Archive for the ‘Cafe’ Category
Thaalam 2014By Admin - October 19th, 2013 |
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We’re back!!! Yes, that’s right! We’re back to see if you’re ready to rise up to the challenge once again! The Arts and Culture Council of Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance (CTYA) will be hosting its third Annual Thaalam dance competition in March 2014!!! The Arts and Culture Council of CTYA strives to create an environment for youth that is inspiring and conducive of self-expression through the arts and culture. Among its key objectives are the improvement, re-orientation and expansion of programs that promote the arts and Tamil culture to Canadian Tamil youth and the broader Canadian community. Dance is an integral part of art, as it is a form in which individuals are able to express themselves through movement. In essence, it captivates the viewers and commonly depicts a story without words. Individuals or groups of dancers unite and create a trance that allures people together and is often complimented by music and costume. In an attempt to showcase the power of dance, Thaalam was held in the past and was proven to be a successful event. Thaalam is a Tamil dance competition in which students from various schools come together and compete. Thaalam works to preserve the Tamil identity as the Tamil language, culture, and history is being represented and strengthened. Through Thaalam, Tamil dancers have a venue to display their talent and passion for dance. Thaalam 2014 will bring exciting opportunities for our youth. As requested from the dancers, there will be a total cash prize of $5,000 for the winners. Thaalam will also introduce “Nerukku Ner”, A Dance Championship in order to provide more opportunities for our youth to showcase their talents. More details on Nerukku Ner will be announced soon. We are proud to announce that Thaalam will be taking place on March 22nd 2014 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre’s John Bassett Theatre. The Arts and Culture Council of CTYA is currently accepting teams who would like to participate in this much anticipated dance competition. Teams that are interested must confirm their participation by November 10, 2013. We are also looking forward to working with talented and dedicated youth who are enthusiastic in helping coordinate Thaalam 2014. If you would like to participate and/or volunteer for the Thaalam dance competition please contact CTYA’s Arts and Culture Council at arts.culture@ctya.org or 647-470-CTYA(2892). Let’s work together and make another memorable event! |
“Fake it ‘til you make it”By Admin - July 18th, 2013 |
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Written By: Senthamil Stefi I came across a very interesting article yesterday that heavily contradicted the ideologies I built over the course of time while growing up. Who would have thought that being boastful was actually a good thing? According to researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, the art of bragging can actually bring you farther in life than others. Basically, the whole notion of “fake it ‘til you make it” can ironically work in your favour. You would think that being humble would make you a more likeable person and further you in a corporate ladder… however, being humble may also cause people to over look your skill sets and choose another candidate that “seems” to be more skilled than yourself. Overconfidence essentially gives you a rise in social stature, an image that you attain through a figment of imagination or the perception you have of yourself or of your future self. This in turn causes those around you to believe that perception and believe that you are far more than what you actually are. Not only will this put your competition at a disadvantage but will also shine light on you and cause a superior to notice you out of a flock of sheep. Goals that in any ordinary case that would be unattainable would become within arm’s reach. So in conclusion, cockiness actually interestingly has quite the high return. |
Blemishes Banished!By Admin - July 17th, 2013 |
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Written by: Gayathiri Sivakumar Ingredients: 2 tablespoons – Vepampoo Illai (Neem) You can use neem leaves (ground) or neem leaves powder. (If you are using neem leaves, boil the neem leaves then grind them using a mortar and pestle) 1 tablespoon – Manjal (Tumeric) 1 table spoon – Lemon juice Directions: Mix ingredients throughly in a small bowl to form a paste, you can add more powder until you achieve a paste form. Apply mixture over your face for half and hour, then rinse with tepid water. Splash cold water on your face and moisturize. |
Dear Younger SelfBy Admin - July 17th, 2013 |
