It is important to remember during this month that there is still much work to be done in order to achieve justice and proper reconciliation for Tamils in Sri Lanka, while also working towards creating an equal and just society in Sri Lanka, in Canada and around the world.

As we enter the New Year, we look forward to a year of happiness and prosperity. In January, we also enjoy festivities, in celebration of the Pongal festival and the Tamil Heritage Month. There will be events in Tamil communities across the country celebrating Tamil language, culture, and overall Tamil Heritage in Canada.

The Thai Pongal festival, allows us to give thanks for our blessings over the past year and to look forward to a new and hopeful year.  Canada has become the most popular destination for Tamils outside of Sri Lanka with approximately 300,000 Tamils calling Canada our new home. What better time to celebrate our culture and heritage among fellow Canadians than during this joyous time of year.

We must commemorate the accomplishments of Tamils in Canada and our contributions to the social, cultural, and economic prosperity of our country.  Tamils are often among the most engaged and active communities and maintaining this high level of community involvement is an important part of our culture and history in Canada. I am sure that this Tamil Heritage Month will be a wonderful celebration and I look forward to seeing many friends at community events throughout the month.

I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank the municipalities that have shown leadership by officially recognizing the importance of celebrating Tamil Heritage here in Canada. The Town of Markham declared January 13-15 are Tamil Heritage Days and the city of Pickering recognized January as Tamil Heritage Month and January 14^th to be Tamil Heritage day.

I am truly blessed to celebrate my Tamil culture and heritage with such freedom in Canada and I am proud to call myself a Canadian. Many Tamils have come to Canada in search of peace and liberty in an attempt to escape the terrible conditions created by the civil war. Although conditions have improved, and people around the world have recognized the crimes that were committed over the last 30 years, there are ongoing concerns regarding human rights abuses and the treatment of minority Tamils within Sri Lanka.

The report from the Lesson Learnt and Reconciliation Committee’s uncritical take on events has glaring discrepancies from the UN report.  This is why we need an independent investigation into these atrocities in the hopes of creating true peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. I along with my NDP colleagues have been asking the government to call upon the United Nations to follow the recommendations provided by its own panel of experts to launch and independent investigation into the allegations.

For this reason it is important to remember during this month that there is still much work to be done in order to achieve justice and proper reconciliation for Tamils in Sri Lanka, while also working towards creating an equal and just society in Sri Lanka, in Canada and around the world.

While we enjoy this month and celebrate our language, literature, art, history, traditions and more and we look back on our achievements and successes, as a community, and as a country, we also look forward to create a better world for all.

To everyone during this month of celebration and the Thai Pongal festival I wish you peace, love and joy.

Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum!

MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan is the NDP MP who represents Scarborough Rouge-River at the House of Commons.

Now that the New Year has begun, people have time to focus on other festivals and holidays coming up in the near future. The remarkable Thai Pongal festival is soon approaching, on January 14^th and people are preparing for the celebrations. Every year, people from Sri Lanka rejoice in the Thai Pongal festival to welcome the first day of the month of Thai in the Tamil calendar. While Thai is the first month of the Tamil calendar, pongal is a traditional sweet dish eaten on this day.

The Thai Pongal festival is unique in that it is independent of any one religious faith and is celebrated yearly by the Tamil population around the world wishing to take part in it. Thai Pongal is a festival that promotes unity and togetherness of the community. People pay their thanks to food producers and the farmers give their gratitude to the Sun and farm animals, and other factors that provide them a successful harvest.

After speaking with a number of Tamil individuals about the traditions and celebrations accompanying Thai Pongal, I have gained some valuable insight on the intricacies of the festival.

In comparing the festival of lights, Diwali, to the Thai Pongal festival, there seem to be some striking similarities. While Diwali is a time to celebrate the triumph of good over evil, Thai Pongal is a time to celebrate and give thanks to the cattle and other farm animals that provide us with food and vegetation.

Like Diwali and many other cultural festivals, Thai Pongal brings families together and focuses on the unity of people. Love and peace are central themes of holidays.

