TAMIL AND TAMILAR DIASPORA STUDIES
at Florida International University
A Proposal Prepared for Your Consideration
Tamil and Tamilar
Diaspora Studies @ FIU
This groundbreaking program will emphasize the arts, culture, and society of contemporary Tamil, Tamilars, and the significant Tamil diaspora worldwide. While individual Tamil chairs have been established at other universities (e.g., Harvard University and the University of Toronto), the TTDS at FIU will be multidisciplinary, examining all aspects of Tamil language, literature, poetry, history, architecture, culture, and other pertinent areas. The program will be a beacon for the Tamilar diaspora and a hub for all those interested in preserving and promoting the Tamil language and culture.
The TTDS program will:
✓
Generate research and scholarship.
✓
Promote knowledge of Tamil culture, history, and contemporary issues.
✓
Develop robust programs (certificates and degrees) and exchanges with institutions in the USA, India, and other countries with similar programs.
✓
Promote the study of the Tamil language, literature, history, arts, and architecture.
✓
Present regular events featuring Tamil culture, music, and art. These events will be of interest to Tamil scholars and the community.
✓
Promote knowledge of Tamil culture, history, and contemporary issues.
✓
Host conferences and symposia.
✓
Produce new scholars specializing in Tamil studies, Tamilar diaspora studies, Vallalar studies, and Valluvar studies, among other areas
✓
Introduce Tamilar issues to a fast-growing global city with links to Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
✓
Generate research and scholarship.
✓
Promote knowledge of Tamil culture, history, and contemporary issues.
✓
Develop robust programs (certificates and degrees) and exchanges with institutions in the USA, India, and other countries with similar programs.
✓
Promote the study of the Tamil language, literature, history, arts, and architecture.
✓
Present regular events featuring Tamil culture, music, and art. These events will be of interest to Tamil scholars and the community.
✓
Promote knowledge of Tamil culture, history, and contemporary issues.
✓
Host conferences and symposia.
✓
Produce new scholars specializing in Tamil studies, Tamilar diaspora studies, Vallalar studies, and Valluvar studies, among other areas
✓
Introduce Tamilar issues to a fast-growing global city with links to Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
Tamilars and Their Culture
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 world’s oldest surviving classical languages, dating back more than 2,000 years. Its history, literature, and culture are inexhaustibly rich. The Tamil language has played a significant part in developing world religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, and Christianity.
It is not an exaggeration to say that today’s Hinduism would be utterly different had it not been for the great poet-saints of Tamil, who developed the traditions of Hindu devotion. In addition to the richness of its ancient heritage, Tamil has an immense and growing body of modern literature and a vast entertainment industry spanning film, television, dance, music, and more.
Tamil is a language of great importance for the world, both in its classical manifestations and in its dynamic life of today. We at FIU want to build a home for the rich history and culture of Tamil Nadu at our Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs.
