A Tamil Girl and a Black Guy - 02

by:

Tharmila Shabanathan

Since the article came out in the last issue I have had many concerned parents who have phoned me and asked who it was. They did not believe me when I stated that it was actually a girl from work and so they believe it might just be their daughters and not to mention my Tamil friends and colleagues. Then and there I fully realised how many people actually read ORU PAPER and most of all, they read the ‘TEENS PAPER’. It just comes to show that many parents and youngsters are still interested and keep reading. Many of the parents phoned in with panic but I assured them that it was not their girl. And after a while I started to regret even writing the article in the first place.

But then again, I have only written about what I have seen and thought about. It’s not just a subject that should be forgotten about. It’s something that many Tamils should come to terms with, as this kind of relationships are becoming very common as time goes by. We are no longer in the ice age or the mid ages. This is the innovatory age, when race and colour does nothing to a relationship. And when youngsters become more and more revolutionised in the western world we tend to think, act and behave just like a foreigner. And so for many Tamil girls and boys they see a black or white person just as equal as an Asian.

I guess that as youngsters we must understand that our parents are still parents and they have come from a country where reputation mattered a lot and for them to change over quickly is simply impossible. I know this as my mother still finds it hard to agree with me. With a 31 years age gap; I cannot blame her for being how she is. The older the parents are, the harder they will find it hard to accept this new society and the way their kids want to adopt to it. They are in a new world with many different people with many different things (good and bad) happening around them is hard enough.

Race and culture must not come in the way of love and affection of one another. We are all living in a world which was given to us by God to share and be happy about and as one big family in this world. Let us not judge or step on one another. All these races and family backgrounds, how far does it really go? 10 years, 100 years 1000 years? Not all of us know where our ancestors came from 1000 years ago. Our fathers told us, and their fathers told them and their fathers told them…and it’s endless but no on can definitely prove that one belongs to a higher race and the other to a lower class race. So leave everything, and for as long as long as we live in this foreign countries let’s still carry on our good traditions and custom values but leave the bad thoughts and ego behind.

If you take Mr. Anton Balasingham for example. He marries a white lady who adopted to our way of life and society very much. And she even went a step further and fought with her husband for us Tamils freedom. Here is a white women who has proven herself to the Tamil community. I am shy to even call her white; as I feel that she has bonded with us so nicely and we no longer see her in any different way from who we are. I guess that women such as her bring a slight relief to many parents who might have their kids wanting to marry people from a different race; and it gives a slight hope that maybe a different race partner for their kids is not a bad idea after all. What ever happens let us not forget that we are all humans and just because one is black it does not make them inferior or when one is white it does not make them superior.

Comments

5 September 2007 - 9:38pm — poonkothai

ORUPAPER Editor failed to recognise this blunder

'Tamil is among the oldest languages in the world and is derived from the oldest of all the languages Sanskrit' - Uma Kumaran

This article's content violates the ORUPAPER's ideological position and also factually incorrect.
I am surprised that a paper paying tribute to NARAGASURAN on THEEPAAVALI day is also publishing this type of factually incorrect and 'Iyar mentality'articles.

21 August 2007 - 11:32am — Kalanithy

A Tamil Girl and Black Boy

“This is the innovatory age, when race and colour does nothing to a relationship. And when youngsters become more and more revolutionised in the western world we tend to think, act and behave just like a foreigner. And so for many Tamil girls and boys they see a black or white person just as equal as an Asian.”

I am bit sceptical about our youngsters become innovative and revolutionised and what do you exactly mean by that? Having girl friend or boy friend from other culture or race called revolutionised and innovative?

There are lot of girls and boys from other culture are doing well in many other areas, good TV presenters, news readers, politicians, scientists, Doctors, Bankers, Business, writers, sports, etc. It does not mean Tamils are not doing well in these areas but not enough percentage, why do not you write to encourage our youngsters to use their potential in these areas and be revolutionised and innovative.

It is important to respect all human being in the same way that you would respect yourself. Having good relationship and friendship with people from other culture is good but such relation become strong when you do not lose your values and respect their values.

3 September 2007 - 11:49am — Uma Kumaran

Hello, Its nice to see that

Hello,

Its nice to see that what we at oru teens write stimulates such debate. Further to you comment 'why do not you write to encourage our youngsters to use their potential in these areas and be revolutionised and innovative', i have previously written an article along the same lines. I would also like to say that the subejct matter on which tharmila has written about is one not often explored in the tamil community. It is pointless to deny that such things are happening in our community and therefore only by openly discussing these issues can we help youngsters 'not lose your values and respect their values'.

Thanks

Here is the article about tamils exploring alternative careers:

Looking for Tamil…please help

Uma Kumaran

Its that time of year when everyone seems to be revising for some exam or another. I for one am not enjoying this time. So I decided to find out where I came from, those of you thinking of birds and the bees, stop being so immature. I want to know who my ancestors are, what they achieved and what am I doing in comparison? And after prolonged research (well as much as I can bear) these are my conclusions.