However, there is a difference in the traditions revolving around Diwali and Thai Pongal. During Diwali, there are sweets, decorating of homes, card playing and fireworks to commemorate the inner light within people. While Thai Pongal does include the traditional sweets and decoration of the homes, there are no fireworks going off on this day.

Nineteen year old Lawsan Thanapalan explained a lot about the Pongal tradition. “Thai Pongal is just the first part of the festival. It is followed by Maatu Pongal and Kaanum Pongal. On each day, we usually get up, shower, wear new clothes and go to the temple to offer prayers. We’re traditionally supposed to go to our backyards and boil a special kind of rice called ‘pongal’. We’re supposed to watch the water rise and pray to the sun and give thanks for a good harvesting season. We celebrate the sun’s movement. We share the food amongst each other and offer some to the sun to show our gratitude.” Thanapalan explained that the purpose of the festival is to celebrate new opportunities and a fresh start. “The prayers are led by the seniors, so in my case, by my grandma.”

Like Thanapalan, twenty year old Lisana Nithiananthan explained the significance of Thai Pongal by defining the role that family plays in its tradition. “After we make and offer the pongal dish to the Gods and do the prayers, we all go to the temple together. Then comes time for a family get-together.” After pressing the question of what Thai Pongal means to her, Nithiananthan explained that “it is like a Tamil Thanksgiving. You pray for a good year of harvest and thank the Gods and animals who make it fruitful.”

Given the information provided by Thanapalan and Nithiananthan, the unifying aspects of the celebration are clear. Families and communities join each other for a day of prayer, cooking, cleaning and eating.  Since Thai Pongal is not a religious holiday, it is open to all who wish to observe it and it is not discriminatory based on different beliefs that one may hold.

While Thanapalan and Nithiananthan have extensive knowledge of the traditions and celebrations revolving around the Thai Pongal festival, others do not have the same familiarity with their culture. Twenty year old, Shane Balasingam explains that he does not know much about Thai Pongal or any of its traditions. “My family doesn’t really celebrate it”, explained Balasingam. Upon asking for more information about the Sri Lankan holiday, Shane replied with “I don’t actually know anything about it, either. My family neither celebrated nor talked about it.”

Like Balasingam, twenty year old Sabeena Santhirakumaran revealed that she does not know too much about the Thai Pongal festival. Upon asking her about family traditions she may have been exposed to or any general information she has about the day, Santhirakumaran had nothing to say. Instead, she said “I don’t know much about it. Ask someone else.”

The question arises; do people know more about traditions associated with their nationalities if they are from families that take part in those traditions? It has definitely been something to think about when speaking with these four Sri Lankan individuals. Both Thanapalan and Nithiananthan had a great understanding of the meaning of the Thai Pongal festival and the traditions revolving around it. These two individuals explained that their families took part in the customs of the Sri Lankan festival. While Thanapalan and Nithiananthan had knowledge about the festival, both Balasingam and Santhirakumaran had little to no insight on the traditions that take place on Thai Pongal, or what the festival is about.

Speaking with these four individuals has made me think, are there aspects of my culture that my family has not celebrated that have led me to obliviousness about certain holidays? Ask yourself the question, how involved is your family in events associated with your nationality? Does your family’s lack of involvement in these occasions affect your overall understanding of your culture? If your family or you yourself do not have knowledge about a particular part of your culture, you do not have to continue to be unaware. Do the research, learn about different traditions and festivals; what you learn may actually surprise and interest you!

By Gagan Batra

Toronto really had the entertainment spotlight on it a lot in 2011! It all started in January when Preity Zinta and Anil Kapoor visited Toronto to announce IIFA 2011 News! Preparations were well under way as Toronto got ready to host the IIFAs!

Once the weather started clearing up numerous parties all over Toronto were under full swing!! IIFA buzz events were held all over the major cities of Toronto!! Contests were created by the sponsors or IIFA as well!!! Toronto was under full Bollywood fever with flash mobs, movie screening events and lots of parties as the June 25th date of the awards ceremony came closer!!

