Parra News 26 October 2021

LOCAL NEWS
Celebrating Tamil pride
Not-for-profit Kamban Kazhagam Australia reaches 15-year milestone
NICOLA BARTON
Kamban Kazhagam Australia is
celebrating 15 years of bringing
Tamil culture to Australia.
The not-for-profit organisation, based in
Westmead, is named after legendary poet
Kamban and is dedicated to the learning
and appreciation of his renowned literary
works Kamba Ramayanam.
Kamban Kazhagam Australia was established
to bring the teachings and lessons
of the Kamba Ramayanam to Australia.
Now, for 15 years, they have promoted
and developed the valuable teachings of
the Kamba Ramayanam to both new and
learned audiences, including advocating
for the growth of Tamil among young
Australians.
Mathurshan Sangarathasan, a young
member of the organisation, said being of
Tamil ancestry, one of the oldest cultures
and languages in the world, is something
that he’s extremely proud of.
“A main focus for us has been accessibility,
which has allowed us to enable free
classes for senior, intermediate and beginner
level speakers to grow and develop
Kamban Kazhagam Australia is celebrating 15 years.
their own skills in Tamil,” he said.
“Starting senior classes in 2013, I have
developed positive attributes in strengthening
my language, communication and
philosophical thinking.
“Through our weekly classes we have
established public speaking forums and
contests which provide our students an
opportunity to build confidence in their
spoken literacy.”
Kamban Kazhagam is a volunteer-run
organisation that is heavily rooted within
the Australian community, assisting
with Clean Up Australia Day and having
donated in excess of $15,000 to the NSW
Fire Brigade as a result of the 2020 bushfires.
The group hosts cultural events ranging
from music, performance and literary
arts, all aimed to increase involvement
and spread the creative nuances of Tamil
culture.
These annual events showcase the
display of artistic abilities spread throughout
the Australian community, combined
with international talent.
“Aside from growing my love for the
Tamil language and culture, over the last
eight years I’ve grown a family of likeminded
individuals whom I meet weekly
to learn, share thoughts and discuss introspective
applications of age-old cultural
practises,” Mr Sangarathasan said.
“It is fascinating to explore the ‘iliad and
odysseys’, the legends, myths, tales and
cultural intricacies of the Tamil language.
“15 years of passion driven work by
Kamban Kazhagam has allowed me to
develop a sense of cultural awareness,
while increasing the discussion surrounding
Tamil arts in the community.”
parra news » Tuesday, October 26, 2021
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