scholarly journals ‘You Can Do Anything With a Temple’: Religion, philanthropy, and politics in South London and Sri Lanka

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 186-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
SIDHARTHAN MAUNAGURU ◽  
JONATHAN SPENCER
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Close Reading ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Hindu Temple ◽  
Good Works ◽  
Terrorist Organization ◽  
Charity Commission ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Tamil Diaspora ◽  
The Temple

AbstractOur title quotation is taken from an interview with the chief trustee of a leading Hindu temple in south London, and captures the curious mixture of philanthropy, politics, and individual ambition that has emerged around Sri Lankan Tamil temples in the diaspora. During the long years of civil war, temples became centres of mobilization for the growing Tamil diaspora, and were often accused of channelling funds to the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) and its various front organizations. Since the end of the war, in 2009, the same temples now support orphanages and other good works in Sri Lanka, and their efforts are starting to be emulated by temples in Sri Lanka itself. At the heart of our article is a dispute between the UK Charity Commission and the chief trustee of a London temple, who is accused of misuse of temple funds and ‘failure to dissociate’ the temple from a terrorist organization. A close reading of the case and its unexpected denouement reveals the difficulties of bounding the zone of philanthropy.

scholarly journals Caste within the Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora: Ūr Associations and Territorial Belonging

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thanges Paramsothy
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Sense Of Community ◽  
Armed Conflict ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Caste Group ◽  
Native Place ◽  
Kinship Ties ◽  
Tamil Diaspora ◽  
Do So

This article considers data on London Tamils from Jaffna peninsula, northern Sri Lanka, to examine caste interactions in relation to their efforts to reconnect with people in the diaspora and ‘at home’. The Tamils are part of a substantial number of ūr (home/native place) associations in London and areas outside London. I consider their efforts through changing and unchanging attitudes to caste to recreate a sense of community away from home. They do so by forming associations comprising members of a specific caste group, hailing from a particular village, region, or island in Sri Lanka. I examine the diaspora communities’ understanding of the institution of caste as a wider landscape of belonging. This further considers how caste divisions in the ūr become re-territorialized among the Tamil diaspora. The historical context of these activities relate to the wide dispersal and separation of Tamils from their Sri Lankan homeland during the upheaval of the armed conflict. The article also demonstrates how caste-based relationships and kinship ties shape the lives of members of the Tamil diaspora in London, and how caste-based and fragmented identities operate in such transnational Tamil diaspora localities.

scholarly journals Not your mother’s culture : second generation Tamil women negotiating trauma and identity through art

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Satkunam
Keyword(s):  
Civil War ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Second Generation ◽  
Research Paper ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Tamil Diaspora ◽  
Tamil Women

This research paper focuses on the Tamil diaspora community in Canada that developed in the aftermath of the Civil War in Sri Lanka. This paper explores the impact of trauma on children of survivors, and how daughters in particular navigate these traumas. Furthermore, this paper analyzes how young women bear the trauma differently from their male counterparts, as women tend to be seen as carriers of culture. These ideas of women as carriers of culture do not afford Tamil women agency—instead they are left without choice in certain situations. Ultimately, this paper explores if art can be used as a mechanism to release the burden women feel. It uses the interview of eight Tamil women to understand their complex narratives, and to see if they use art as a means to reclaim agency. Key words: Diaspora, Sri Lankan, Art, Second-Generation Tamil Women, Identity, Cultural Purity

The Political Construction of Defensive Nationalism: The 1968 Temple-Entry Crisis in Northern Sri Lanka

1990 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan Pfaffenberger
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Communist Party ◽  
The Political ◽  
Hindu Temple ◽  
Civil Unrest ◽  
High Caste ◽  
Domestic Servants ◽  
The Village ◽  
The Temple ◽  
Very High

