Embracing the ‘Azhagu’ of Tamil Language

Speech by Mr Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Social and Family Development, at the ‘Beauty In Poetry’ Event for Tamil Language Festival 2023, on 29 April 2023

1. VANAKKAM. A wonderful evening to all of you, and I am happy to join you at today’s ‘Beauty in Poetry’ event, part of this year’s Tamil Language Festival, to celebrate the beauty of Tamil language and culture in Singapore.
   
   

   Tamil Language Festival 2023

2. Singapore is a multicultural society that celebrates our diversity. Our four languages are part of Singapore’s rich cultural heritage, and collectively play an important role in anchoring our national identity.
3. Since 2007, the Tamil Language Council, together with Tamil organisations, community partners and other agencies, have been organising programmes for the Tamil Language Festival.
4. Each year, the festival presents a wide variety of literary, oratorical, arts and culture programmes. Through these programmes, the festival encourages members of the public to “Love Tamil, Speak Tamil”, embrace the mother tongue, and enjoy using the language in our daily lives.
5. This year marks the 17th edition of the Tamil Language Festival. The theme for this year is ‘Azhagu’, or ‘Beauty’. This aptly highlights the beauty of the Tamil language. Throughout April, we had some 42 programmes by 43 partners. We are almost at the tail-end of the month, and I’m sure that all of us have enjoyed many exciting and enriching programmes in the month of April.
6. I am heartened to see the community coming together yet again to present an exciting and diverse line-up of programmes for the festival. This is a very powerful testimony to the vibrancy of the Tamil language and culture in Singapore, and the efforts of our community partners like Singapore Kadayanallur Muslim League, or SKML, organisers of today’s event.
   
   

   ‘Beauty in Poetry’ by SKML

7. SKML is a pioneer in the Indian Muslim community, and has done a lot of good work in supporting the Indian Muslims. Beyond that, it also played a pivotal role in the development of Tamil language in Singapore.
8. In the 1940s, SKML members worked hard to establish the Umar Pulavar Tamil School, the first and only Tamil-medium high school in Singapore, which saw many of its alumni go on to become Tamil teachers and educators. Even today, SKML continues to contribute to various fields, including the arts, media, literature, and Tamil language education. A big thank you for your contribution to Singapore all these years.
9. Today, SKML honours the individuals who have made significant contributions to the community and in promoting the Tamil language in Singapore. They are, in no order of merit:
   1. Mr S. Devendran, CEO of Sree Narayana Mission,
   2. Ms Joyce Kingsley, former Chairperson of the Women's Wing for Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association (LISHA), and
   3. Mr Abdul Kader, former Chairman of SKM Co-Operative.
10. My heartiest congratulations to them.
11. We also have well-known singer-songwriter Shabir Sulthan with us today.  I’m sure many of you are looking forward to the chat later with Shabir. He is a young artist who is flying the Singapore flag high in Kollywood. His intense passion and love for the language and art can be seen in his works, outshining his peers. He is a truly powerful role model, among other individuals, in promoting the Tamil language, especially to our younger generation.
    
    

    Conclusion

12. On that note, a big thank you SKML once again for inviting me to be a part of this momentous celebration.
13. It is my strong belief that SKML and the rest of the Tamil community will continue to explore new ways in promoting and celebrating the Tamil language, and cultivate greater appreciation of the language, especially amongst younger Singaporeans.
14. NANDRI VANAKKAM, and a Joyous Aidilfitri to all our Muslim friends in the audience today. I wish everyone a great evening ahead. Thank you very much.