Tamil, a language spoken by about 85 million people in India and other places, including Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, and Europe, is one of the oldest surviving classical languages in the world dating back more than 2000 years. Its history, literature, and culture are inexhaustibly rich. The Tamil language has played a significant part in the development of Indian religions, including Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, and Christianity.
It is not an exaggeration to say that the Hinduism of today would be utterly different if it had not been for the great poet-saints of Tamil, who developed the traditions of Hindu devotion that characterize Hinduism wherever it is practiced. In addition to the richness of its older heritage, Tamil has an immense and growing modern literature and a vast entertainment industry that includes, among other things, film, television, dance, and music. Tamil is a language of great importance for the world, both in its classical manifestations and in its dynamic life of today.
This initiative is to create a robust, self-sufficient institute that focuses not only on language and history but also on the arts, customs, and traditions of Tamil. We hope to create an institute of Tamil learning that will enable scholarly research into and teaching of the many aspects of Tamil and its culture. The institute will serve not only the enormous Tamil diaspora in this country and around the world but also Tamilars in India and Sri Lanka, who will be invited to participate. There is a need for a project such as this. Tamilars, both in India and around the world, are increasingly becoming aware of how precious their language and culture are. As a result, more and more are getting involved in efforts to understand and perpetuate the richness of their traditions and history. Now is the ideal time to establish an institute for the study of Tamil and its culture.
To develop the institute that is envisioned, the support of all Tamilars will be needed. While individual Tamil chairs have been established at other universities, there is a great need for an institute that includes more than one professor and brings together all aspects of Tamil studies and culture. The ultimate goal of the institute is to become the beacon for the Tamilar diaspora and to all those fascinated by the language and culture. Within this larger initiative, we envision several entities that will be developed in parallel, as listed below.
We hope that you will contribute to this initiative, which is of such importance for Tamil and Tamilars diaspora. Your contribution will help to establish a vibrant and comprehensive institute in the US so that the study of the language and its culture can flourish for our children and grandchildren.
We hope that you will leave your or your family’s legacy by adopting/endowing the various proposed projects. The minimum commitment to endow any of the projects is $25,000. Commitments may be fulfilled within a 5-year time frame. The projects, once fully-funded, will carry the name of your choice. Namings and Institutes are subject to approvals per FIU Policies. If you wish to support one of the projects below, contact Dr. Mathee at matheek@fiu.edu and David Skipp at dskipp@fiu.edu who can assist with a formal gift agreement.
தமிழ் மற்றும் தமிழர் புலம்பெயர் ஆய்வுகளுக்கான நிறுவனத்தை நிலைநாட்ட முயற்சி
@ புளோரிடா சர்வதேச பல்கலைக்கழகம்
தமிழ் இந்தியாவிலும் இலங்கை, சிங்கப்பூர், மலேசியா, கனடா மற்றும் ஐரோப்பா உள்ளிட்ட பிற இடங்களிலும் சுமார் 85 மில்லியன் மக்கள் பேசும் மொழி. இம்மொழியின் வரலாறு 2000 ஆண்டுகளுக்கும் மேல். ஆகவே உலகின் மிகப் பழமையான பாரம்பரிய மொழிகளில் இதுவும் ஒன்றாகும். தமிழ் வரலாறு, இலக்கியம் மற்றும் கலாச்சாரம் விவரிக்க முடியாத அளவிற்கு செறிவூட்டிய மொழி. பௌதிகம், சமணம், இஸ்லாம் மற்றும் கிறித்துவம் உள்ளிட்ட இந்திய மதங்களின் வளர்ச்சியில் இது ஒரு குறிப்பிடத்தக்க பங்கைக் கொண்டுள்ளது. அதே சமயம் தமிழின் சிறந்த கவிப்பாடும் துறவிகள் இல்லாதிருந்தால் இன்றைய இந்து மதம் முற்றிலும் மாறுபட்டதாக இருக்கும் என்று கூறுவது மிகையாகாது. இத்துறவிகள் இந்து மத பக்தி மரபுகளை வளர்த்தவர்கள் மற்றும் இந்து மதத்தை நடைமுறைக்கு வகைப்படுத்த்தினர். அதன் பழைய பாரம்பரியத்தின் செழுமையைத் தவிர தற்போது தமிழில் அளவற்ற வளர்ந்து வரும் நவீன இலக்கியங்கள், நடனம் இசை மற்றும் பொழுதுபோக்குத் துறை (திரைப்படம், தொலைக்காட்சி) பல உள்ளன. பாரம்பரிய சரித்திரமும் மற்றும் தற்போதைய வளர்ச்சியும் தமிழ் மொழியை உலகிற்கு மிகவும் முக்கியத்துவம் வாய்ந்த ஒரு மொழி என்று என்று கூறலாம்.
