: N. Muthu Kumar, New Delhi, India, 3 March 2006

Dear tamilnation.org, I have posted my comments felicitating the efforts taken by you in uniting the Tamil people all around the world in the second week of February. You have also helped me in publishing the same along with a letter addressed in general to Durban Tamils. I made a request through the letter to Durban Tamils to help me in locating my lost relatives from Durban. Your help did not go in vain. With the grace of God, a niece of mine from USA came upon your website and informed her father. Her father and I are the third generation of the family and he sent an email to me. Its a miracle.The familes got separated for five decades (50 years), thanks to the political turmoil then in South Africa. Now we are getting ready for a reunion. Many Tamils from Durban encouraged me in the mission of finding out my relatives, notably, Mr. Sershan Naidoo, Mrs. Margaret Chetty, Mrs. Kamsiliya Arumugam and Mr. Saths Chettiar of Durban. Also Mrs. Tascika Pillai of Sunday Times, South Africa. I convey my gratitude to tamilnation.org as well as to the above mentioned persons, without whose prayer and sincerity, I could not have found my relatives. I wish tamilnation.org great success and I hope that tamilnation.org will herald a new path for the people of Tamil origin all over world and make them understand our culture and the bonds that they have with the motherland. I have no words to express my gratitude to tamilnation.org.

Response by tamilnation.org We are truly glad and we share in your happiness. Comments such as yours, touch and move - and sustain us in our mission. Mikka Nanri. For the Tamil people, the world is in many ways, a 'One World'. It is a 'One World' not because we are not Tamils, it is a 'One World' because we are Tamils. It is a One World, because as Tamils, living in many lands and across distant seas, our life experiences have given fresh meaning to the words of the Tamil poet Kanniyan Poongundran in Purananuru (poem 192), written more than two thousand years ago -

"To us all towns are one, all men our kin.
Life's good comes not from others' gift, nor ill
Man's pains and pains' relief are from within.
Death's no new thing; nor do our bosoms thrill
When Joyous life seems like a luscious draught.
When grieved, we patient suffer; for, we deem
This much - praised life of ours a fragile raft
Borne down the waters of some mountain stream
That o'er huge boulders roaring seeks the plain
Tho' storms with lightnings' flash from darken'd skies
Descend, the raft goes on as fates ordain.
Thus have we seen in visions of the wise ! -
We marvel not at greatness of the great;
Still less despise we men of low estate."

English Translation by Rev. G.U.Pope
in Tamil Heroic Poems

From: Chandi Sinnathurai, 1 March 2006

I wish to thank you for the detailed hard work you put into every article. I actually thought the Looking for Loopholes piece will not see the light of day - in the diaspora media. Thank you again for upholding free thought. With out free speech and independent thought, Eelam will be peopled by navel gazers. I pray for the independence of our people in the land of milk and honey.

From: குயின்ரஸ் துரைசிங்கம், Canada, 27 February 2006

On Sanmugam Sabesan's ஜனநாயகமும் பயங்கரவாதமும்: மிகச்சிறந்த ஒரு ஒப்பீட்டாய்வு. நல்ல தமிழோட்டம், வலிய கருத்துக்கள், சர்வதேசத்தின்பால் தெளிவான ஆளமான பார்வை. இக்கட்டுரையை ஆங்கிலத்திலும் சமகாலத்தில் பிரசுரிப்பதற்கு சபேசன் அவர்கள் ஆவன செய்வது காலத்தின் தேவையாக உள்ளது. இந்தக் கட்டுரை மட்டுமல்ல, இதுபோன்ற சபேசனின் ஆய்வுகள் அனைத்தையும், ஆங்கிலத்திலும் பிரசுரிப்பது அவசியம் என்றே நினைக்கிறேன். நேரமும் வாய்ப்புக்களும் மூலகாரணிகளும் இருக்கின்றதா என்பது எனக்குத் தெரியவில்லை. ஆனால், இவற்றை ஆங்கிலத்தில் வழங்கவேண்டிய அவசர தேவை இருக்கின்றதென்பது மட்டும் உண்மை. அதனால், இதற்காக ஆவன செய்வீர்களென நம்புகின்றேன். மீண்டும் வாழ்த்துக்கள்.

From: N.Balasubramaniam, GE Healthcare, 21 February 2006

This site information is excellent - especially the history of Tamil. Thanks.

