Tamil Heritage Month 2014 at Pickering Town Centre
Organized by Tamil Cultural and Academic Society of Durham
When I woke up on January 25th, 2014, I felt the bliss in my heart, I opened the curtain in my room with freshly poured cup of coffee. I looked out into the street watching a snow falling and sunny Saturday morning. Though it is a real winter weather outside, I felt the excitement for the day; it is the Tamil Heritage Month Celebration day at the Pickering Town Centre!
Tamil Cultural and Academic Society of Durham [TCASD] members were planning this event and venue from the beginning of last year. With the great team work spirit, the executive team and members were able to achieve their objective, which is celebrating Tamil Heritage month at Pickering Town Centre!
Beautified myself by dressing in Tamil cultural clothes didn’t take long for me, as I was very anxious to be at the Pickering Town Centre to participate in the welcome procession, which was promoted on Facebook and the radio. Drove through slippery roads and the slow traffic, I arrived at the Pickering Town Centre Court, I was amazed how astoundingly beautiful it looked with all the decorations which had been tirelessly assembled on the previous night.
The black stage, beautifully adorned with brightly coloured garlands, with our Tamil Cultural and Academic Society of Durham event banner proudly hanging at its centre. Ten booths and posters displaying the history, traditions and values of our Tamil culture along with the pride of our creation. The kolam and welcome centre at the entrance, creating a warm and festive entrance for the guest. All of a sudden, our extended Tamil families approached from all directions, hubs of activity busy getting ready for our opening grand entrance!
By ten am, there was a crowd of dignitaries, elected reps, guests, media partners and volunteers waiting for the grand entrance. The ceremony started with six person melam and nadeswaram team. The sound of the startling and striking melody could be heard all throughout the mall. Four Kings, each representing a Rajah of our historical Tamil dynasties; Kings of the Chola, Paandayaar, Sera and Vanni, magnificently dressed in bright costumes, welcome the crowd of guests, in respectful royal court fashion, greeting them to walk along in royal procession to the centre stage.
It was a magnificent walk, one which was highly photographed, a memorable walk for many, for years to come. Throes of passer-bys stopped to watch the procession, taking in the beauty of the moment. As the procession approached the registration desk, our MCs took over and provided the warm welcome and introduction, then led the group through the welcome area and stage for further group photos.
With our four kings seated in their Royal thrones in the background, the Royal court session and programs commenced. A multitude of programs were to follow, starting with the National Anthem, sung in English, French and Tamil, followed by the Tamil Thai Valthu, and a Moment of Silence, which was followed by the lighting of the lamps, all led by our own Tamil Cultural and Academic Society of Durham youth. Welcome speeches, an incredible colourful welcome dance and welcome songs, then led to a very special Pongal rice pouring Ceremony, where invited dignitaries participated. Following a warm welcome speech by Tamil Cultural and Academic Society Secretary, Vasantha Vaithilingam. The speech was followed by President, Tom Thiru’s, Tamil Heritage month wonderful message.
The ceremony was uplifted by many of our special guests and Dignitaries speeches of Chris Alexander, the Minister of Parliament of Citizenship and Immigration, City of Ajax Mayor, Steve Parish and City of Pickering Mayor, Dave Ryan . Speeches by our Chief Guests, Dr. Chandrakanthan and Parasaran Rangarajan from the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam, Tamil Heritage Month founder,Neethan Shan followed.
A multitude of songs, dances, plays, skits, musical performances, raffle draws under the energy and inspiring guidance of our MCs, kept the program flowing smoothly one after the other, in steady progression throughout the morning and afternoon. The closing two performances were by Durham’s own youth, a seven part traditional dance by the Fine Arts Academy of Durham performed by 20 students, and a fashion show depicting the clothing attire and history of Tamil and how it’s evolved over the years, ending with a fashion display of traditional marriage finery a Tamil Hindu, Christian and Muslim brides.
Throughout the day and ceremony, the Pickering mall visitors stopped to watch, sit or stand from the balustrade above, in appreciation of the beauty and messaging of our celebration. Some guests even dressed in saris to enjoy the moment. It was amazing to see our Tamil language, culture, histories, tradition and people be given so much attention and respect.
The Tamil Cultural and Academic Society of Durham, recognized the individuals who made a different in the Tamil community through their outstanding services. I was glad to see Shantha Somaskanther, Vana Dineshkumar, Ganapathy Ravendran and Neethan Shan receiving these honorable awards from the Organization. The Tamil Cultural and Academic Society of Durham, made History on Saturday January 25, 2014 -Tamil heritage in Durham was truly made and experienced by the Canadian community at large. An incredible effort was made by each member of the organization, mostly volunteer based, showing the hardworking and dedicated nature of the Tamil people who take great effort.
Our thanks go out to our leaders of this event, the driving forces of our organization, tireless workers with a passion and a dream, the inspiration of such a successful event, team leaders Vasantha Vaithilingam, Tom Thiru and Susila Pathmanathan. Their time, energy, management and delivery of this pivotal accomplishment were again proven to the Tamils in Durham.
Our sincere and many thanks to the technical, sound and security team, the stage decor group and to everyone else who contributed so much to the event. Thanks to all the organizational partners, the media partners, sponsors, heritage supporters, volunteers, performers, elected reps and all others involved in the initiative. It was indeed a proud movement for Tamil Cultural and Academic Society of Durham and a wonderful message to pass on to the Durham Tamil youth of TCASD. I am proud and feel privileged to have taken part in this historic event. Above all I truly thank the divine energy throughout the day, which gave a positive vibration to the event!
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