What You Missed In Tamil Class

Vanakkam: a Tamil Greeting for the Soul! By: Bagya Vivekanandhan Greeting someone upon meeting them is important as it sets a first impression. Greetings can be of many types, like a handshake, a hand wave, or using phrases such as “Nice to meet you”, “Good to see you” etc. We can all agree that it is a gesture of respect and kindness to the opposite person. But how deep do we really feel as we offer our greeting? Do we realize that our feelings have different layers when we meet someone? Can you imagine a way of greeting that is deeply spiritual and scientific? Our ancient ancestors in Tamil civilization brought in many socio-cultural practices to help us stay connected to our true self, and feel the god within ourselves and the others. One of the many is greeting others, which are not just a formality but a way to express and maintain our respect and culture.  In the video "What Does Vanakkam Mean?", What You Missed In Tamil Class founder, Kasthuree says வணக்கம் (vanakkam) comes from the union of the two words: “வணங்கு (vanangu)” which means to bow or revere + “அகம் (agam)” meaning inner depth of the soul. Vanakkam has further spiritual and psychological undertones which we will explore along this read. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gNtREPwu #tamil #tamilculture #tamilcustoms

Why Do People Eat With Their Hands? Over centuries, indigenous ways of life have been altered due to 'modern' or colonial mindsets. Eating with our hands is one example. Over half the world traditionally ate with their hands. Unfortunately today, it has come to a point where people need to ask the question "why do people eat with their hands?" Anyone who takes part in this practise can speak to how the dining experience just 'hits different' Now, there actually may be a reason for this positive feeling people get when eating with their hands. The ancient Parthatha Guna Cinthamani text states eating with your hands enhances the taste of the food and can improve your mood. Modern day researchers have written about how the sensory response we get from touching our food elevates our desire, perception and connection to our food. A journal review on Tamil Siddha Food Customs states, our digestion process starts before we actually put food in our mouth. And this is because the tips of our fingers have thousands of nerve endings. “When you use your finger tip to pick up food, the nerve endings in your fingers relay the message to the brain and send signals to the body releasing digestive juices and enzymes.” Now according to the Tamil Siddha system of medicine and a few other traditional systems of medicine, the nerve endings on each finger tip is connected to organs part of different systems within our body. Of course, the nerve endings are not limited to the organs within these systems but what an interesting observation our ancestors have made. Majority of these traditional systems on go to state that each of these systems have characteristics that are similar to and are associated with one of the five elements. Which is why eating with your hands is also seen as an act that helps maintain balance and mindfulness within you. In addition, research also suggests that eating with your hands may have hygiene benefits. Studies have found that the natural oils and enzymes present in our hands can act as antibacterial agents, potentially reducing the risk of foodborne illness compared to using utensils that may harbour bacteria. The act of touching food with your hands allows you to assess its temperature and texture more accurately, helping you avoid consuming overly hot or spoiled food. Overall, eating with your hands can promote both physical and emotional well-being, making it a beneficial practice beyond cultural tradition. The topic of how our ancestors viewed food, medicine, and health is a very dense topic. I look forward to sharing the more I learn! Read more: https://lnkd.in/eMJjH9Be https://lnkd.in/eAFituiu https://lnkd.in/e8x9XTS7 https://lnkd.in/e4cPyNhC  #tamil #southasian #eating #hands

If you are looking for small bite-sized information about Tamil and Tamil culture perhaps you will enjoy my NEW Monthly Newsletter. No spam, just my thoughts on different Tamil things once a month :) Sign up for the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/eDipNTpK #tamil #markham #pickering #ajax #miltonkeyes #hayes #melbourne #montreal #scarborough

Influential Tamil Women from the Past: Avvaiyar (ஔவையார்): A celebrated Tamil poet and philosopher of the Sangam period, known for her profound wisdom, moral teachings, and literary contributions, which continue to inspire and educate generations. The popular Aathichudi was written by Avvaiyar. There is historical debate regarding whether Avvaiyar was a single individual or a collective of women who wrote under the name Avvaiyar. Some scholars suggest that Avvaiyar may have been an honourable title given to multiple female poets and philosophers across different time periods in Tamil literature, rather than referring to a single person. Often times our depiction of Avvaiyar is an old grandma but in reality people state Avvaiyar was a young woman only depicted as an elder to represent how wise she or they were. Kannagi (கண்ணகி): Ancestor Kannagi's story is shared the Tamil epic Silappatikaram written by Ilango Adikal. Kannagi is remembered as a strong Tamil woman for her bravery and determination in seeking justice for her husband's wrongful execution by confronting a Pandiyan King. Her legendary story is a timeless example of resilience and the pursuit of righteousness, making her a symbol of moral strength and justice in Tamil culture. 2nd Lt. Malathy Akka (மாலதி அக்கா): The brave-hearted freedom fighter was the first female fighter to lose her life during the armed struggle for freedom against Sri Lankan state oppression. Malathy akka died at the age of 20, during a battle with the Indian Peace Keeping Forces (IPKF) in 1987. Malathy akka refused help when she realized she was mortally wounded and insisted her fellow comrades leave her. Her bravery and leadership is still remembered today. A memorial was built in her honour in 2004. Kundavai (குந்தவை): As a princess of the Chola dynasty and the elder sister of the renowned king Rajaraja Chola I, Kundavai is celebrated for her intelligence, political judgement, and leadership skills. Her pivotal role in the administration and diplomacy of the Chola empire shows her strength as a woman who wielded power and influence during a significant era in Tamil history, leaving a lasting mark on the region's political landscape. Rani Velu Nachiyar ( ராணி வேலு நாச்சியார்): A courageous queen of Sivaganga estate in the 18th century, Velu Nachiyar is remembered as a strong Tamil woman for her fearless leadership in the fight against colonial oppression. She was the first Indian queen to wage war against the British East India Company, pioneering warfare tactics and leading her troops into battle. Here are just a few examples of influential Tamil women who've made a difference, but there are countless others. Some we know about, but many more aren't mentioned in history books. As we honour women this weekend, let's also recognize and celebrate all the voices that often go unheard but have had and continue to have a big impact in the #tamil community. #tamilhistory #tamilculture

Traditionally Tamil-made Oil is Heavily Underrated among Modern Tamils Ancient Tamils were at the forefront of cultural and medicinal advancements. However, unless there were elders in your household, many grew up unaware the abundance of wisdom ancient Tamils possessed. Take oil for instance. Growing up in North America, I have noticed many negative assumptions about the use of oil. Claims that cooking with oil causes cancer, or that oil cannot promote hair growth. This, of course, went against what I was taught in my Tamil household. Oil is the base ingredient in many Tamil dishes, and oiling hair has helped many grow long, healthy hair. So, naturally, hearing these two different views for any Tamil can be confusing. That is why I took some time to explore whether oil was actually unhealthy, or whether the way in which oil is made can cause these negative effects. Continue Reading at: https://lnkd.in/eaa-a-VR #tamil #culture #compare #traditions

Happy Thai Pongal! இனிய தைப்பொங்கல் வாழ்த்துகள்! Curious how or why Tamils celebrate this festival? Watch below https://lnkd.in/e_D7c6cB #tamil

"Regardless of our religious backgrounds, many Tamils make time to put up Christmas or Thanksgiving decorations, cook specific dishes and host gatherings. But the majority of us don't do the same when it comes to Tamil holidays." Read more: https://lnkd.in/eqDQcBXR