தமிழ்த்தாய்│Mother Thamizh – 04

தலைப்பு│Title: தமிழ்த்தாய்; tamiḻttāy; Mother Thamizh
ஆக்குனர்│Creator: Leander_scribbles
இடம்│Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
ஆக்கப்பட்டது│Created: January 2022
பங்களிப்பாளர்│contributor: Leander_scribbles
சமர்ப்பிக்கப்பட்ட திகதி│Date submitted: 26.02.2022
பொருட்துறை│Subject: History. Culture. Social issues. Criticism.
விவரிப்பு│description:
On 26th January 1950, India became a Republic, and to commemorate, every year a parade takes place in Delhi, which includes a float from each state showcasing their respective cultures. This year The Republic Day parade was held on Jan 26, 2022. However, the state of Tamil Nadu, along with the other South Indian states (except Karnataka) and West Bengal will not be featured as their floats were rejected.

The reason Tamil Nadu was given- the freedom fighters displayed (V.O. Chidambaram Pillai, Veeramangai Velu Nachiyar and Bharathiyar) were not “well known”. The sheer audacity and ignorance of the statement is nauseating.

As a civilisation, Tamizhar go back at least 3,200 years, with Tamizh, one of the oldest languages spoken in the world, at its centre. The culture and language now are fairly well preserved, though much has been either lost, appropriated or assimilated.

Though the widely prevalent passion for Tamizh is admirable, unfair power structures have and still continue to exist. Homophobia, transphobia, sexism and casteism still run rampant in the Tamizh community. For people who claim to be very accepting and inclusive, it’s high time that this acceptance and inclusivity reflects internally as well.

It’s true that this isn’t a very good time, considering everything that’s going on, but the fact still remains- there’s still a lot of work left to do. It’s long overdue and needs to start NOW.

Proper research and education on Tamizh culture and history (both the good AND the bad), about how being Tamizh is an ethnicity beyond religion and that Tamizhar are not inherently “Hindus”, is essential. Blind fanaticism, disregard for facts and adamance over folk etymology are a huge disservice.

Unlearn, relearn, research, reconnect, and contribute.

PS- Those responsible for the genocide of Eela Tamizhar and the oppression of Indian Tamizh fisherfolk at the SL-India border are yet to be held accountable.

வாழ்க தமிழ். வளர்க தமிழ் (Long live Tamil)

வடிவமைப்பு│Format: Graphic. JPG. 1440 × 1800 px
வகை│Type: Traditional art
மொழி│Language:
உரிமம் │Rights: CC BY-SA 4.0. Credit: Leander_scribbles
உறவு│Relation: Cite this material according to the appropriate referencing style. See also 444_22_01-01. 444_22_01-02. 444_22_01-03. 444_22_01-04.
அடையாளம்காட்டி│Identifier:
உள்ளக அடையாளம்காட்டி│Local identifier: 444_22_01-04

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