Along with the IIFAs Toronto celebrated lots of other annual events that show off South Asian culture!

DesiFEST in May was fun packed with lots of great performances by many home town artists!! Kudos to Satish Bala, Blue Band Media and all the sponsors and volunteers of desiFEST 2011 for another successful year!!

There was also Masala!Mehndi!Masti! that took place at Harbor Front in August! Torontonians got to enjoy more tastes from South Asian culture with market stalls full of clothes, food & jewellery!! There was lots of great music and some star appearances like Abhay Deol and Vinay Virmani – the Speedy Singhs captain from the movie  Breakaway! The annual 3 day event was a huge success as well!!

We also had the India Day celebrations at Dundas Square to celebrate the independence day of India!! Some of the Speedy Singhs stars were there too along with performances from Shweta Subramaniam and Jassi Sidhu!

And the last big event of 2011 was the release of Breakaway at the Toronto International Film Festival. The cast of Breakaway gave Torontonians a taste of Indo-Canadian cinema! They dressed their best and arrived at the Venue in rickshaws instead of limousines and had the crowd dancing along with the parade dancers led by Jassi Sidhu who sang his single track from the movie!

That’s a year in review for 2011 and hope 2012 is an even bigger year for celebrating South Asian culture in Toronto!

By Zeenat Kazi

Not even the old and grumpy Ebeneezer Scrooge would dare utter a single ‘humbug’ Wednesday evening in seeing the number of nostalgic fans lined up at the Brampton Rose theatre to relive the classic. The beloved Dickens’ tale has once again attracted admirers young and old to witness their holiday hero journey through his past, present and future to attain the all too famous Christmas epiphany. Accompanied with a string of catchy musical numbers, and well constructed props, ticket holders were delighted by the fresh take of a story they’ve already grown to love.

Already in its fifth year running, Mr. Scrooge, Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit and many others have grown into a traditional holiday performance for fans to enjoy at the Rose theatre giving many supporters a reason to come again with their loved ones. With only three performances set to run in December from the 15^th – 18^th fans who were unable to attain tickets will only have to wait until next year for the humbugs of Mr. Scrooge.

“ A lot of South Asian clients are into the peacock feather arrangements lately. It’s a hot trend in the community!”

Accessorizing an extravagant wedding, a much anticipated graduation, or simply your next hot date with a beautiful set of flowers are among the typical daily services local florists can readily relate to on a day to day basis. Yet, for Nimili Anka, the new owner and florist of Authentic Flowers, her typical 9-5 workday reveals a very different and unique floral tale.

Opening her local flower shop in an area with Temples and Gurdwara’s, Nimili knew that her store entitled “Authentic Flowers” would have to cater to the large South Asian population around her. It became a crucial decision for Nimili that she began to open her doors with unique services that were specifically designed to fit the needs of her new clientele. “We provide a lot of Jai Mala’s and Jasmine and Lotus Flowers and things of that nature to specifically cater to the South Asians. They come in wanting puja flowers and often wedding malas because of my location. I am surrounded by all the temples that order jai malas and puja flowers. ”

With a dedicated wall full of extravagant and colourful garlands designed from India to choose from, Nimili’s location has become a Brampton hotspot for South Asian community members to work with for both religious and momentous occasions.

When asked what are the next hot flower trends within the South Asian community, Nimili was quick to reply to our Generation Next reporter that, “a lot of South Asian clients are into the peacock feather arrangements lately. It’s a hot trend in the community!” As many of her clients bring in special requests with unsual ideas and pictures to work with, Nimili often finds herself pushing the boundaries of floral designs to meet the new demands and high expectations of a strong South Asian market.

Presented by Punjabi radio program Fulkari, the event Chirhian Da Chamba-The Birds was put together as an inspirational show at Dreams Convention Centre. The shows mission was to bridge the gap between generations, provide a voice for young women growing up in Canada, and bring mothers and daughters closer together.

