An Evening with Writer Vavuniyoor Ira. Uthayanan!

Today, I had the opportunity to meet the writer Vavuniyoor Ira. Uthayanan, who is visiting Canada for a family event. I thank my childhood friend Thirunavukkarasu (from Vavuniya) for making this meeting possible.

Writer Devakanthan and social-political activist Ellalan also joined us for this gathering with Uthayanan.

We all had a lively discussion at “Santhosh Spice Palace,” a restaurant located in the town of Stouffville.

Writer Mikhael Sholokhov, a member of the Communist Party who accepted the Nobel Prize, and writer Sartre, who refused it!

 

Tamil writer Sugan had shared the following statement by writer Ambai on Facebook:

“In 1964, Jean-Paul Sartre refused the Nobel Prize for Literature because he believed that accepting it would turn him into an institution and would limit his ability to act independently as a writer and intellectual. He had always refused official distinctions and said he did not want to be ‘institutionalized.’ Furthermore, he expressed concern that the Nobel Prize was mostly awarded only to ‘Western writers or rebels from the East,’ and he did not want to be seen as someone who fit that mold.” – (Ambai)

As far as I'm concerned, Sartre refused the prize — that was his right. But using that instance to generalize the issue is not acceptable. Just because one person refused, it doesn't mean everyone else did too. Those who accepted it should also be acknowledged.

The famous Russian writer Mikhael Sholokhov also received the Nobel Prize. His works had earlier earned him the Stalin Prize and the Lenin Prize. In 1965, he was awarded the Nobel Prize. He was also a member of the Soviet Communist Party. Sartre refused the prize in 1964. Sholokhov accepted it in 1965. That doesn’t lessen my respect for Sholokhov.

"Muththa Mazhai" – Sung by Dhee, Music by A.R. Rahman

The song that was supposed to be featured in the film "Tugh Life Life" was sung by singer Dhee. At the movie's "audio launch," it was performed on stage by singer Chinmayi. I listened to this song in both their voices.
Among the two, I was most captivated by singer Dhee. I felt that the emotional expressions resonating and evident in her voice were lacking in Chinmayi's rendition. Dhee’s voice feels more suited to the contemporary era.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LuKdo3Rgnk

Tamil Literary Garden Celebrating 25 years of Awards

The 2024 awards of the Tamil Literary Garden have been announced. The information was sent by the writer A. Muthulingam. I am sharing it here. Congratulations to all the award recipients.

Tamil Literary Garden  Celebrating 25 years of Awards

Iyal Awards

Satchithananthan Sugirtharajah
Yuvan Chandrasekar

Fiction – Ravi Arunachalam

Fiction – Ravi Arunachalam

Nonfiction – T. Pitchandi

Poetry – Ravi Subramaniyan
Poetry – Riyaza M. Zavahir

Translation – Nedra Rodrigo 
Prison of Dreams (5 Parts) - Published by Mawenzi House
(author Bala Devakanthan) 

The Niagara Falls glowing with colors at night.

Now and then, seabirds fly by. When the light hits their wings and scatters, it looks beautiful.
The voices of a nearby South Asian family can also be heard from time to time.

A View of Toronto’s Financial District from the Gardiner Expressway!

The area in Downtown Toronto that includes Front Street, University Avenue, Yonge Street, and Queen Street is often referred to as Canada’s Financial Centre. The Gardiner Expressway, an elevated highway, runs through this financial district and across Lake Ontario’s waterfront.

Because this highway is elevated above ground level, it creates a physical separation between the city and Lake Ontario. At times, it is criticized for devaluing a highly significant and valuable part of the city. To an extent, that criticism is valid. Originally, the expressway began further east at Leslie Street. Now, it starts at the Don Valley Parkway. The section from Leslie Street to the Don Valley Parkway has already been removed and redeveloped.

Some politicians occasionally propose that the entire Gardiner Expressway should be dismantled and rebuilt as an underground route, suggesting that such a transformation would be beneficial.

That being said, I personally enjoy traveling on this highway, especially at night when traffic has lessened and a calm atmosphere prevails. Similarly, I like traveling during early morning or dusk hours when traffic is light. The main reason is that the elevated nature of the expressway, running long and high through towering buildings, gives the exhilarating feeling of flying through the air.

The photograph shown here was taken by me while I was a passenger in writer Kadalputhiran’s vehicle. What you see in the image are the buildings of Toronto’s Financial District. Though they may appear tilted, they are not leaning towers. That’s simply an effect caused by the angle from which the photo was taken using an iPhone camera.

In the Glow of Niagara Falls...

I have a great fondness for enjoying Niagara Falls during the evening and twilight hours. Yesterday, I was fortunate to have such an opportunity.

In a moment free from the bustle of traffic, I savored the mist of the falls, the beauty of the cascading water constantly changing colors by the second, the wingbeats of seabirds shimmering 

 

 

and vanishing through the hues of light, the gathering of people from around the world, and the stunning brilliance of the fireworks.  Such moments are truly the best for experiencing all this wonder.

Here are a few photos taken during that time. Hope you enjoy them.

 

 

Reflections on Psychiatrist Dr. Ken Santher’s Upcoming Book Exploring the Stains upon Joy

Psychiatrist Dr.Ken Santher, has been working in the Niagara Falls region for over fifty years. It is noteworthy that he received the Hope Award in 2015, particularly in recognition of his dedicated service in the field of children’s mental health.

I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet and speak with him at his home yesterday. During this meeting, I had the chance to learn about the book he is currently writing on mental well-being with his daughter, Kalyani Santher, who is also in the health field. We discussed various aspects of the book in detail — including what the major stains on joy are, how to remove them to attain true happiness, what thoughts are, and how thoughts are formed.

As the book is in its final stages of completion, it would not be appropriate to elaborate on all the themes and ideas it contains at this moment. However, my conversation with him has certainly deepened my interest and curiosity about the book. I now eagerly await its release.

Even at over eighty years of age, Dr. Ken Santher continues to serve in his medical profession, which is a testament to his dedication and commitment. I wholeheartedly wish him success in this literary endeavor and hope the book receives the recognition it deserves.