From: B. Viswanathan, Tamil Nadu, 17 February 2006

After reading "Don't aim at success - the more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it...." - Victor E. Frankl, who endured years of unspeakable horror in Nazi death camps, writing in 'Man's Search for Ultimate Meaning'", I wish to write what I feel about success myself:

"Success should never be quantified or qualified. Success is not what others feel about something you do but what you yourself think or not think about it - deep deep deep within the deepest depths of your heart, probably when you 'realise your self'. To put it more precisely, from an absolute point of view, success does not exist. It just does not exist. As simple as that."

Actually, I went thru so many sections of your site - quite absorbed by your meetings with Jiddu Krishnamurthy, the drawings by our sister, the Gayathri Mantra explanation and so many wonderful quotes from wonderful people. At a first glance at tamilnation.org, nobody will realise that there lies an underlying treasure-house of spiritual knowledge. Simply rejuvenating!

From: Dr B Sri Skanda Rajah, & Usha S Sri Skanda Rajah, Canada, 16 February 2006

Reading (having seen it only recently) Reverend Chandi Sinnathurai�s �Eelam Encounters� made us wish we were there in Eelam.We could almost smell the �pure� air in Kilinochchi in his writings. The �Santhippu� episodes reveal one common thread. From the exemplary and genuine people he interviewed and from their zeal, zest and supreme vision one thing was certain - the country called Eelam is worth defending, fighting and waiting for! We wish to thank the Reverend for documenting such a real and inspiring �feel good� story and tamilnation.org for the unparalleled service it�s rendering to its readers! With Best Wishes

From: Nadarajah Muralitharan, Canada, 15 February 2006

I found tamilnation.org very recently - and after that I often read it. I really appreciate your contribution to alleviate the suffering of the Tamil people all over the world. Please, don't give up.

From: A.K. Rajagopalan, Nilarchal, 14 February 2006

The service done by tamilnation.org to Tamil and the Tamil people is great. The vast information provided by the site is very useful.

From: B. Viswanathan, Tamil Nadu, 14 February 2006

This is Viswanathan here, Author of 'Azhagi' Tamil Software. First of all, my heart goes out for those who have been kidnapped and missing. I pray to the Lord Almighty that things return to normalcy and peace prevails. Secondly, thanks for mentioning about ALL Tamil software which no other site does. This shows your broadmindedness and my hats off to you for such an attitude. Wishing peace everywhere.

From: Raja Kotravan, Tamil Nadu, India, 13 February 2006

I have read your articles at tamilnation.org and they are extremely good. I would like to express my good wishes for the wonderful job you have been doing. I like my language. I am proud to be a Tamilian. Please continue your wonderful work for the people who are still under the illusion that Sanskrit is the mother language of all others.

From: Salime, France, 13 February 2006

I would like to congratulate you for the tremendous effort you have made on your site for Tamil culture. I am a Tamil living in France. I have created a website about India in French www.inde-en-ligne.com I would like to show French people the richness of Tamil culture in various domains. India is not only the North, they should discover the south as well and especially the state of Tamilnadu. Recently, in France, we were lucky to see the first musical about India - �Bharati�. They talked about various traditions of India (Varanasi, Sikh, Krishna, Kalaripayat) but nothing from Tamilnadu. At least, the sacred classical dance of Bharathanatyam could have been mentioned. I was a bit upset but the overall performance was fabulous. Many things come from the Dravidians: Ayurveda, Yoga, Bharathanatyam, Thirukkural, Silambam, Carnatic Music, Siddhanta (something which interest me a lot). It is in coming to a foreign country that I realized how rich is/was my country of origin.

From: N. Muthu Kumar, New Delhi, India [[email protected] ], 13 February 2006

It is a wonderful effort of tamilnation.org to bring Tamils living in many lands for decades under one umbrella and help them understand Tamil culture. With the pace of technology, all Tamils have the opportunity to read and understand the feelings of every other Tamil. I have some thing to tell to Tamils living in South Africa to help me to find out my relatives with whom we have had no communication for decades. I sincerely hope somebody will help me to find out my relatives there. Details are given as under:-

" This message is from distant India. I earnestly seek your help in locating the paternal cousins of my mother, who is deceased now. Her cousins were living in No.47, North Street, Durban, Natal Province, South Africa in 1955. They are Mr. K. Muthu Pather, Mr. K. Ganesa Pather, Mr. Nataraja Pather and Mrs. Yogambaltillaikannu, who were living at No. 46, North Street, Wuslum, Durban Natal Province of South Africa in the year 1955 or before. You may also spell PATHER or PATHAR. We belong to the family and most of its members are goldsmiths or gold jewelers.

