Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
News Release: CTYA Stands in Solidarity with the Jaffna Students protesting the decision to defer the release of the UNHRC reportBy Editor - February 24th, 2015 |
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The Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance (CTYA) strongly disagrees with the latest UN decision to defer the release of the investigation into the mass crimes committed by the Sri Lankan state against the Tamil people. The UN has continued to fail the Tamil community in search for accountability through international measures, as this deferral is a direct denial of human rights and justice. |
Callout for Board of Directors – 2015By Editor - January 30th, 2015 |
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Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance (CTYA) is seeking dynamic individuals who are responsible, enthusiastic and creative to join our Board of Directors. We are seeking for candidates that can utilize their experience, skills, and passion to empower youth to provide new innovative ideas and enhance the delivery of our services. |
We must never forget. The significance of our Maveerarkal and Kaarthikai Poo.By Admin - November 8th, 2014 |
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We must never forget. The significance of our Maveerarkal and Kaarthikai Poo. Written by: Mathusan Mahalingam karthikaiThe month of Karthaikai, November, marks great significance for us Eelam Tamils around the globe. November is a month dedicated to commemorating our Maveerarkal, and their selfless sacrifices for our nation. Many Tamil Student Associations at various universities and colleges work in organizing numerous programs that seek to educate peers of the sacrifices of our Maveerarkal, and to commemorate them. Through musicals, dramas, speeches, poetry readings and alternative campaigns, Canadian Tamil youth accept their responsibility of educating and respecting the tremendous sacrifices of our Maveerarkal. Every year, partaking in such events, brings me a sense of peace, hope and strength. Every year without fail, through such events, I am reminded again, of the humble, and selfless sacrifices of our brothers and sisters, and realize their undeniable love for our Motherland, Tamileelam. This month, the Kaarthikai Poo, is also worn proudly by many. The Kaarthikai Poo was designated as the Tamil Eelam National Flower in 2003. The Kaarthikai Poo contains the spectrum of colours of the Tamileelam National Flag – Red, and Yellow. Furthermore, in the month of November, this flower blooms throughout the Tamil homeland, in the north and the east. In English, the Karthikai Poo is known as the ‘Glorisa Lily’, or alternatively as the Flame Lily. Some of the properties of the flower itself are quite remarkable and inspirational. Unlike other flowers that quickly wither when cut and placed in flower within a few days, the Karthikai Poo can survive and endure for up to four weeks when cut and placed in water. But, what is most astounding of this flower, is that it symbolizes regeneration and rebirth. Once the flower has bloomed once, the growth tip of the bulb of the flower actually grows another fork tuber, producing another bulb, and another flower. The Kaarthikai Poo, in its properties, produces two other bulbs, and thus two new flowers from its seed. So from each flower, comes two new flowers. A powerful analogy can be drawn from this property to our Maveerarkal, who become seeds of revolution and hope in their passing, and thus, using the Kaarthikai Poo as a symbol, is truly powerful. Assigning specific flowers as state flowers, or national flowers is a tradition that has been practiced for many centuries, the assigning of flowers to symbolic significance began with the assigning of specific deities specific flowers. This tradition is carried out today, where nations, and states continue to assign flowers of significance to commemorate specific occasions, or to particular nations. This month especially, we must all come together at these events, and show our respect for our Maveerarkal, and we must all wear the Kaarthikai Poo proudly. If your school is organizing an event, go to it, show support and respect for our heroes. We must all educate our peers, and co-workers of their significance, and most of all, we must remember. They gave up their lives so we could be free, and we must never forget them, but instead, move their dreams forward. Source: “Bulbs and Summer Flowering: Gloriosa Lily.” Garden Express. 2011. Retrieved from http://www.gardenexpress.com.au/gloriosa-lily/. November 01, 2011. |
Tamileelam Challenge Cup 2014 – SoccerBy Admin - August 26th, 2014 |
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It is that time of year again, when your favourite soccer teams come together to the most anticipated soccer tournament of the year, Tamileelam Challenge Cup! Tamileelam Challenge Cup 2013 will be hosted by the Athletic Council of Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance in partnership with Canadian Tamil Sports Association (CTSA). This year the tournament will be taking place on Saturday August 30th, 2014. This tournament not only strives to develop leadership skills and good sportsmanship among our youth but gives our youth an opportunity to maintain our identity through sports. To encourage the Tamil identity, the awards for best players of the tournament will be given under the names of national symbols of Tamil Eelam; Vaahaibeing the national Tree; Siruththai being the national animal; and Chenbagam being the national bird. Tamileelam Challenge Cup 2014 will be our sixth annual tournament making it an even more extraordinary event. The one day tournament will feature youth games from under 8 to under 14. It will also feature the always competitive Under 16 cup and the Open Men’s cup. If you are interested in playing in this year’s Tamileelam Challenge Cup 2014 please email us at atheletics@ctya.org. Don’t miss out on this year’s exciting, competitive games at the Tamileelam Challenge Cup 2014! |
Tamileelam Challenge Cup 2014 – Cricket ResultsBy Admin - August 6th, 2014 |
