The Indian Weekender - Kiwi-Indian Hall of Fame Special - 07 October 2022

Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 7 October, 2022
FEATURES 31
Bonding over Tamil culture
Czech Professor Dr Kamil V. Zvelebil
once said, “There is no doubt that
the culture of the Tamils belongs
to the great and immortal treasures of
the world’s civilisation.”
And the Kiwi-Tamil diaspora in New
Zealand has been doing its bit to
preserve the rich Tamil culture and
heritage in Aotearoa.
And that explains that there are
various Tamil associations across NZ
in cities such as Auckland, Wellington,
Hamilton, Christchurch, Dunedin,
Taranaki and Blenheim.
There are more than 15
associations that cater
to around 5000 strong
Tamil community
members in NZ.
Tamil Society
Waikato (TSW) - a
nonprofit organisation
founded in 1989 - is
doing its bit to promote
the Tamil language, culture and
literature.
Giving details about the association,
which has been in existence for over
three decades, its president Srinivasan
Jaganathan says, “It was started with
just nine families in 1989 and had been
relentlessly working to promote Tamil
language, culture and literature.
"Today, we have over 200 members.
And nearly 500 people attend our bigger
events.”
TSW is also working with multicultural
associations and has recently started
initiatives to bring the Maori community
and Tamil community for better
understanding of each other’s cultural
values to bring harmony to society.
Explaining TSW’s body of work,
Jaganathan says, “We run weekly Tamil
language classes during the weekends.
We also endeavour to promote music
and celebrate Tamil cultural festivals
like Pongal, Tamil New year, and arts
festivals.
"We also promote Tamil ethnic foods
from Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and
Singapore. We want our new generations
to know our roots and respect other
cultures.”
TSW did a Kari Virunthu (Food
festival) last year where more than 500
people were served at the table. They
also did Deepavali Arts and Food festival
in Hamilton Gardens in 2020, where
many Indian associations in Hamilton
participated.
TSW is a member association of the
Aotearoa New Zealand Federation of
Tamil Sangams (ANTS) and celebrated
Pongal in the parliament.
“It was started with just
nine families in 1989 and
had been relentlessly
working to promote Tamil
language, culture and
literature. Today, we have
over 200 members. And
nearly 500 people attend
our bigger events.”
TSW actively participated in the Covid
vaccination program, along with the
Ministry of Health, for translating Covid
information into the Tamil language and
brought doctors to advise the people in
Tamil on how to survive.
On a parting note, Jaganathan revealed
that they intend to build a strong
network to help the Tamil community
to achieve well in business, technology,
and sports and do more in physical and
mental health and wellbeing.
“We would like to work with the
Government and other cultural
organisations for the betterment of
Tamil and New Zealand communities,”
he signs off.
Vector Lights celebrate Diwali Festival
SUPPLIED CONTENT
Vector Lights is celebrating Auckland Diwali
Festival with full zeal. The Auckland Harbour
Bridge will join Te Ara I Whiti – The Lightpath
and Queen Street Lights in a vibrant celebration of
the Festival of Lights. The spectacular Vector Lights
show which started on 5 October and will run every 30
minutes from 8.00pm to Sunday 9 October.
Vector Lights is part of a ten-year smart energy
partnership between Vector, Auckland Council, and
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. Vector Lights is
an experience and a destination, giving Aucklanders a
focal point for celebration and recognition.
Throughout the year we light up the Auckland
Harbour Bridge at different times to celebrate
important events, festivals and days of significance.
Since 2018 Vector Lights has been supporting the
Auckland Diwali Festival.
“We’re excited that the Auckland Diwali Festival is
returning to Aotea Square and Upper Queen Street
for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic. To
add to the festivities, the Auckland Harbour Bridge
will be dazzled in the bright colours of Diwali. The
colourful array will be made out in rangoli patterns,
with the art form being a huge part of traditional
Indian celebrations. Accompanying the light show is
a soundtrack that can be listened to live at https://
www.vector.co.nz/about-us/sponsorship/lights/lightevents,
” says the spokesperson from Vector.
The show will showcase the full array of colour
that is synonymous with the Auckland Diwali Festival,
including dynamic fuchsia pink, yellow, crimson, purple,
and green.
The lights embody the vibrancy and energy this
traditional Indian festival brings.
The best spots to watch Vector Lights for Auckland
Diwali Festival are:
• Westhaven Marina
• Silo Park
• The end of Halsey Wharf (just out from the Viaduct
Events Centre)
• The end of Princes Wharf (outside the Hilton
Auckland hotel)
• The end of Queens Wharf (in front of The Cloud and
The Lighthouse)
• Little Shoal Bay
• Hinemoa Park next to the Birkenhead Ferry Terminal
• Maungawhau Mt Eden
• Bayswater MarinaTakurunga Mt Victoria