More than 1 500 culturally and musically-talented children from all over the country took part in one of the most enthralling and captivating Tamil Eistedfod events at the Arena Park Regional Hall in Chatsworth over the past week-end, July 4 and 5.
The national children's Eistefod final, organised by the South African Tamil Federation, attracted participants from the Western Cape, North-West, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. The Gauteng region was represented by more than 300 children, Western Cape more than 150, North-West 50, and KwaZulu-Natal more than 1 000 children.
The gifted children who showed enormous aptitudes for the Tamil culture and language put on stirling performances in the specially drawn-up language, drama, music, dance, song and South Indian village events.
Dressed in colourful garments, the children enthralled the packed audience on the two days with their scintillating performances.
The different regions of the SATF first participated in their own events for the past three months before selecting the children for the finals last weekend.
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The audience at the event were enthralled at the brilliant performances by the children)
(Mr Karthi Moothsamy with his secretary, Mr Marie Pillay-Ramaya)
The president of the SATF, Mr Karthi Moothsamy, told the community in an address on Sunday (July 5) that the Eistefod demonstrated that there was a resurgence of the Tamil culture, language, music and traditions among the people.
He said the "Tamil seed" was now firmly planted in eight provinces of the country. They were Mpumulanga, North West, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Free State, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
"We believe that South Africa is experiencing a Tamil Renaissance with parents taking a keen interest in the promotion of the language, culture, music and tradition in their children," said Mr Moothsamy.
He said the SATF was committed to building strong regions "for the people on the ground".
"We believe that with a strong organisation for the people we will help grow the renaissance among the Tamil people who make up a significant cultural group in our country."
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(Mr Richard Govender, President of KZN Tamil Federation busy at work at the eistedfod with Mr Karthy Moothsamy, president of SATF)
The president of the KwaZulu-Natal Tamil Federation, Mr Richard Govender, said there was a re-awakening among parents and children.
"Parents want to ensure that their children are not robbed of their Tamil culture in the fast-moving western world that we are living in," he said.
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(Mr Karthy Moothsamy presenting tokens of appreciation for Mr M V Rajah to Mr Rajah's siblings)
The two-day event was dedicated to cultural leader, M V Rajah, who died early in December last year. Mr Rajah, former president of the Natal Tamil Vedic Society, selflessly served the promotion of the Tamil language, music, and culture for more than 70 years of his life.
Mr Moothsamy presented special tokens to Mr Rajah's three children, who were special guests at the event.
(Mr Solly Pillay)
A cultural and Tamil music activist, Mr Solly Pillay, sang a special song in honour of Mr Rajah.
In his message, Mr Pillay said in order to keep alive the Tamil language, culture, music and tradition they should make it a point of greeting one another with the Tamil greeting: "Vanakkam".
"In this small way we will be helping to keep alive our language and culture among our people, especially the children and grand-children," he said.
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