My mother, Mrs. Valliammal Natarajan, who was alive till 1985, had a dream of meeting her cousins once again in her life time. Her elder brother, Mr. Mr.Sasthayan Achary was also deceased now. Mr. Ganesa Pather had visited India in early 1950s. During the political turmoil in South Africa, we were not able to contact them. With the advent of internet, there is hope and possibility to find them, if not the paternal cousins of my mother but their children, who may be at their 40s or 50s. If I cannot locate the family, website of any Tamil cultural association from the city of Durban will be of immense help or a person of Tamil origin who has association with Tamil Language/Tamil People could be of great help to me. Any E-mail address of the aforesaid associations/individuals will be sufficient. I am trying various people for this cause.

The story begins here: - Mr. Krishnan Achary, who left India on mentally depressive mood after the death of his first wife while delivering his first child. He belonged to Navalkadu of Kanyakumari district presently in Tamil Nadu, Southern India. Mr. Krishnan Achary, who left for South Africa later married a lady namely, Amirtham of Karaikal of Tamilnadu and has got 3 boys and one daughter Yogambal Thillaikannu. When Ganesha Pathar visited India in early 50's, my mother Valliammal, who was unmarried then, was living with her brother Mr. Sasthayan Achary alias Chellappan Achary in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. My maternal grand-father Muthuswamy Achary and Grandma Lakshmiammal were living in Thiruvananthapuram, presently the capital of Kerala. I am the grandson of Mr.Muthusamy Achary, who is now deceased as also my mother Valliammal and maternal Uncle Chellappan Achary (who retired as a Director in Govt. of Kerala).

Now only we children of third generation are living. Kindly help me to locate my relatives. Some of the other names of the family that I remember are Ms. Indrani and Mr. Thirumurthy (both are Doctors) and Mr. Thangavel, Pasupathi, Annapoornam are some other members of the family. "

From: Mark Mackintosh, Managing Editor TED, [email protected] , 8 February 2006

TED, the Dutch newspaper for teenagers, would like to know whether you may be able to put us in touch with young Tamils in Sri Lanka (up to age 25). Following the peace treaty negotiations, we would like to ask them by phone or email what life is like for them right now in Sri Lanka. In doing so, we aim to educate our young Dutch readership about the little known history of your native country and people. The interview will appear in our February 16 edition. Here are some of the questions we would like to ask:

- What, for you, defines Tamil identity?
- What do you like most about your country? What do you dislike?
- How has the unrest in Sri Lanka affected your life? Can you give us a specific example or tell a particular story?
- What are your hopes for your country and people?

TED is a free, independent weekly. It is distributed every Thursday at 300 high schools and railway stations across the Netherlands. Total circulation averages 150,000 with an estimated readership of close to half a million. As such, it is the most important free print medium for teenagers in the country and an important teaching tool for teachers.Our deadline is Friday night! For back issues, see
http://www.ted.nl/ted4/ted4.php?cmd=3584&cid=1139089788

Response by tamilnation.org Regretfully, our remit does not extend to making the arrangements that you have requested. However, we are posting your request in our comments page so that visitors to this site who may want to help may contact you directly.

From: Dr.M.Bala Tharumaningam, Malaysia, 7 February 2006

Vanakkam! We here at Malaysia Tamilisai Mandram appreciate your work on Tamil Music at your website. We have created a link to your site for our members to visit your site.

Response by tamilnation.org Mikka Nanri. We wish you well with your efforts at Malaysia Tamilisai Mandram.

From: Kanaka Cadambi, Pune, India, 6 February 2006

I am interested in procuring an English translaton of the Thirukkural. I would prefer a book that will give me only the translation and not any explanations. Could you recommend any? How could I procure one?

Response by tamilnation.org Vannakam. You will find some books listed in our Thirukkural page. G.U.Pope's Translation and Weavers Wisdom are two books that come to mind. The links to amazon.com also appear in our Thirukural page. We wish you well in your efforts.