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Written By: Dhabisha Kohilanathan As the two hands on the clock tick away slowly and steadily, we cannot help but utter the infamous “time flies by fast” phrase. One day, we find ourselves working long hours and being oblivious of time. The next day, we find our lonely selves staring straight into a wall, suddenly conscious of time. During this reflective moment, we lose our ignorance towards time and ponder over our future, our minds becoming filled with tasks, goals, and dreams. However, the other side of our brain also dozes off to the past, pondering over memories and replaying the good old days. Sometimes, when I reflect upon my past and compare it to my present time, I cannot help but mutter to myself: “I wish I had known/did this when I was younger.” As much as we cannot go back and change our past, the change we wish to become lies in our very own hands. Over the past years, I have grasped onto five ideal principles that have allowed my mind and my soul to become more wise and appreciative of life. 1) Do not give your ear to others’ negative words As cliché as it may sound, do not care about what others think about you. 2) Always be strong Life is not simple. In fact, it is a long learning process that is filled with spontaneous smiles and tears. However, even if your feet slip into large potholes, it is important to always help yourselves up. As soon as you let your guard down, there are people who are ready to take advantage of your weak state. Being brave in your mind and soul will allow you to feel more positive and will scare your enemies away! 3) Be true to those who are true to you As you grow with age, you realize that it is not about how many friends you have, but how genuine your friends are. |
No rationale, just lifeBy Admin - July 17th, 2013 |
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Written By: Shayanika Suresh Some moments in life have no rationale Why do they happen, how do they take place? Perhaps only fate could explain its game. Lasting forever in our memories, Not all are happy, for some make us cry, But there is always a time, one moment, Where we realize that all has a purpose. Suddenly our hearts weigh lighter, we smile, That is a sign that the hurdle has passed. Never saw it coming, just looked ahead, Don’t know if we jumped, or ran straight through it, But all that matters is that now, it’s gone. |
They call it “Maanam”By Admin - July 17th, 2013 |
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Written By: Keerthana Raveendran Spotless, glistening house? Check. Freshly prepared, delicious meal? Check. Overdressed house folk bearing charming grins and perfect posture? Check and check. Alright, then. Bring on the guests. Perhaps you’ve been in this position before. Perhaps this scenario is even far too familiar to you. If your family is anything like mine, preparing for visitors is very much like getting ready for an open house: you always, always put your best foot forward. It’s surprising the lengths Tamil people will go in order to impress family and friends, and while I’ve often pondered a derisive, ‘Why?’ as I lit incense to mask the strong aroma of the twelve different curries my mom and I spent five hours before guest arrival preparing, I think I’ve managed to boil it all down to one word, friends—and that word is: maanam. Maanam, loosely translated to dignity, is a key aspect of Tamil culture, and every detail of one’s life, from appearance and possessions to personality and career goals, is scrutinized by peers to determine one’s self-worth—or at least, that’s how it worked with our parents back home. Now, that’s pressure. After all, this increased emphasis on the importance of dignity in daily life means that we are constantly acting to present ourselves as images of perfection. Because if we pretend to be perfect around everyone we know, that must mean that we’re well-respected in society, right? What we often forget in situations like these is that we are indeed human. We are not perfect. Our houses don’t always look like Ikea showrooms. We don’t eat twelve different curries with idiyappam, puddu, and idli for dinner every night. And we definitely don’t always sit with perfect, rigid postures for long periods of time when we watch TV or carry small talk. It’s okay to be flawed and to embrace our misgivings. Maybe it’s even okay to redefine the idea of maanam as we know it. Because here’s a thought: if we stop feigning flawlessness in company, perhaps we’ll find that we’re more alike than we thought. |
Bhoomi Enna Suthudhe Dance – WessTigga & PointDxterBy Editor - May 9th, 2013 |
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It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary, just a normal day of hanging out with buddies, which eventually took a turn. Releasing a video together had been a long awaited project that, due to time constraints, had been constantly pushed back. |
Seeking Refuge in the Virtual WorldBy Editor - February 17th, 2013 |
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Written by: Dhabisha Kohilanathan Is modern technology nurturing individuals to seek happiness solely in the virtual world? |
The Tease of FreedomBy Shayanika - February 12th, 2013 |
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Chirp, chirp. Chirp, chirp. What was that sound, she thought. It was getting closer and closer. She had been leaning her back on the bars refusing to let herself look out the window. She now turned slowly towards the window to see where the sound was coming from. She was impressed at the sight that met her eyes. |
Book Ends: Love AnthonyBy Editor - January 4th, 2013 |
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Written By: Raghavi S. Lisa Genova, author of best-selling books Left Neglected and Still Alice, brings to us another heartfelt story in her latest book, Love Anthony. |
