Just celebrated the launch of Tamil Heritage Month across Canada yesterday. There will be a variety of events, the first of which I played a role in was yesterday’s kick-off celebrated at the Middlefield Collegiate Institute here in Markham, a part of the greater city of Toronto. We had a chance to put up our

Just returned from a lively and rewarding joint meeting in Miami, Florida. The American Folklore Society and the International Society for Folk Narrative Research joined together there last week for an amazing event, creating an energized mix of people from around the world. The common core of research interests was the surprising power and persistence

Watched a marvelous Tamil kootthu folk drama in Toronto Sunday evening. The title of the drama was Indru poi, naalai vaa which carries a wider meaning something like: “The war is not over yet. Be prepared for my intended return to defeat you.” This particular story, excerpted from the Ramayana, is told from Ravana’s point

Thanks for the warm welcome! There is a visit “in the works” but I do not have a date set for this yet. I just attended a conference held at the Sultan Idris Education University in Malaysia. I need to rest up a bit from that travel adventure before embarking on another long trip!  

WE ARE LAUNCHED AND PADDLING FAST! I am happy to announce the launch of our new educational foundation website: www.sophiahilton.com You will find lots of teaching materials there that relate to the Legend of Ponnivala story. There is also a Q & A section if you want to ask a question or make a comment. Our graphic

நாட்டுப்புறவியல் ஆய்வாளர் பிருந்தா பெக்(Brenda Beck) அவர்களைச் சந்தித்த இனிய பொழுது… என் கனடாப் பயணத்தில் பேராசிரியர் பிருந்தா பெக் அவர்களை அவர்தம் இல்லத்திற்குச் சென்று சந்திக்கும் வாய்ப்பு அமைந்தது. இவர் கொங்கு மண்டலத்தில் புகழ்பெற்று விளங்கும் பொன்னர் சங்கர் வரலாற்றை விரிவாக ஆய்வு செய்தவர்(1964-66). ஓர் ஆய்வாளர் எவ்வாறு இருக்க வேண்டும் என்பதற்கு எடுத்துக்காட்டாக வாழ்ந்து வருகின்றார். இவர்தம் இல்லத்தில் ஆய்வு சார்ந்து தொகுத்து வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ள ஆவணங்கள் நமக்கு முன்மாதிரியாக உள்ளன. தமிழ்நாட்டுச் சாயலில் இரண்டு

I just spent a nice weekend in Grand Rapids, MI where I was an invited speaker at an annual Tamil Sangam gathering. It was a particular pleasure to be asked to recognize a number of young students by handing out certificates for significant progress this past school year in learning Tamil. Here are a few

I had a lovely time yesterday as Chief Guest at the Tamilnadu Cultural Society of Canada’s Festive celebration of Mother’s Day here in Toronto. I got to light the lamp, meet friends and was even honored in the customary way with brightly colored shawl. My return gift was a short (less than fluent) speech about how

The graphic novel book sets I mentioned my last post have just been reprinted in India. They can now be purchased via VPP (pay on delivery). Just write to The Nachimuthu Industrial Association, 180 Race Course Road, Coimbatore 691 018, Tamilnadu, India. The cost is Indian Rupees 800 per book or Rs. 1600 per set.

Such a nice note just came in from Shrenik Haran. He writes: I met you at the “Chennai Storytelling Festival 2016”, India. You had signed a copy of “The Legend of Ponnivala Part-2” especially for me. I just got my hands on the Part-1 this afternoon and it was so interesting i just couldn’t put