From: G.M.Rajendran, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu 3 February 2006

Sirs, I have gone through your site. Simply Excellent. I could visualise how much effort your group of people must have put in for collecting the data and constructing the website. Keep it up. My best wishes.

Response by tamilnation.org Many thanks for your comments and support. Mikka Nanri.

From: Anastasia Taylor-Lind [[email protected]], United Kingdom, 30 January 2006

I am a British photojournalist and am writing to ask for your assistance. I am currently producing a long term photographic documentary about women guerrilla soldiers around the world. After having recently spent a month living with the women soldiers of the PKK in Iraqi Kurdistan, I would be very interested to visit Sri Lanka to document the lives of the Tamil Tigers women soldiers, and in particular the Black Tiger, Birds of Freedom unit. I would be grateful of any advice you can offer me, or any contact you could offer to the group.Many thanks for your time and best wishes.

Response by tamilnation.org Regretfully, our remit does not extend to making arrangements of the kind that you have requested. However we have posted your request in our Comments page so that any visitor to this site who may want to help may get in touch with you directly. We have seen some of your work on the web and the notices you have received. We wish you well in your efforts.

From: V�ronique Brun [[email protected] ], 29 January 2006

Bonjour, Je suis enseignante en France et j'ai parmi mes �l�ves des enfants d'origine tamoule du Sri Lanka. Leur maman me semble bien seule.Existe-t-il en France une association o� elle pourrait trouver de l'aide? une radio en langue tamoule ? Merci de tout renseignement !

Good afternoon, I am a teacher and some of my pupils come from Sri Lanka ; they are Tamil and their mother seems very lonely. Do you know of some organization where she could find help and information ? Is there a radio she could listen to? Thank you for your help

Response by tamilnation.org Regretfully, we ourselves do not have the information you request. However we have posted your request in our Comments page so that any visitor to this site who may want to help may get in touch with you directly.

From: Stephen Denman [[email protected] ], 26 January 2006

Hello There. I need your help. Please can you give me some specific references in any Tamil Dravid text that clearly refers to Kumarikhenda (Dragon Land of Immortal Serpents) as I cannot find anything on the internet. Your help would be very much appreciated.

Response by tamilnation.org Regretfully, we ourselves do not have the information you request. However you may want address your query to either Agaththiyar Discussion List moderated by Dr. Jaya Bharathi or the varalaaRu Discussion List moderated by Raveen S. Nathan - they may be able to help. Additionally, we have posted your request in our Comments page so that any visitor to this site who may be able to help may get in touch with you directly.

From: Yamuna Vittal, 17 January 2006

Hello, tamilnation.org is a marvellous resource. I recently discovered it and the scale of the enterprise is amazing. Thanks for putting these great works on the web. It's been a long time since I read Naladiyar in school - 8th grade, I think and I still remember the similes. I am afraid my Tamil isn't good enough to understand most of these texts. Do you have any pointers to where I could find the meaning of the cheiyyul, either in Tamil or English? If you are in the process of adding this to your site and could use a volunteer, please contact me. I would love to contribute to this effort. Thanks again.

Response by tamilnation.org Vannakam. Many thanks for your comments. Regretfully, we ourselves do not at the present time have any pointers to where you may find the meaning of the cheiyyuls in English or Tamil. As you probably know, Project Madurai is an open, world-wide initiative devoted to the preparation & free distribution of ETexts of Tamil Literary Works and it is led by Dr.K.Kalyanasundaram in Switzerland and Kumar Mallikarjunan in USA. If you would like to contribute to any of their ongoing projects, the person to contact is Dr.Kalyanasundaram in Switzerland. His email address is available in the Project Madurai Introductory Page. You may also want to consider joining the Project Madurai Yahoo Group at "http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pmadurai"

From: Professor Aaron Rajah, San Diego, California, U.S.A to R Gnana-Ratnam, Tamil Writers Guild, London, UK - copied to tamilnation.org, 15 January 2006

I do not represent tamilnation.org. I did write an article " an open letter to the US ambassador from Professor Aaron Rajah, San Diego, California, USA". The letter was sent to the US ambassador in Sri Lanka via certified mail from California, in addition it was also faxed to the US ambassador in Sri Lanka. So far as tamilnation.org is concerned, we consider that it is our Harvard University. Harvard University does not solicit applicants, if the ambassador wanted the other side of the story he was only a "google" away... Waiting for one person to deliver freedom to a "nation under siege" may be, perhaps, a long night. Yes, we need your help. Thanks for visiting our Harvard University. P.S. The above comments do not reflect the opinion of tamilnation.org and truly reflect mine.

