Tamil Language Festival marks 20 years with push for greater engagement

At the event, Mr Dinesh highlighted the pressing need for the council to tackle the declining number of families speaking Tamil at home.

The council will actively study strategies to reverse this trend and better equip parents with the resources to cultivate in their children a genuine love for their mother tongue from a young age, he added.

“The Tamil Promotion Council reflects the community’s aspiration of bringing Tamil to all segments of society,” Mr Dinesh said. “We plan to pay particular attention to our youth, and to do so in an engaging manner through digital platforms, AI and innovative initiatives.”

The council will also engage young people directly to understand their unique perspectives on how the mother tongue should be promoted and kept relevant in a rapidly evolving, modern digital landscape.

This focus on youth and active participation came through during the launch event. In a story relay segment, President Tharman provided a narrative prompt in Tamil, and students then collaboratively and creatively completed the tale live on stage.

TLC chairman Naseer Ghani urged the community to weave Tamil into their daily routines, moving beyond mere appreciation of the language.

“Rather than merely praising Tamil, it is only by practising, using and breathing life into it that it will endure as a prominent living language for many years to come,” he said.

Reflecting on the festival’s two-decade journey, Mr Naseer proudly noted that students who participated in earlier editions have since grown to assume leadership roles in various community organisations, and this was testament to the festival’s enduring impact.

The evening concluded with a vibrant, colourful mix of music, storytelling and dance performances, some of which served as exciting previews of upcoming events staged by the festival’s partner organisations.

Those who wish to see the details of the festival’s programmes can visit www.tamil.org.sg.