Dear Jeyamohan,
I am very happy to learn about the Living Tamil organization and the vision and goals behind this initiative. I feel that this is a very important and timely effort, particularly at a moment when Tamil culture, literature, traditions, and intellectual heritage need to be introduced to a wider global audience.
I think you should publish a detailed talk or essay explaining the idea of Living Tamil, its objectives, and the kind of cultural work you hope to undertake through the organization. Such a publication would help people understand not only the purpose of the organization but also the larger vision behind it.
I also feel that it would be valuable to organize a series of meetings and talks in the United States and in other countries. These programmes could be conducted in English and addressed to a wider audience, including young people, writers, academics, students, and people interested in Indian and Tamil culture. Speaking about the idea directly in English would help communicate the vision beyond the existing Tamil-speaking community.
In particular, I think the concept of Living Tamil can become an important bridge between Tamil culture and the younger generation, especially those who are increasingly educated and working in English. Introducing them to Tamil literature, history, philosophy, and cultural traditions through English can create a new connection with their heritage.
I hope you will seriously consider planning such talks and meetings in different places. I believe this initiative has the potential to grow into an important international cultural movement.
With warm regards,
Rajesh
Dear Rajesh,
Thank you very much for your thoughtful message. I am happy to know that you have taken an interest in the Living Tamil organization and its broader goals.
I agree with you that the ideas and objectives behind Living Tamil need to be discussed in greater detail. It is not simply an organization for conducting literary or cultural activities. Its larger purpose is to create a space through which Tamil culture, literature, intellectual traditions, and contemporary ideas can be introduced to a wider world, particularly to the younger generation.
I am planning to give a few detailed talks on this subject, especially in English, so that the vision of Living Tamil can be explained to people who may not be familiar with the Tamil cultural and literary background. I also feel that such discussions should not be limited to Tamil-speaking audiences. We need to speak to the younger generation who are increasingly educated and working in English, and introduce our literary and cultural heritage to them through a language they are comfortable with.
I am also planning a tour in this regard, including meetings and discussions in the USA and in other places where there is an active Tamil and Indian intellectual community. These meetings will be an opportunity not only to explain the idea of Living Tamil but also to meet writers, scholars, young people, and cultural activists who may wish to participate in this effort.
Your suggestion about organizing such meetings is therefore very timely. I hope that, through these discussions and through the English-language initiatives of Living Tamil, we can gradually create a wider cultural network and bring Tamil literature and thought into meaningful dialogue with the rest of the world.
Thank you once again for your encouragement and for your interest in this initiative.
With warm regards,
Jeyamohan