இந்த முயற்சி, மொழி வரலாறு கலை, கலாச்சசாரம், பழக்கவழக்கங்கள் மற்றும் மரபுகள் ஆகியவற்றிலும் கவனம் செலுத்தும் ஒரு வலுவான, தன்னிறைவு தமிழ் கற்றல் நிறுவனத்தை உருவாக்குவதே. இது தமிழ் மற்றும் அதன் கலாச்சாரத்தின் பல அம்சங்களைப் பற்றிய அறிவார்ந்த ஆராய்ச்சியையும் கற்பிக்கவதற்கும் உதவும். இந்த மையம் இந்த நாட்டிலும் உலகெங்கிலும் உள்ள மகத்தான அமெரிக்காவில் குடியிருக்கும் தமிழ் புலம்பெயர்ந்தோருக்கு மட்டுமல்லாமல், இந்தியாவிலும், இலங்கையிலும் மலேசியாவில், சிங்கப்பூரில் உள்ள தமிழர்களுக்கும் சேவை செய்யும். இது போன்ற ஒரு திட்டத்தின் தேவை தெளிவாக உள்ளது. உலகெங்கிலும் உள்ள தமிழ் மக்கள், தங்கள் மொழியும் கலாச்சாரமும் தங்கள் மரபுகள் மற்றும் வரலாற்றின் செழுமையைப் புரிந்துகொள்வதற்கும் நிலைத்திருப்பதற்கும் ஒரு நிறுவனத்தை நிர்மாணிக்க இது சரியான தகுணம்.
இந்நிறுவனத்தை அபிவிருத்தி செய்ய, அனைத்து தமிழர்களின் ஆதரவும் தேவைப்படுகிறது. பெர்க்லி, மற்றும் ஹார்வர்ட் நிதியுதவியுடன்ஒரு தமிழ் பீடம் ஆரம்பித்து உள்ளனர். ஆனால் ஒன்றுக்கு மேற்பட்ட பேராசிரியர்களை உள்ளடக்கியமற்றும் தமிழ் ஆய்வின் அனைத்து அம்சங்களையும் ஒன்றிணைக்கும் ஒரு நடுவத்திற்குப் பெரும்தேவை உள்ளது. இந்த முயற்சிக்கு நீங்கள் பங்களிப்பீர்கள் என்று நம்புகிறோம். இது தமிழ் மற்றும் தமிழர்களுக்கு மிகவும் முக்கியத்துவம் வாய்ந்தது, மேலும் அமெரிக்காவில் தமிழ் ஆய்வுகளின் ஒரு துடிப்பான விரிவான நடுவத்தை நிறுவ உதவுவீர்கள். இதனால் மொழி மற்றும் கலை கலாச்சாரம் பற்றிய ஆய்வு செழித்துவளர வருங்கால சந்ததியினருக்கு தமிழைப்பாதுகாக்க உங்களுடைய அன்பும் ஆதரவும் அவசியம் தேவை.
முன்முயற்சியை பெயரிடுவதன் மூலம் உங்கள் பாரம்பரியத்தை உருவாக்க ஒரு வாய்ப்பை நாங்கள் வழங்குகிறோம். உங்களுடன் விரிவாகப் பேசுவதற்கும் நீங்கள் செய்ய விரும்பும் வேறு ஏதாவது இருந்தாலும் தயவுசெய்து எங்களைத் தொடர்பு கொள்ளவும் (Kalai.Mathee@fiu.edu).
To support the general Tamilar Studies Initiative, please go to the donation area below. Funds received via this website will support the immediate needs of the overall initiative.
Donation Areas
Tamil and Tamilar Diaspora Studies Operation
The funds raised will be used for the operation of the center. The Institute will be directed by a scholar chair who has a holistic appreciation of the Institute's goals and with a sterling reputation for outstanding commitment to Tamil and Tamilar.
A legacy endowment as been established by
- Professors Kalai Mathee - Giri Narasimhan Endowment of Operation
If you would like to start an initiative in the name of your loved ones, the minimum commitment to endow is $25,000. Commitments may be fulfilled within a 5-year time frame. The projects, once fully funded, will carry the name of your choice. Namings and Institutes are subject to approvals per FIU Policies. If you wish to support one of the projects below, contact Dr. Kalai Mathee at matheek@fiu.edu and David Skipp at dskipp@fiu.edu, who can assist with a formal gift agreement.