And so I begin my rant about why Tamils need to expand their horizons. Have you ever seen a Tamil in the London marathon? On something non-intellectual? On Mtv? No, nor have I…even if there was a Tamil person on TV I don't think they are famous enough to be noticed on the street. (Apart from George Allagiah…good old George, BBC 1 news presenter) anyway, why is every Tamil in the medical, legal or mathematical field? For the money? Peer pressure or parent pressure? I myself have a great story, when I was 15 I was short listed in a European art competition, and was a runner up, I even appeared in the local newspaper, on the front page can u believe (they were short of stories that week) any how, I did well. And then I was inundated with offers from universities such as royal college of fashion and Chelsea school of arts…these are some of the most prestigious art universities in the world likened to oxford and Harvard in the arts field. And what did I do? Turn them down, turning down a scholarship, probably the only Tamil in England to do such a thing. I hear you ask why; well what can I do with art? It was only a hobby of mine, something my parents encouraged as a pastime but never a career. I too wondered what I could do with art. All I could think of were those people who drew caricatures of people on London embankment; I didn't want to be one of those people. You know what people say about artists, they are always poor and relatively unknown until they die!

Its great that Tamils are associated with intellect and honourable fields of work, but who will we have that stands out through the centuries and leaves a legacy of something more? Where is our Picasso? Mozart? Shakespeare? Do we have a Srilankan Tamil that will be remembered for centuries to come, for something other than war craft? We have a culture that is so rich and overflowing in its uniqueness, alas we are doing nothing with it.

"What is Tamil culture? The attempt to define, often results in sweeping generalisations - and sweeping generalisations end up as meaningless cliché".

Tamil is among the oldest languages in the world and is derived from the oldest of all the languages Sanskrit. Sage Agasthiya the founder of the Tamil language was said to have written the first Tamil grammar book known as the Agathiyam, the first grammar book written for any language in the world! This is certainly an achievement, but we the descendants of this ancestral culture are doing nothing even remotely similar or as groundbreaking as this. The crown jewel of Tamil literature is known as the thirukural, which has been dated to the 1st to 5th century BC. Tamil people had their own kingdom and were patrons of fine art and culture, music and dance flourished. So from being the pioneers of cultural and classical arts we have accounted to almost nothing! It is embarrassing that we have such a beautiful history and have done nothing to continue its legacy. The greatest poet of the modern era Bharathiar (Subraymanya Bharathy) is acclaimed world over, but realistically can the young Tamils of today even connect to him or understand his poetry to the extent in which our parents or granndparents can? Are we even being taught the richness of our literary culture?

I give you something to think about, yes we may all be contributing to the society we live in today by aiming to become a medic or an investment banker, that we can help those who come after us to live a better life. But what about those who came before us? All the work that these amazing philosophers and artists achieved only to be sidelined and left untouched by us. Im not saying a revolution and that we all turn into paintbrush and peotry reciting maniacs all im asking is for everyone to acknowledge their work. Find out a bit more. No matter how much we progress… ' Men can know more than their ancestors did if they start with the knowledge of what their ancestors had already learned…that is why a society can be progressive only if it conserves it traditions'.

6 September 2007 - 11:47pm — eelavan

Uma! for your kind reading...

Hello there!

since I have been regular reader of your articles, yes am very much impressed because of your age and your studies! congratulations. as a Tamil we should appreciate your efforts and contribution to our people via this paper especially for teens.

However, you should be very cautious when you touch a very sensitive issues like especially our Language and freedom struggle. that doesn't mean you can't, no definitely not; but you should aware about your every sentence and if is not yours then you must quote where you get from.

anyway, if you are like DBS. Jeyaraj then you don't worry about anything at all! just write whatever you think!!!

please for your kind reading...

http://www.tamilnation.org/heritage/index.htm#Milestones_in_Tamil_Histor...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_language

thanks

7 September 2007 - 10:03am — Uma Kumaran

Eelavan Thankyou

Thanks for your comment, i have already read the link you sent me, as i have been corrected my error of using the words 'tamil ... derived from sanskrit'.
(on my personal blogging page). Other than that there are no factual inaccuracies in my article.

I always take the cautious approach when writing, but that is not to say that i will downplay my opinion for fear of offending someone else. As a writer i think it is part of my duty to stimulate healthy debate! do u agree?

with regards to the freedom struggle: I have always written positive and heartfelt articles, You can read more of what i have written at
http://www.myspace.com/umakumaran

5 September 2007 - 9:40pm — poonkothai

ORUPAPER Editor failed to recognise this blunder

'Tamil is among the oldest languages in the world and is derived from the oldest of all the languages Sanskrit' - Uma Kumaran

7 September 2007 - 10:14am — Uma Kumaran

Re: Blunder

Hello, All constructive criticism is welcome by me...however should you be so harsh about it?

