Ottawa Scenes – Soldiers’ Monument (1812–1815) - "Triumph Through Diversity!"

This monument, which includes seven figures, is of great importance in Canadian history. It was built to commemorate the war that took place between the United States and Canada, then under the British Empire. The statue, titled Triumph Through Diversity, symbolizes the victory achieved through the unity of diverse peoples. The war lasted from 1812 until 1815.

Canadian soldiers, British soldiers, Canada’s Indigenous warriors (Métis, First Nations), French Canadian soldiers, Scottish volunteer settlers, and members of the Royal Navy all fought together against the American invasion. To honor these seven groups, this monument—located near the Canadian Senate building—features seven figures, each representing one of these groups.

Shadow!

Yesterday, for a wedding, I went to Casa Loma in Toronto. By the time the event ended, dusk had settled and darkness had deepened. While returning, at the parking lot, under the glow of a nearby lamp, I happened to notice my shadow stretched across the ground where I was standing. When I saw the slightly elongated shadow at an angle, I suddenly felt as if I were looking at a painting. Without delay, I captured that moment with my phone camera.

My dearest companion, who never parts from me—
Seeing you today,
for a fleeting moment I was spellbound.

Like an artist’s brushstroke
casting imagination and creativity
upon the stillness of reality,
you stretched out across the ground
as a painting.

O Shadow, you made my heart tremble.
For a moment, I stood enchanted, staring at you.

Could be, I am the only writer in this world
who has lost himself
upon seeing his own shadow.

Casa Loma!

Yesterday, I went to Casa Loma, one of Toronto’s most famous landmarks, to attend a wedding. It was a wedding with a limited number of invited guests. These are some of the photos I took at Casa Loma on that occasion.

A few words about Casa Loma…

Casaloma in Night 

Casa Loma is a must-see landmark for anyone visiting the city of Toronto. It is a large mansion resembling a castle, originally built to be a castle by wealthy businessman Sir Henry Pellatt between 1911 and 1914. Constructed in the Gothic Revival architectural style, this mansion stands as one of Toronto’s most iconic architectural landmarks. The architect was E.J.Lennox.

The mansion, which contains 98 rooms, features a 61-foot-high Great Hall, secret passageways, a bowling alley, underground tunnels for servants, and areas for maintaining horses.

Following the First World War, Henry Pellatt fell into financial difficulties and was unable to pay his property taxes to the government. As a result, the property was seized by the city.

In the years that followed, this castle-like mansion was used in various ways—as a hotel, club, and research facility—before coming under the care of the Liberty Entertainment Group in 2014.

Today, it functions as a tourist attraction, museum, and venue for events. Notably, more than 650,000 visitors come to see Casa Loma each year.

Casa Loma – https://casaloma.ca/

Writer V. N. Giritharan’s Tamil novel Kudivaravalan (An Immigrant) was already translated into English by writer Latha Ramakrishnan. Its English version was published earlier as a Kindle e-book on Amazon.

The First Tamil Novel from Canada to Appear in English Translation (e-book) is V. N. Giritharan’s An Immigrant. The first Canadian Tamil novel to appear in print in English translation is Devakanthan’s Prison of Dreams. – 
The English translation of writer Devakanthan’s novel Prison of Dreams has been published by Mawenzi House, translated by Nedra Rodrigo. The launch of this translated work will take place on September 6, 2025, in Scarborough. This announcement was made by the Tamil Arts Collective. Their invitation states: “The publication of the Prison of Dreams quintet marks a historic moment in Canadian Tamil literature, as it is the first book-length translation of a Tamil novelist published in Canada.”

In other words: the publication of the Prison of Dreams quintet in Canada is considered a historic moment in Canadian Tamil literary history, as it is the first full-length Tamil novel to be translated into English and published in Canada.

There is no doubt that Devakanthan’s Prison of Dreams is a monumental novel—a major contribution to Tamil literature. But is it truly the first Canadian Tamil novel to appear in English translation? The answer is no.

Writer V. N. Giritharan’s Tamil novel Kudivaravalan (An Immigrant) was already translated into English by writer Latha Ramakrishnan. Its English version was published earlier as a Kindle e-book on Amazon.

Even before that, the complete English translation of the novel was published on one of V. N. Giritharan’s blogs, Canadian Tamil Literature: Writer V. N. Giritharan’s Corner. Tamil Nadu scholar Dr. Tharani Akhil also published an English critical essay on this novel, titled “An Immigrant: A poignant autobiographical sketch of V. N. Giritharan”, which was likewise featured on the above-mentioned blog. These writings were also published in online journals.

Citing this novel, research papers on refugee literature have been published in English and French. A podcast episode about the novel has also appeared on the V. N. Giritharan Podcast channel on YouTube.

The Malayalam Film “Mathilukal” by Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Winner of Four National Awards!

One of actor Mammootty’s finest films is Mathilukal (“Walls”). It is notable that Mammootty’s performance in this film was chosen by Forbes magazine as one of the 25 greatest acting performances in Indian cinema. The film, written, directed, and produced by Adoor Gopalakrishnan, won four Indian National Film Awards in 1990—for Direction, Acting, Sound Recording, and Best Regional Film.

Mammootty received the National Award for Best Actor for his role in Mathilukal and also for Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha. He remains the only actor to have received the Best Actor National Award simultaneously for two films in the same year.

The story of this film is based on a novella by the celebrated Malayalam writer Vaikom Muhammad Basheer. It is a semi-autobiographical work, inspired by his own experiences in prison.

Wishing my favourite star, Mammootty, a smooth and speedy recovery. Get well soon, sir!

 

One of my most favorite actors is Mammootty. His acting fills the heart.Recently, media reports have said that he has been unwell, but is now recovering. He is a powerful performer who can do justice to any role. His voice, smile, and acting always bring joy to the audience. I have strong faith that Mammootty will soon return with full health.

A scene from Mathilukal, based on Vaikom Muhammad Basheer’s novella, comes to mind. Mathilukal won Mammootty the National Award for Best Actor. It is also noteworthy that Mammootty has won the Indian Government’s National Award for Acting three times.

The Malayalam films in which Mammootty played a CBI investigative officer are very popular — and I love them too.
He also won the National Award for his role in the film portraying the life of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.

Another interesting fact about Mammootty is that he initially earned a Bachelor’s degree in Law and worked as a lawyer before entering films.

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Some of my favorite songs of Mammootty:

Sivakami Ninaippinile – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYUEmBx75SE

Oru Naalu Naalai – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAgchoDbYj4

Kannamma – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3uQQ1XaHWo 

Sangeetha Swarangal – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxsPj4Hyry8

Scene from Vaikom Muhammad Basheer’s Mathilukal – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aFhSDunru4 

Poem: My Surrender to Winter! – V. N. Giritharan –

Winter is fast approaching.
I have lived many years in Canada.
Yet, my hatred for this season
has not lessened in the slightest.

As always, when memories of winter
come rushing in, they bring along
the snow, the frost, and the ice.
Thoughts of how I will cope with them
this time spread throughout my mind.

Many times, I have tried—
hoping at least this year
I might sign a treaty of friendship
with winter, and live in peace.