Youth urged to keep Tamil culture alive
KUALA LUMPUR: Tamil community leaders have expressed hope that youths will remember their culture as they usher in the Tamil new year, Puttandu.
In a celebration organised by the Coalition of Hindu Organisations and Temples, about 300 people observed the special day at the Kala Mandapam Sri Kandaswamy Temple in Brickfields yesterday.
They were treated to a spectacle of events such as a traditional drums performance, a demonstration of Silambam, which is a weapon-based Indian martial art that originated from South India, a display of spear fighting and garland-making.
“It is important for our youth to remember their roots,” organising committee chairman Rishi Kumar Vadivelu said.
“This is the first day of the traditional Tamil calendar and it is celebrated all around the world. The month of Chittirai falls during the Sun’s movement from the zodiac Mesha to Vrishabha.
“Since the majority of Indians in Malaysia are of Tamil origin, the Tamil New Year is widely celebrated in temples and various cultural events are held.”
Malaysian Hindi Youth Council president Arunkumar Chengoden also spoke on the importance of youngsters not forgetting their traditions.
“This celebration will allow them to understand the ways of their ancestors and the historical significance of this special day.”
Two 12-year-old martial arts students, M. Dheshiga and P. Sherin, took to the stage to show their skills in handling spears, called “veil kambe”.
According to their instructor Sivabalan Muniandy, 42, they trained for the past six months to choreograph the performance.
“It helps to build their confidence. We trained weekly to prepare for this,” he said.
The festival was also attended by Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry secretary of culture division Tan Awang Besar and Malaysia Hindu Singam president Datuk R.S. Mohan Shan.