Please tell me how this article contradicts orupapers ideological position? Does the article not explore and appreciate the vast culture that tamils (as a collective race) have? If anything that is what orupapers intention is. To highlight the cultural beauty of the tamil race to the tamil diaspora.

I would also take this oppertunity to inform you that all articles i write are written after research into my subject matter,

This explanation of sanskrit is taken from an wikipedia the online encyclopedia:
Its position in the cultures of South and Southeast Asia is akin to that of Latin and Greek in Europe and it has evolved into as well as influenced many modern-day languages of the world. It appears in pre-Classical form as Vedic Sanskrit, with the language of the Rigveda being the oldest and most archaic stage preserved. Dating back to as early as 1700 BC, Vedic Sanskrit is the earliest attested Indo-Aryan language.

I have since been corrected of using the words tamil derived from sanskrit. Sanskrit is an Aryan language whereas tamil is a dravidian language. both of which are unconnected but remain amongst the oldest in the world. Other than that one sentence there are no factual inaccuracies in my article.

Also please do expand on what you mean by 'iyar mentality'... as i have stated in my article sweeping generalisations (as you have made about iyer people) only leads to meaningless cliche.

7 September 2007 - 4:17pm — Uma Kumaran

'Iyer mentality'

Also: if my understanding of 'iyer mentality' is correct (as has been explained to me by the editor of orupaper) i would take tamil to be a language of lesser importance.

And yet my entire article is in praise of the tamil language right from the start... see the example of agathiyam. I am urging people to be aware of the achievements of the tamil language...not sidelining it. The way you (poonkothai) have spoken about my article is as though i am condemning the tamil language. If you understand the article you will see that i am in awe of the tamil language.

if you look beyond the one sentence error you can see the appreciative nature of my article.

7 September 2007 - 8:29pm — poonkothai

Early Tamil Epigraphy – A Brief Description

To Uma

I must apologise for calling the entire article as anti Tamil, I was so annoyed of that particular sentence. You mentioned that your source of information was wikipedia and encyclopaedia, I am surprised that person like you with an academic background is citing the encyclopaedia as a source of information. The encyclopaedia is for lay person’s reading not for ‘serious’ work. As a ‘punishment’ for calling the entire article as anti Tamil I spent nearly five hours to do the background reading to write about Tamil epigraphy and origin of Tamil language.

Before that I would like to say that I am not an ‘ethno fascist’ to claim that Tamil language was in practice since ‘Big Bang’ and on the other hand Sanskrit language is one of the classical period languages and it provides us with excellent philosophical/theological discourses in beautifully phrased hymns. To be honest I have even attended Vedic mantra chanting classes and still I can say few hymns ( I never practised these days). I attended those classes out of intellectual curiosity not because of belief or the popular claim of Sanskrit is a ‘divine’ language. I will not accept the claim ‘Sanskrit is a divine language’ and it is superior to none.

Also I am strongly challenging another statement in one of your replies. Please discuss with ORUPAPER editor regarding this.

“This explanation of Sanskrit is taken from an wikipedia the online encyclopedia:
Its position in the cultures of South and Southeast Asia is akin to that of Latin and Greek in Europe and it has evolved into as well as influenced many modern-day languages of the world”.

The Tamil is the only classical period language still spoken by people and none of the other classical period languages are spoken these days. Above every thing, the intellectual and philosophical contributions by people like Plato were delivered to the world in Latin. The only notable contribution from Sanskrit literature to the Indian sub continent was the disgraceful ‘Varnashrama system’ (caste system), which labels the people by their birth and denying the upward social mobility.

Early Tamil Epigraphy

1. The spoken form of the Tamil was in practise since second millennium B.C.
2. The written form of the Tamil was in practise as early as 5th century B.C.
3. Earliest Tamil inscriptions were available in Tamil-Brahmi.
4. The Brahmi writing system was the precursor for most of the Indian languages.
5. The Asoka – Brahmi written system was used in north India for Prakrit and Pali, which were in use at that time and Prakrit was the official language of Emperor Asoka’s kingdom.
6. The Tamil – Brahmi and Asoka – Brahmi were evolved independently and also they shared common letters initially.
7. The Tamil – Brahmi system transformed throughout the period 500 B.C to 600 A.D, around 600 A.D Tamil written system had been fixed with Vatteluththu system.
8. The Sanskrit was confined to rituals and it existed for centuries only through oral tradition, since 1200 A.D the Devanagari system was used to write Sanskrit, still local languages (written forms) also used to write Sanskrit.
9. The Tamil – Brahmi system has similarities with Harappa’s signs (pre classical civilisation) but there was not enough evidence to link both systems.