Tamil Chair
Senior professor level position. The individual who assumes the position will have the responsibility of leading the institute in the development of certificate, undergraduate, and graduate programs. The funding will assist the chair by providing a postdoctoral fellow salary, and travel monies.
Tamil Diaspora Studies
The sea-faring Tamils traveled far and wide, searching for better lives. Before the opening of the West, the east was their destination, including Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and Myanmar, among others. The 20th saw another exodus of Tamils searching for a better and often safer life in the Asian, African, and Western countries. Sri Lanka is home to the largest Tamilar diaspora (~4 M), followed by Malaysia (~1.8 M) and South Africa (>0.6 M). The Tamilar Diaspora has contributed to protecting the language, culture, customs, and the success of their new home. We owe it to the future generation to preserve this extraordinary history. The funding will develop certificate, undergraduate, and graduate programs on Tamilar Diaspora studies. A named endowment can also support a mid-level to a junior professor who will oversee all the activities associated with Tamilar Diaspora studies.
To learn more about the two initiatives underway and to donate:
- Ilangai Tamilar Endowment
A teardrop-shaped island in the Indian Ocean, named Sri Lanka or Ilangai (இலங்கை in Tamil) in 1972, is just 24 km away at the nearest point to Tamil Nadu, India. The ancient Tamil name for this island is Eelam/ஈழம் (Pronounced: īḻam); that appeared as early as 2nd – 1st BCE in Sangam literature and was inscribed in a cave at Thirupparankunram in Tamil Nadu, India. The Tamil Brahmi inscription described a man from Eelam bringing a gift. Archaeological evidence, stone inscriptions, and foreign records show that the ancient civilizations and kingdoms of Ilangai, primarily in the northern parts, were of Dravidian Tamil origin and were referred to mainly as Eelam Tamilar. Given the proximity, Ilangai always had a strong relationship with Tamil Nadu, reaching far back to various ancient Tamilar empires such as the Cholas and Pandyas.
Ilangai underwent several social power shifts by numerous foreign groups over time. Yet, it preserved the ancient Tamil culture and tradition even after gaining sovereignty. Today, an estimated 3 million Tamilar live on the island and many more abroad. Ilangai Tamilar diligently protected their rich history and culture, solidifying their unique place in the preservation of Tamil and their respective culture, literature, and much more that we hope to share with others.
Our goal is a minimum of one million dollars to support a robust Ilangai Tamilar Studies program to appreciate, support, and raise cultural awareness of the significance of the Ilangai Tamilar in the Tamil community. The Tamil and Tamilar Diaspora Studies at FIU will use the annual spendable earnings from the endowment to advance the academic mission by supporting programmatic and academic endeavors related to the study of Ilangai Tamilar philosophies, including but not limited to: scholarships for students pursuing research on the Ilangai Tamilar Diaspora, the hiring of faculty and instructors to develop and teach Ilangai Tamilar curriculum, student and faculty research and travel, and costs associated with hosting a lecture and conference series.
If you are interested in making a gift to the Ilangai Tamilar Endowment, please donate via the form below.
- Tamilkuyilar-Rugmani Family Endowment for Malaysian Tamilar Diaspora Studies
Malaysia lies at the heart of Southeast Asia, lying just above the equator, a tropical landmass that lies at a strategic maritime route. Malaysia comprises the Malay Peninsula – West Malaysia and East Malaysia on the north of the island of Borneo. At one time or another, all the seafaring people of the Indo-Pacific world, from Mombasa to the trading ports of Japan, were on its shores. For thousands of years, the Malay peninsula was and still is the melting pot of people exchanging ideas, religions, and goods. In the recent millennium, Kedah, Kelang, Malacca, and Johor rose to become essential emporiums of what is now called the Great Monsoon Marketplace – the maritime version of the Silk Road.In the Malay Archipelago, the impact of Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and European Christianity still reverberates. Among the earliest religious, cultural, and political impacts in Southeast Asia came from India. Buddhist Srivijaya Empire ruled the region from Sumatra (Indonesia) from the 7th to the 12th century. The Tamil Emperor Rajendra I of the Chola dynasty ruled the region briefly in the 11th century. Tamil traders introduced the Kavi script, a derivative of Brahmi, to this region. Islam arrived in the 15th century. Portuguese and the Dutch arrived in the 16th and 17th centuries to establish trading forts.
The British arrived in the 19th century and established a system of government and indirect rule over the Malayan peninsula and Singapore. During this period of intense economic development, Tamilar from the then Madras Presidency of India were shipped here, first as penal re-settlers and later as indentured laborers. They were singled out for work, particularly in the expanding rubber plantations and the construction and management of roads and railways. A significant minority of Tamilar came as free traders, middle-level managers, and artisans. Indians from other parts of India and the British Empire, namely Sri Lanka, South Africa, and Burma, too migrated to the peninsula.
