Facets of Tamil Diaspora

From left to right: Jean-Pierre Muller; François Gros; V. Arasu; Kannan. M

Today Tamil is classical, contemporary and is spread worldwide. Through migrations spanning a few centuries – of slaves, labour, kings, professionals and refugees, Tamil is prevalent in many parts of the present day world.

Some diasporic communities, without language but with traces of culture search desperately for their roots (Reunion, Mauritius, South Africa, West Indies etc.) while others, retaining the language and culture try to carve a unique identity for themselves in the place where they live. (Malaysia and Singapore).

We also have those who try hard to retain a certain “idea” of their culture despite being totally cosmopolitan in their day to day lives (Tamils of North America). Some others, burdened and branded by their language and culture fight for a cause, for their homeland or try to escape from it (Tamilians of Sri Lanka). More importantly, how could we afford to forget history – the diasporic experiences, recorded (in the inscriptions) in many parts of the world?

Together these diverse experiences have done their best to make Tamil global and to find a place for it in the world republic of letters.

Such engagements manifest multiple dimensions in relating to the so-called center of Tamil Culture – the state of Tamil Nadu, in India.

The proposed International Conference organized by the Department of Indology, French Institute of Pondicherry and the Department of Tamil Literature, University of Madras will engage with such dimensions – to explore and understand the issues and problems of the ‘Tamil Experience in Other Spaces’.

Programme

Download detailed programme schedule with participants list.

Organisers

• Department of Indology, French Institute of Pondicherry
• Department of Tamil Literature, University of Madras

Funding

• French Institute of Pondicherry
• University of Madras

Coordinators

Prof. V. Arasu, Department of Tamil Literature, University of Madras
Kannan. M, Department of Indology, French Institute of Pondicherry

Venue

Jawaharlal Nehru Conference Hall, French Institute of Pondicherry, 11, Saint Louis Street, Pondicherry - 605 001