Following book is one of the best works on Tamil epigraphy.
Early Tamil Epigraphy. From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D.
By Iravatham Mahadevan

The irony is we all are discussing this topic under TEEN section!!

http://www.poonkothai.blogspot.com/

8 September 2007 - 10:17am — Uma Kumaran

Tamil Epigraphy

Hi Poonkothai,

Thanks for that very informative reply! It was most interesting (5 hours well spent).

My sources for my articles are a vast array of literature...however I used wikipedia to get quick explanation of Sanskrit for the purpose of my reply (I have simply quoted wikipedia). Please be under no illusion that I use that for my articles! You can see that your heated criticism of my work has led me to produce a strong article in the forthcoming edition of oru paper (which I hope you will enjoy as it is you that inspired me!)

Yes I agree with your description of what Sanskrit has provided in the form of literature, that is why my article uses Tamil literature and Tamil writers as examples.

Yes the sankrit hymns are wonderful (why dont you say them these days?)

I believe that even before the use of Sanskrit and maybe even any form of Aryan or Dravidian language, hindu priests simply chanted in the prayers in sounds (humming in different pitches). I had the pleasure of witnessing these prayers in kasi viswanath temple in varnasi.

Another point: You strongly believe that Sanskrit should not dominate Tamil prayers, there is one prayer abiramy andathy (ignore the spelling) that was purposely said in Sanskrit in Tamil temples as it was deemed to graphic to be recited in Tamil. I will give you the proper history after more research (to meet your standards) into it on my blog.

Yes it is funny how the 'teens' have started such a learned discussion…it is enjoyable!

9 September 2007 - 7:10am — Kalanithy

Tamil Epigraph

It was interesting to see a lot of comment and reply on this particular issue and there are lot of information.

Uma Kumaran , you should not bluff that your source was Wikipedia and you have to understand that as a writer you have a much greater responsibilities than a reader particularly when you write certain sensitive issues. There is no point apologising after causing chaos, it is important at certain level not to make a mistake which can be catastrophic.

All the best to your next article, it is important that you read it a few times and understand your readers and think before publishing.

9 September 2007 - 10:17am — Uma Kumaran

what bluff?

i am not bluffing that my source was wikipedia. It was. And ONLY used to get a simple explanation of sanskrit for that reply to poonkothai
My article was not a sensitive issue subject. There was one factual error, which has been corrected. I would hardly call that causing chaos.And i have not made any apologies.

I Do read my articles and so do the editorial team, only then does it get published.

9 September 2007 - 7:25pm — Kalanithy

Bluffing

I agree with Poonkothai and stop my discussion here. Also like to express my apologies for using slang word “Bluff”.

For Uma Kumaran, sometime a mistake (call it error or whatever) can be very costly, for example when the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten on 2005-09-30 deicide to published Prophet Mohammed cartoon, and we all know what has happen later. Was it an error or mistake or deliberate or blunder? I like to reiterate that I did not say that your article has caused chaos but has mentioned that a mistake/error / blunder can cause unrest. Also pointed out about responsibility (accountability), particularly when publishing a view or an article to public domain, it is important to understand the responsibilities come with that.

9 September 2007 - 11:19am — poonkothai

It is a sensitive issue

The origin of Tamil language and the description of Sanskrit is very much a sensitive issue for every Tamil nationalist / activist; there is no doubt about that. In Tamilnadu, during sixties people even did self immolation to express their opposition to the imposition of Hindi as an official language. If it is a fault then we should have the courtesy to accept that fault as a fault. Especially in this case it is not a simple error of a sentence; it’s an outcome of a ‘system failure’ where very sensitive and factually incorrect information managed to ‘sneak’ through the system. The word ‘bluff’ should not have been used by Kalanithy in this circumstance Since Uma has accepted the ‘error’ (more dignified word for mistake?).
This is the time to end this discussion.

10 September 2007 - 11:55pm — editor

From the editorial team ...

Thank you all for making valuable comments on Uma Kumaran's article. We do agree that her statement ("Tamil is among the oldest languages in the world and is derived from the oldest of all the languages Sanskrit") doesn't comply with Oru Paper's ideological stand.

However, you should be aware that her article was published in the "teens paper", under the forum section, where our youth can freely express their views. While a section of Tamil people would argue for what Uma wrote, she has accepted it as a factual error and she is showing interest in learning more on this subject.

The irony is some of you have gone too extreme to call her as a person with "Iyar mentality" and accused her as she is creating chaos. Please do not try to show your emotion on a budding writer. Instead show your support to our youngsters and appreciate their work. You can correct them when they are wrong, and engage in constructive debates, but please do not pick on them for the sake of arguing.
Let us put a full stop to this thread here.

Regards
Gopi Ratnam

13 September 2007 - 1:12pm — eelavan