Tamil Summer School

In 2002, the teaching responsibility entrusted to Prof G Srinivasa Varma Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu), has been teaching at the Tamil Summer School previous years. At the request of Patrice Cohen, responsible for the Tamil Summer School and head of the department, the teaching materials were completely reformulated under guidance of the pedagogical head and thanks to the contributions of A. Murugayian (EPHE, Paris), S. Arokianathan (Pondicherry University), L Ramamoorthy (PILC,Pondicherry), T Sethupandian (Madurai Kamaraj University) T Parasuraman (PILC, Pondicherry). At the same time, assistant teachers were selected after a making a public announcement and depending upon the competencies identified for this function.

The courses took place from 14th July to 24th August 2002, for 2 levels of participants (beginners and intermediaries). Field trips were organised in Pondicherry and outside at the same time, with the assistance of G. Venkatasubramanian (research assistant at IFP), and 5 conferences were organised on the Tamil language and culture. The almost ten participants were from 6 countries : India, USA, Holland, England, Belgium, France. One must note that the request for participation by some Indians from other states of India, shows the interest that the TSS can generate if it is spread to other Indian states.

Additionally, the requests from the Tamil diaspora also confirm the fact : Island of Reunion, Mauritius and England even metropolitan France.