On Monday November 23, 2009, York University's Tamil Student Association (YUTSA) hosted a "Maveerar Naal" program in remembrance of all the soldiers and civilians who lost their lives in the on-going war back home in Sri Lanka. My two younger brothers, mom, and I decided we wanted to attend the event after we heard about it from my older sister, who was going to be apart of the performances for that evening. It was very important for me to bring my young brothers to this show because it would allow them a glimpse at the reality that so many innocent people have been faced with and continue to face 'til this day.
Upon our arrival at Founders Assembly Hall, I was happy to see that many people had showed up, including family members and non-Tamil students. As we approached the seating area, each person was given a red piece of paper with a date and a location of a massacre that was targeted towards Tamil people in Sri Lanka. Later that night, the hundreds of us that were there lined up, paid our respects, and handed our red paper to the two men that were standing at the front of the stage. They taped the pieces of paper in a way that by the end of it, it resembled the piece of land that we have been fighting for, known only as Tamil Eelam. This was the perfect backdrop to the performances that followed.
The program consisted of powerful plays, monologues, cultural dances, and speeches that left the audience in tears and more importantly, inspired. I was thankful that YUTSA was able to find a space inside York to hold this event. Within those walls of the Assembly Hall, I felt such a strong sense of acceptance and unity for my first time at York University.
Please visit the following link for additional pictures from this event:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomcochrane/sets/72157622750019735/
Upon our arrival at Founders Assembly Hall, I was happy to see that many people had showed up, including family members and non-Tamil students. As we approached the seating area, each person was given a red piece of paper with a date and a location of a massacre that was targeted towards Tamil people in Sri Lanka. Later that night, the hundreds of us that were there lined up, paid our respects, and handed our red paper to the two men that were standing at the front of the stage. They taped the pieces of paper in a way that by the end of it, it resembled the piece of land that we have been fighting for, known only as Tamil Eelam. This was the perfect backdrop to the performances that followed.
The program consisted of powerful plays, monologues, cultural dances, and speeches that left the audience in tears and more importantly, inspired. I was thankful that YUTSA was able to find a space inside York to hold this event. Within those walls of the Assembly Hall, I felt such a strong sense of acceptance and unity for my first time at York University.
Please visit the following link for additional pictures from this event:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomcochrane/sets/72157622750019735/
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