The concept of Malaysia (that included Singapore) was borne to gain independence from the British by the three major ethnic groups, the Malays, the Chinese, and the Tamilar, agreeing to co-operate politically. Malaysia declared independence in 1957. However, Singapore declared sovereignty in 1965 and adopted Tamil as one of its national languages, along with English, Chinese, and Malay. Although the Tamilar migration tapered off in the 1940s, Malaysia is home to the third-largest Tamilar community outside Tamilnadu, 1.8 million. In the 1980s, many fleeing Sri Lankan Tamilar found refuge in Malaysia.
In Malaysia, children continue to study in their vernacular language, and much of the customs and culture continue to thrive. Hindu temples dot the landscape. Tamil schools have been around since 1905, and the local Tamil press since 1920. The Tamilar Day (தமிழர் திருநாள், Tamilar Thirunaal), a celebration since 1952, is unique to Malaysia and Singapore. The first Global Tamil Conference (உலகத் தமிழ் மாநாடு) was organized and held in Kuala Lumpur in 1966 that continues to today. The University of Malaya houses the most extensive Tamil language library east of Tamilnadu. The Malaysian Tamilar Diaspora has contributed to protecting the language, culture, customs, and the success of their new home. We owe to the future generation to preserve this extraordinary history.
Our goal is to raise a minimum of one million dollars to support a robust Malaysian Tamilar Diaspora Studies program to appreciate, support, and expand cultural awareness of the significance of the Tamilar in the Malaysian community. This program will use the annual spendable earnings from the Endowment to advance the School’s academic mission by supporting programmatic and educational endeavors related to the study of Malaysian Tamilar Diaspora history, culture, and customs, including scholarships for students pursuing research on the Malaysian Tamilar Diaspora; the hiring of faculty and instructors to develop and teach the curriculum; student and faculty research and travel; and costs associated with hosting lectures and conferences.
Support the Tamilkuyilar-Rugmani Family Endowment for Malaysian Tamilar Diaspora Studies, please donate via the form below.
Please help us to add more Tamilar Diaspora Initiatives. The minimum commitment to endow any project is $25,000. Commitments may be fulfilled within a 5-year time frame. The projects, once fully funded, will carry the name of your choice. Namings and Institutes are subject to approvals per FIU policies. If you wish to endow, please contact Dr. Mathee at matheek@fiu.edu and David Skipp at dskipp@fiu.edu, who can assist with a formal gift agreement.
Vallalar Studies
The non-secular teachings of Valluvar are matched by Vallalar, 20th Century Poet-Saint, who promoted unity and spirituality. Vallalar authored one of the longest Tamil poems. To date, no Western institutions have focused on the teachings of Vallalar. The funding will be used to develop certificate, undergraduate, and graduate programs on Vallalar studies. A named endowment can also support a mid-level to junior professor who will oversee all the activities associated with Vallalar studies.
Learn more about the Vallalar studies and Vallalar Endowment below:
- Vallalar Endowment
அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி, அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி (Arutperun Jothi Arutperun Jothi)
தனிப்பெருங்கருணை, அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி (Thaniperun Karunai Arutperun Jothi)
Vallalar Studies as part of the Tamil & Tamilar Institute at the Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs
Vallalar, a saint-poet, promoted global unity and spirituality that cut across cast, creed, color, and religion. He believed strongly that the eternal flame referred to as the Arutperunjyothi (அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி ) will light the way to true morality. On October 5th, 1823, he was born at 5:30 pm to Ramaya Pillai and Chinnammaiyar in Sidambram as their fifth son and was named Ramalingam. He attained enlightenment at a very early age and became immersed in understanding the cosmic earth and the invariable responsibilities of its inhabitants. His spiritual journey started as a devout devotee of Lord Shiva to worship the formless, eternal flame. Vallalar emphasized compassion for all sentient beings and advocated resolutely for the poor establishing many entities in Tamilnadu that feed the poor at all times of the day to date. A result of his ability to espouse all things as an objective truth seeker driven by scientific evidence drew his followers to his fold. Vallalar authored 5818 poems in six volumes of Arutpa, collectively known as the Thiruvarutpa (A holy book of grace). He also set the Thiruvarutpa verses to the Tamil Carnatic music. He is considered the great munificent of the 19th century and called Thiruarutprgasa Vallalar He attained immortality at the age of 50, leaving his followers to spread his message of unity and compassion across the globe.
