மாவீரர் நாள்│ Tamil Eelam National Heroes´ Day│Tamil Eelam National Remembrance Day

Graphic: “Maveerer Naal” (2024)

Archives.

05.06.1974: Death of Ponnuthurai Sivakumaran (Pon Sivakumaren). He died swallowing cyanide. He was a Tamil student and a supporter of a militant group that visioned Tamil Eelam as self-determination for Eelam Tamils. 

27.11.1982: Death of Lt. Shankar (Sathiyanathan). He died due to wound in a combat. He was the first martyr of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam

27.11.1989: The first Maveerer Naal as Tamil Eelam National Remembrance Day – Tamil Eelam National Heroes´Day – மாவீரர் நாள்

27th November was chosen based on the day the first martyr from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam died in a combat. On 27.11.1989, the day was declared as Maveere Naal. The necessity of declaring a common day emerged when several thousand of martyrs died for the Tamil Eelam freedom struggle, and it became impractical to have daily commemoration all year round. Thus, Maveerer naal was declared to have a common commemoration day for all martyrs.

In contrast to other countries, Tamil Eelam had national remembrance day during the armed struggle was undertaken. In other countries, the government after the liberation conduct the national remembrance day, such as Poppy Day (Remembrance Day) remeber the armed forces of the World War II.

Following days have been marked as national uprising days (எழுச்சி நாள்கள்) by people of Tamil Eelam:

• From 27.11.1998: People of Tamil Eelam remembered the Maveerer Naal as Tamil Eelam Maveerer uprising day (தமிழீழ மாவீரர் எழுச்சி நாள்)
• 1990-1994: People of Tamil Eelam remembered 21.11 – 27.11 as Tamil Eelam Maveerer week (தமிழீழ மாவீரர் வாரம்)
• From 1995- : People of Tamil Eelam remembered 25.11 – 27.11 as Tamil Eelam Maveerer uprising days (தமிழீழ மாவீரர் எழுச்சி நாள்கள்)

«National Heroes’ Day is celebrated in Tamil Eelam for the heroes who died for the liberation of the nation. The day of this uprising has also been declared as the national day of Tamil Eelam.»

“தேச விடுதலைக்காக மரணித்த மாவீரர்களுக்கு தமிழீழ மண்ணில் மாவீரர் நாள் உறுதிப்பாடாயிற்று. இவ் எழுச்சி நாளே தமிழீழத்தின் தேசிய நாளாகவும் பிரகடணப்படுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளது.”

1. கொடியேற்றம் (Raising flag)
2. வளைவுகள்
3. பந்தல் (Tent/pavilion)
4. வீதிச் சோடனைகளும், பதாதைகளும் (Road decoration and banners)
5. பெற்றோர் கௌரவிப்பு (Honoring parents)
6. பொதுக்கூட்டங்கள் (Public meetings)
7. போட்டிகள் (போட்டிகள்)
8. வெளியீடுகள் (publications)
9. மரம் நாட்டுதல் (Tree planting)
10. சுவரொட்டிகள் (Posters)
11. கலை நிகழ்ச்சிகள் (Art performances/ programs)
12. கொடி இறக்கம் (Flag lowering)
13. வீதிகளுக்குப் பெயர் சூட்டல் (Naming streets)

National Heroes´ Day handbook – மாவீரர் நாள் கையேடு was published by the National martyrs Office under the Political wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in Tamil Eelam. The first edition was published in 1992 and the second edition in 1995.

The revised edition have the term “மாவீரர் எழுச்சி நாட்கள்” (Maveerer upraising days) in addition to “மாவீரர் நாள் கொண்டாட்டம்” (Maveerer celebration) and “நினைவு கூரல்” (remembrance).

It also includes the remembrance day of Colonel Kiddu and the 10 martyrs (16.01.1993) and the first women martyr of Tamil Eelam, which is also the Tamil Eelam women upraising day (10.10.1987). 

Even if these handbooks are published in Tamil Eelam. The content is still used and practised by diaspora Tamil organisations and society, including in Norway. The handbooks give guidances in arranging Maveerer Naal and encourage activities in the society during the Maveerer week and days. Such as publishing, remembrance at schools, homes and civil offices.

Common activities:

National Heroes week is still a common practice in Tamil Eelam and around the world. Since the November days prior to 21st November embossed by uprising mood, Tamils around the world have been cautious and avoided party events/ceremonies that were out of the described framework.

After 2009, it is observed that some diaspora organisations disseminate the concept of National Heroes Month to maintain the mood in November.

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