The venue was beautifully decorated with birds, folk items, bright colours, and whimsical trees; the atmosphere was perfectly set for an afternoon of inspiration. With almost 900 people in attendance, Fulkari’s 1st Annual Chirhian Da Chamba event was a great success. This year’s honourees were commended for their Positive Representations of South Asian Women in Mainstream Canadian Media. The official honourees include CP 24′s Pooja Handa, OMNI’s Bollywood Boulevard host Veronica Chail, singer Prita Chhabra for her single “Roots” which celebrates her background and heritage, and online YouTube Comedian with over a million views Superwoman Lilly Singh.

Chirhian Da Chamba-The Birds Nest featured a Fulkari Bazaar in which people could buy food, jewelry, folk art, and also receive information on some amazing non-profit organizations. Sikhcess, Seva Food Bank, Guru Gobind Singh Children Foundation, and Sikh Activist Network shared their work of good will and educational awareness with the people in attendance.

Nahar Aujla’s play “Dollaran Di Daur” told the story of a Punjabi family in Brampton on the brink of falling apart. The family in the play told a story of so many immigrants to Canada, that have been caught up in the daily grind to provide for their families when the most vital thing their families need is time and attention.

Fulkari Dance Group performed traditional Punjabi folk dance that celebrated women, honoured family relations, and preached the need for equality among all. 7 Arts Dance Company’s colourful performance provided a fusion element with classical dance to Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” and other top Bollywood hits.

The message of humanity, women’s rights, and understanding was felt throughout the evening, especially as Superwoman Lilly Singh took to the stage for her motivational speech. Her own struggle with trying to break stereotypical shackles so often put on young women who have a passion for dance and the arts fueled her need to become a voice for so many girls that are afraid to stand up for their dreams. Lilly Singh’s talk not only had the entire audience laughing with her witty retort from a Punjabi young woman’s perspective but addressed girl-on-girl hate, confidence, and self-esteem issues.

Harjot Ghuman-Matharu and Rick Matharu screened parts of their documentary that analyzed the different issues young women growing up Punjabi in Canada face. The documentary acknowledges that the ultimate goal for equality among genders in a community that’s history is entrenched with patriarchal traditions is difficult, but very necessary. Although the cultural difference between parents and children in immigrant families in Canada is inevitable, events like Chirhian Da Chamba-The Birds Nest can open up lines of communication to create dialogue and raise awareness of the hurdles young women growing up in Canada face while trying to negotiate between their own feelings and their parent’s expectations.

It was nothing but perfect smiles on pretty faces that greeted hungry media crews on Wednesday evening at the highly anticipated 2011 International Fashion Festival. The media frenzy began as supermodels and top international designers from South Asia graced the Radisson Plaza with an entourage of successful models.

Fashion designer, Hassan Sheheryar Yasin (H.S.Y) relates to Generation Next that much of his success derives through an understanding of the trends in South Asian fashion. “It’s a new society that’s developing with so many different cultural backgrounds. Everyone’s bringing a little bit of his or her own and sharing it with each other. I don’t think it has anything to do with rules or regulation or religion. I think it’s a certain element of personality.”

Immersed within the fashion industry on a day-to-day lifestyle, Mr. Yasin predicts that the market within the South Asian community within Canada is reflective of a growing population and expects this number to only grow with time. “I’m a South Asian too, and just like many other communities we love looking good. We love the element of dressing up.” Growing up in a household of women, recalls Mr. Yasin, made it fun watching his mother and sisters take pride in their appearance through fashion.

When asked what is the next hot trend within South Asian fashion would be, Mr. Yasin was quick to respond. “Churidars! A very, very hot trend. In our next collection you’ll see a lot of churidars. I also think the long shirt is here to stay until some time and shawl and the trouser are going to take a little back seat. Also, you’ll see some beautiful pastel shades, but besides that a very strong dominance of black and white is going to be around for the spring.”

As Mr. Yasin reflects on the excitement of the evening amidst the stunning designs of his peers alongside his own, he reminds our readers of the overall importance that the fashion industry has played in the lives of many individuals. “I believe that you can be independent and work hard but at the end of the day if you can look beautiful, why not?”