Our goal is a minimum of one million dollars to support a robust Vallalar Studies program. Annual spendable earnings from the Vallalar Endowment will be used to advance the School’s academic mission by supporting programmatic and/or academic endeavors related to study of Vallalar philosophies, including but not limited to: scholarships for students pursuing research on Vallalar studies, hiring of faculty and instructors to develop and teach Vallalar’s teachings, student and faculty research and travel, the translation of Thiruarutpa, and costs associated with hosting a lecture and conference series. One of our long-term goals is to translate 5818 poems into English to reach a broader audience of Vallalar's message of unity and peace.
If you are interested in making a gift to the Vallalar Endowment, please donate via the form below.
The minimum commitment to endow any project is $25,000. Commitments may be fulfilled within a 5-year time frame. The projects, once fully funded, will carry the name of your choice. Namings and Institutes are subject to approvals per FIU Policies. If you wish to endow, please contact Dr. Mathee at matheek@fiu.edu and David Skipp at dskipp@fiu.edu, who can assist with a formal gift agreement.
Thirukkural or Valluvar Studies
Thirukkural, authored by Valluvar (also called Thiruvalluvar), is a classic Tamil with 1330 couplets known as Kurals that focus on virtue, wealth, and love. This great work on ethics and morality cuts across society's responsibility to the family, to one another, to the environment, and to save the planet. Though the precise date has been debated, it has been officially accepted to be from 31 BCE. The Tamils thus celebrate Valluvar year. Thirukkural is one of the most translated Tamil literary works since its first print in 1812. To date, no institution in the US has focused on the teachings of Valluvar. The individual who assumes the position will oversee the development of certificate, undergraduate, and graduate programs on Thirukkural studies.
Please help us to add more Tamilar Diaspora Initiatives. The minimum commitment to endow any project is $25,000. Commitments may be fulfilled within a 5-year time frame. The projects, once fully funded, will carry the name of your choice. Namings and Institutes are subject to approvals per FIU policies. If you wish to endow, please contact Dr. Mathee at matheek@fiu.edu and David Skipp at dskipp@fiu.edu, who can assist with a formal gift agreement.
Tamilar Kalai (Tamilar Arts)
Tamil is just more than a language. Tamil has rich literature (Ilakkiam), music (Tamilisai), performing arts (Poetry, dance (Nadanan), drama (Nadagam), visual arts (Sculpture, wall paintings, jewelry, etc), architecture ( Sirpakalai referred to as Dravidian Architecture), and martial arts (Silambam, Kutthu varisai, and Varma kalai) heritage. These and more are encompassed in one single word, "kalai" in Tamil. Funds will be used to host an individual in FIU on a short visit (one term) who can teach, perform, and promote the arts.
To learn more about the one initiative underway:
Please help us to add more Tamilar Kalai Initiatives. The minimum commitment to endow any project is $25,000. Commitments may be fulfilled within a 5-year time frame. The projects, once fully funded, will carry the name of your choice. Namings and Institutes are subject to approvals per FIU policies. If you wish to support one of the projects below, contact Dr. Kalai Mathee at matheek@fiu.edu and David Skipp at dskipp@fiu.edu, who can assist with a formal gift agreement.
Lecture Series
Professor Hart is no stranger to the Tamilar across the globe. During his tenure as a professor of Tamil language at the University of California, Berkely established Tamil as a classical language along with Chinese, Sanskrit, Arabic, Greek, and Latin after translating many Sangam (ancient South Indian literature) works of literature.
To learn more about the one initiative underway and to donate:
If you would like to start an initiative in the name of your loved ones, the minimum commitment to endow is $25,000. Commitments may be fulfilled within a 5-year time frame. The projects, once fully funded, will carry the name of your choice. Namings and Institutes are subject to approvals per FIU Policies. If you wish to support one of the projects below, contact Dr. Kalai Mathee at matheek@fiu.edu and David Skipp at dskipp@fiu.edu, who can assist with a formal gift agreement.
Biennial Symposium Series
To support a 3-day symposium that can be hosted anywhere in the world to bring the scholars for a discourse. Funds will be used to cover all expenses associated with the symposium. Within this, there could be named keynote speakers, and special awards.
Aval Award
The award will recognize a female for her contributions to Tamil and Tamilar Diaspora in any field.
Postdoctoral Fellows Travel Awards
The award will enable postdoctoral fellows to travel for research, and/or attend conferences. There could be many named awards.
Student Scholarships
Within this, there could be many named awards. The monies will be used to support graduates and undergraduates to travel for research and attend the conference. It will provide stipends for graduate students.