From: A visitor from California, USA, 12 January 2006

Your comments and article on Jeffrey Lunstead, is nothing but brilliant. I hope other websites will have the courage to publish it (including a Tamil and Sinhala translation) so that both Tamils, Sinhalese, and the global citizens in Cyber Space, will be able to better educate themselves.

From: Thilaganathan Segaran, United Kingdom, 11 January 2006

I love the website and appreciate the labour of love that it must be. Please keep it up as this is a fantastic resource for the Tamil people of the world.

From: R Gnana-Ratnam [ [email protected] ] Tamil Writers Guild, London, UK, 11 January 2006

Have you actually sent or faxed this article United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Jeffrey Lunstead: The Return of the Ugly American? to the American Embassy in Colombo and the State Dept. in Washington? Else you have been barking at the wrong tree (audience wise) as I doubt that the US Ambassador will come to this site to read it, thus rendering your valuable time spent on this ineffective. However, I personally share your grief and am sure all the Tamils will, but the key is to make others grieve for Tamils. Regards

Response by tamilnation.org Regretfully, our remit does not extend to 'pushing' our views by faxing or emailing the American Embassy or the US State Department or for that matter any other agency or person. We believe that there are Tamil organisations (better equipped than us) who may be engaged in that task. Having said that, tamilnation.org does receive around forty thousand visits each week and these include visits by governmental and non governmental agencies and organisations.

Whilst we understand the sentiments that you have expressed, we ourselves do not see our purpose as one of making others grieve for Tamils. Our Mission remains...

... to nurture the growing togetherness of more than 70 million Tamil people, living in many lands and across distant seas - a growing togetherness rooted in a shared heritage, a rich language and literature, and a vibrant culture - a growing togetherness consolidated by struggle and suffering and given fresh impetus by the digital revolution - a growing togetherness given purpose and direction by a determined will to live in equality, in freedom and in peace with their fellow beings and meaningfully contribute to an emerging one world, unfolding from matter to life to mind ...

And, we continue to believe in that which was said at Thimpu in 1985, some twenty years ago -

"We have said this before to the international community and we say it again, here at Thimpu, we do not plead for justice. We do not beg for fairness. We know that justice will prevail in the end - and we have confidence and faith in that process..."

Here, we are encouraged by the words of Harold Pinter in his Nobel Lecture on 7 December 2005 -

"... despite the enormous odds which exist, unflinching, unswerving, fierce intellectual determination, as citizens, to define the real truth of our lives and our societies is a crucial obligation which devolves upon us all. It is in fact mandatory."

And we are guided by the words of Mahatma Gandhi - "Whatever you do may be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it."

From: Srinivasalu.G, Italy, 4 January 2006

My salutations to the scholars like Dr. C.R.Krishnamurthy. Keep up your service to the Tamil Nation. tamilnation.org is a very inspiring site.

From: Sandra Jordan, Foreign Correspondent, The Observer/Channel 4 TV, [email protected] 3 January 2006

Hello, my name is Sandra Jordan, I am a reporter for The Observer newspaper and Channel 4 TV in London. I am very interested in doing a report on Sri Lanka, on the situation of the Tamil people since the tsunami, on the new post-election political landscape, the state of the ceasefire and the future role of the Norwegian peace negotiators. I would like the most accurate possible briefing and wonder if it would be possible to interview Mr Anton S. Balasingham? I am based in London and would be very grateful if you could put me in touch with Mr Balasingham.You can check out some of my past work on the Observer website (www.observer.co.uk ) though recently I have been concentrating on documentaries for Channel 4's Unreported World and Disptaches strand. Many thanks. Mobile: +44 7771 776284

Response by tamilnation.org Regretfully, our remit does not extend to arranging interviews. However we have posted your request in our Comments page so that any visitor to this site who may want to help may get in touch with you directly.

[see also earlier Visitor Comments: 2005]