By Staff Writer

First solo concert of promising Bangladeshi Canadian singer Mohona Syed is going to be held on November 26th, 2011 at the U of T Isabel Bader Theatre. Well known in Bangladeshi community in Canada, Mohona will present a versatile selection of songs originally sung by Bangladeshi and Indian musical legends. The most intriguing aspect of this show will be the fusion of classical and Western music, wherein Mohona will sing classical pieces fused with elements of western beats and melodies.

Mohona Syed was born in a Bangladeshi family which defines success as excellence in academics, leadership, and cultural development. Raised with these fundamental values, Mohona acquired a keen sense for the musical arts since childhood. Her father, Tapan Syed, and her mother, Lina Syed, are both singers and have always been involved with cultural and musical events.

Mohona was drawn to the world of music since the age of five. She liked to play with her mom’s harmonium and was eager to learn how to sing along. Around this time, Mohona’s father taught the little girl her very first song, one written and composed by Rabindranath Tagore.

Seeing Mohona’s immense passion at such an early age, Her parents decided it was best for her to receive lessons in classical music. For the next several years, Mohona would obtain her first taste of musical education with her teacher in Bangladesh. Soon after, it was time for her family to move to Canada.

Mohona started a new life in Canada at the age of 11. Although she did not receive music training immediately upon her arrival to Canada, her parents always encouraged her to practice what she had already learned. Being surrounded by an extended family of musicians, which includes her uncle and aunt Sumon and Tonuka Syed, as well as Manunur Rashid and Dina Syed, also proved to be a positive inspiration for Mohona. Mohona continued to sing at various gatherings, special events, the school choir and Udichi cultural shows.

Following the completion of high school, she was accepted to the University of Toronto with a scholarship. Along with the news of getting acceptance to U of T, another great opportunity came Mohona’s way. She learned of the launch of a brand new music academy in Toronto, the Alam-Piya School of Music, and found a new teacher in A.F.M. Alimuzzaman.  Mohona discovered her true passion for classical music while being taught by A.F.M. Alimuzzaman. After attending the Alam-Piya school of music for several years, she gradually completed advanced to the senior level. Inspired by her passion and interest, she moved forward to pursue more advanced one-on-one classical music training also known as Guru Shishya Parampara with Alimuzzaman. She is one of the only students to persistently continue with training without a break.

Mohona graduated from the University of Toronto in 2004 with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management. In University, alongside maintaining strong academics, Mohona also developed leadership in various areas. She was the president of the Human Resources Students’ Association. She was also involved with the Bangladeshi Students’ Association all throughout her University career. Every year, she was involved with organizing performances for the Annual BSA show. She was also one of the solo singers at every show during these years.

Mohona’s cultural involvement took on a new path after University. In addition to singing more professionally, Mohona took leadership of the Udichi Youth Committee in Toronto. In the last two years, Mohona has organized annual shows with the Youth Committee that were enormously successful. After training in classical music for the last 7 years, Mohona has now reached 1 of her major goals; to successfully complete the renowned Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts curriculum at the Alam-Piya School of Music.

Blending two cultures is never easy, especially in a romantic setting where cultural values and traditions may sometimes clash.

For decades, Canadians have been branding their country as the greatest multicultural haven in the world, where cultures can pray, educate and live together seamlessly in clustered societies. With an eclectic mix of co-workers, classmates and neighbours strolling on our streets, workplaces, and schools, it is safe to say that Canada has now blossomed into a hotspot for many brave young couples willing to transcend their cultural and racial differences in the all too familiar name of love.

What was once considered a taboo has now grown into a trend among young Western couples, who are openly seeking and considering potential mates outside the norm. As the younger generation continues to be enrolled in educational institutions and work atmospheres brimming with a cultural array of students and co-workers who come from all colours and backgrounds, it is easier for this generation of young individuals to see past the cultural barrier that was once in place against their peers and develop a relationship with these very individuals with whom they interact on a day to day basis.