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Tamileelam Challenge Cup 2014 – Cricket Results Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance’s Athletic Committee (CTYA) successfully held its fifth annual Tamileelam Challenge Cup Cricket Tournament. This Challenge Cup Cricket Tournament took place Sunday August 3rd. Awards for best players were presented; each one being representative of Tamil Eelam’s National symbols: Vaahai being the national Tree; Siruththai being the national animal; and Chenbagam being the national bird. The Vaahai award was presented to the bowler of the series, Karthik from Black Cats. The Chenbagam award was presented to the batsman of the series, Vicky from Knights C.C. Finally the Siruthai was presented to Kutty from Black Cats for being the all rounder player of the series. The Tamileelam Challenge Cup Champions 2014 were Black Cats. CTYA held its first Tamileelam Challenge Cup Soccer Tournament in early August 2009. It was a great success, and with the support of the Canadian Tamil community, CTYA has subsequently hosted several other sports tournaments. These events were aimed at encouraging Tamil youth in sports, including various other sports tournaments and women’s sports training. The Athletics Council of CTYA seeks to provide Canadian Tamil youth with an avenue to develop their leadership skills through athletics and recreational programs. The aim of this council is to educate through athletics, promote outstanding sportsmanship and build team spirit. |
Tamileelam F.A. participates in ConIFA World Football Cup in SwedenBy Admin - May 30th, 2014 |
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Tamileelam F.A participates in the ConIFA World Football Cup in Sweden. Check out the team! Umaesh Sundaralingam- Canada Medical Staff Theepan Thurais- France Go Team Tamileelam! |
Thaalam Greetings from MP John Carmichael!By Admin - March 19th, 2014 |
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March 22, 2013 Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance Thaalam 2014 Dear Friends and Family of the Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance, It is a privilege for me, on behalf of the Conservative Government of Canada, to congratulate you on hosting Thaalam 2014: The Ultimate Gaana Competition. I am very proud of the diversity and multiculturalism of our city and delighted that so many customs and traditions are part of our culture. The performances that proceed today will marvel audiences and provide a great opportunity to highlight the remarkable achievements of Youth in the Tamil-Canadian community. It is a pleasure for me to extend my warmest greetings and very best wishes to those attending today’s functions organized by the Arts and Culture Council of CTYA. Sincerely, John Carmichael |
Love is an actionBy Admin - February 13th, 2014 |
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Painted By: Keethi Karunakaran As we all know, February is known for Black History Month but it is also when we celebrate Valentines Day. This artwork was inspired by a couple in their late 80’s. They’ve been together for many years now. Today is their anniversary and the man still finds his wife as young and radiant as when he met her all those years ago. They sit down together to watch TV together. They don’t really like any of the shows and they don’t pay much attention. In fact, they sit there complaining about the bad acting in the Big Valley and how Dr. Phil doesn’t ever know how to really help anyone. I couldn’t figure out why they did this for the longest time, but when I started sitting down and listening to them, I realized that they have so much fun cracking jokes back and forth and making sarcastic remarks about how the actors’ daddies must have payed to produce the shows or how any girl that falls in love with the Cartwright boys in Bonanza either dies or has to move away. They aren’t entertained by what’s on TV. They just love sitting together every day and finding ways to make each other laugh. Let this be an inspiration to those young couples out there. One of the first things that comes out of young people’s mouths when they’re in love. FOREVER. And that’s cool, it’s all good-until you get old enough to realize what forever is. Check out Keethi’s other paintings! A picture is worth 1000 words. |
Iymperumkaapiyangal: The Five Great Epics of Tamil LiteratureBy Admin - January 17th, 2014 |
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This post is part of the Tamil Heritage Month Initiative. Tamil Heritage Month seeks to celebrate Tamil heritage, culture, and history. Throughout this month and January, we will be providing you with educational material and poetry that seeks to help us celebrate and understand our culture, roots and heritage. By: Rumya Nithiananthan Interestingly, it is presumed that Tamil literature personifies as a young woman, while the Iymperumkaapiya narratives are analogous to the articles of jewellery that give beauty to this young woman. On that note, the following looks at the five narratives in detail and their significance to understanding Tamil heritage and culture. Silappathikaaram: Silappathikaaram has the word Silambu meaning “anklets” in its origin. Thus, the text Silappathikaaram is to represent the anklets that give beauty to the young women of Tamil literature. Written by Illango Adiygal in the 1st century CE, this non-religious text is written in a monologue-poetic form having 5270 lines. Silappathikaaram deals with the story of Kannagi, a young virtuous and just woman. To begin, Kannagi lived with her husband Kovalan in the city of Poomboohaar (Puhar) of the Chola dynasty. Kovalan, after meeting Madhavi, he had an extramarital affair with her and ended up spending his wealth on her. After having realized his mistake, he returned to Kannagi with only a pair of anklets (Silambu) and the couple decided to move to Madurai, in an effort to start a new life. In Madurai, while trying to sell the anklets for cash, Kovalan was accused of stealing the anklets of the Queen and was held captive by the Pandya kings’ authorities. Unfortunately, Kovalan gets persecuted by the authorities. In a fit of rage, Kannagi set off to the king’s palace to show that the Silambu of the kings was of Pearls while the one of Kovalan had been of gems. Kannagi, after proving the innocence of her husband, set the city of Madurai on fire. Based on the various settings of the text, Silappathikaaram is divided into 3 main sections –Puhaarkaandam, Maduraikaandam and Vanchikaandam. The Puhaarkaandam, set in the territory of the Chola Empire, contains 10 Kaathais or portions while Maduraikaandam includes 13 Kaathais and Vanchikaandam consists of 7 Kaathais. Read More |
Markham Thai Pongal Celebrations!By Admin - January 5th, 2014 |
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Thai Pongal has been celebrated for over 2,200 years by Tamils worldwide. Pongal is a non-religious festival celebrated over four days to honour and thank Nature and the Agricultural livestock for supporting our livelihood. Markham became the first municipality in Canada to officially recognize this auspicious celebration by proclaiming January 13, 14 and 15 as Tamil Heritage Days/Tamil New Year/Thai Pongal. Please join us as we celebrate Thai Pongal to experience the display of a rich culture, enjoy entertainment by young talented artists and partake in homemade traditional refreshments. We look forward to seeing you there! |