As the trend towards interracial relationships gain popularity among the younger generation, it still remains a sticky concept for some older community members to digest. For Andrea Martin, a Caucasian native from Hamilton, being in a five and a half year relationship with Mohammad, a native from Syria, was not always easy. “When we wanted to get married, his family was not accepting of the interracial marriage, however, they eventually chose to accept it.” Gaining the approval of extended family members may not always be an easy task for interracial couples as cultural differences can easily become a strain for the couple to compromise between two cultures and deeply-rooted value systems.

For Andrea, the racial strain became a new obstacle to overcome. “Whenever the person who you love and want to build a future with is not accepted by your family and friends, it causes difficulty. Some of the challenges include feeling like you have to choose between two people, questioning your own choice to be with that individual and trying to build positive relationships between the family members or friends that are not accepting of your partner.”

As some individuals like Andrea experience difficulties in being in an interracial relationship, many others like Sophia, whose parents derive from the Philippines, relate a much easier tale. Sophia’s decision to enter into a five-year romantic relationship with her West Indian boyfriend was one that easily gained approval from both sides of the family. “All of our relatives were very supportive of our relationship. We both needed to learn the different customs and traditions of each other’s cultures. However, when my partner explained the traditions, different foods etc. it was easy to learn and become comfortable with the cultural differences.”

Learning to adapt to another culture has been a key message that interracial couples adopt when they enter into a serious commitment. Deana Vasilevskaya, a Russian immigrant and newlywed explains to our Generation Next reporter that her six-year relationship with her husband, a Canadian native with roots in the West Indies, requires the ability to respect your partner’s culture. “You need to try to adjust to and understand each other. Like any relationship, there needs to be compromise. Try to understand and allow each other to express the love for their culture whether it is in their food, or music or fashion etc.”

Blending two cultures is never easy, especially in a romantic setting where cultural values and traditions may sometimes clash. However, for those individuals who are embarking or have already entered into this journey, Andrea offers some wise advice for our readers. “If the person you want to be with is of a different ethnicity and your relatives or friends are not accepting of your relationship, you absolutely owe it to yourself to follow your heart. Do not allow other people, no matter how dear they are, to think that inter-racial relationships are not right. The true importance of any relationship is the love, respect and happiness shared between the two people involved.”

By Anna Katryan

The ninth annual Hindustani Drama Festival, organized by RangManch-Canada took place in Mississauga’s Maja Prentince Theatre on Saturday. This year’s festival featured plays in five languages–Urdu, English, Hindi, Punjabi and Gujarati.

Jeewan Saathi Clinic, the house production, presented by RangManch and written and directed by Jawaid Danish, one of the main forces behind the festival, was a comedy centered on immigrant issues. Set in a marriage bureau, the play brought to stage three female characters of different ages and life situations looking for suitable life partners. Attending to them are the middle-aged female owner of the bureau and her young male assistant. A fourth female, not seeking a partner, but hoping to meet a friend, also joins this group at the Clinic.

As the play progresses, the stories of the three women seeking husbands are revealed to the audience. These stories aren’t just tales of individual struggles and accomplishments, but a reflection of the very issues faced by many new immigrants coming to Canada. The play highlights how the dream of “inhaling the clean air of the first world” can at times turn into the reality of struggling to make ends meet, what with the necessity of “Canadian experience” and other day-today problems facing newcomers. One particular character also reveals the many marriages of convenience that take place among immigrant communities. This lady recounts how she wanted to be a singer but was forced to become a nurse by her parents, then married off to a doctor from rural India. Once her husband landed in Canada, the woman funded his studies, only to be ditched by him after he had a firm footing in this country.

Executed with the aid of spartan sets and some good acting, well-written dialogues and tautness of pace, Jeewan Saathi Clinic takes an honest, uncompromising and realistic look at the immigrant life, often idealised by potential newcomers.

This year’s festival also included two other full-length dramas–Anarkali (English) and I (K)now Englis (Gujarati). Additionally, two solo performances were staged–Magazine Vendor (Hindi) and Adha Mitti Adha Sona (Punjabi).

By Bhaswati Ghosh