In the same year (1968) that students blockaded the streets of Paris, the formerly somnolent Jaffna Peninsula—the center of Tamil culture in Sri Lanka—was rocked by its own version of civil unrest. Led by an activist affiliated with the “Peking wing” of the Ceylon Communist party, several hundred “Minority Tamils” (mainly of the traditionally “untouchable” Paḷḷar and Naḻavar castes) sat in nonviolent protest (satyagrãha) before the gates of Jaffna's most orthodox Hindu temple, the temple of Lord Kandacami (Skanda) in the village called Maviddapuram. Hindus believe this large and beautiful structure represents the very ideal of the reformed Śaivite temple advocated by Arumuka Navalar (1822–79), Jaffna's champion Hindu reformer. Traditionally closed to untouchables, the Brahman-owned temple provided the setting for a two-week campaign to gain admittance that was timed to coincide with the temple's summer festival. After days of tense but peaceful confrontation, the demonstration turned violent as dozens of self-styled “Defenders of Saivism,” Hindus of high-caste rank (Veḷḷāḷars and their domestic servants, the Kōviyars), beat back the Minority Tamils with iron rods and sand-filled bottles. Feelings ran very high throughout the peninsula, and there were many incidents of violence, some lethal. To many Tamils and outside observers, it seemed as though Jaffna was poised on the brink of an all-out war between the castes (see, for example, Fontgalland 1968). Yet the conflict abated, and although there were temple-entry skirmishes in Jaffna as late as 1978, the Maviddapuram fracas was followed by a process of political unification as the Tamil community—Veḷḷāḷars and Minority Tamils alike—joined hands to contest the declining fortunes of Tamils in a country dominated by Sinhalese.

scholarly journals Not your mother’s culture : second generation Tamil women negotiating trauma and identity through art

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Satkunam
Keyword(s):  
Civil War ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Second Generation ◽  
Research Paper ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Tamil Diaspora ◽  
Tamil Women

This research paper focuses on the Tamil diaspora community in Canada that developed in the aftermath of the Civil War in Sri Lanka. This paper explores the impact of trauma on children of survivors, and how daughters in particular navigate these traumas. Furthermore, this paper analyzes how young women bear the trauma differently from their male counterparts, as women tend to be seen as carriers of culture. These ideas of women as carriers of culture do not afford Tamil women agency—instead they are left without choice in certain situations. Ultimately, this paper explores if art can be used as a mechanism to release the burden women feel. It uses the interview of eight Tamil women to understand their complex narratives, and to see if they use art as a means to reclaim agency. Key words: Diaspora, Sri Lankan, Art, Second-Generation Tamil Women, Identity, Cultural Purity

scholarly journals Diasporic mobilization and post-war uplift: an inquiry into the global Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora's influence in post-war Sri Lanka

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sinthu Vimaladasan
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Structural Barriers ◽  
Level Of Involvement ◽  
Depth Of Knowledge ◽  
Sri Lankan Tamils ◽  
Post War ◽  
Transnational Space ◽  
Tamil Diaspora ◽  
Data Informed

This study illustrates the changing nature of the global Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora; it’s social, political and economic influence on Sri Lanka, and its participation in post-war resettlement and sustainable development initiatives. Moreover, it seeks to investigate if the perceptions of the diaspora are reflective of the ground realities in their homeland. This is evidenced by the accumulated data informed by key Tamil actors and organizations in Sri Lanka, Canada and England. Furthermore, this study reviews contemporary courses and conflicting opinions of diasporic engagement, and investigates the structural barriers that impede on positive peacebuilding. The results of this study suggest that such barriers frustrate diasporic mobilization, ultimately reducing the anticipated influence on the Sri Lankan state. Additionally, due to the digitized transnational space, ground realities are difficult to conceal; however, the level of involvement determines the depth of knowledge concerning the ground realities for the Tamil populace in Sri Lanka. Key words: post-war, development, diaspora, Sri Lankan Tamils (SLT), militarization, identity

Jediism: Religion at Law?

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 350-377
Author(s):  
Tommy Cheung
Keyword(s):  
Belief System ◽  
Religious Group ◽  
Dark Side ◽  
The Public ◽  
Star Wars ◽  
Charity Commission ◽  
Bona Fide ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Temple ◽  
Legal Grounds

Abstract This article explores whether Jediism, one of the ‘fiction-based religions’ in contemporary times, meets the requirements of religion under the English charity law. This article argues that the reasons gave by the Charity Commission of the UK in rejecting the application of the Jediist religious group the Temple of The Jedi Order (TOTJO) as a Charitable Incorporation Organization in 2016 was not made under solid legal grounds but on a moral judgment that Jediism, in their opinion, is not serious. This article argues that the principles adopted by the Charity Commission is wrong and they could reach the same conclusion by using a correct legal approach. Through a detailed study on the origin and the current situation of Jediism as a ‘fiction-based religious group’ and TOTJO, this article suggests that for Jediism to be considered as a bona fide religion, it needs to complete its belief system and bring back the concept of Dark Side from Star Wars. It was absent because of the Jediists’ deliberate effort to distance themselves from the Star Wars fandom. Finally, through looking at the history and evolvement of the English charity law, argues that there is room for the current English charity law to give a more liberal interpretation to allow a better balance between regulation of charity and the freedom of religion. It is necessary because of the public benefit brought by any bona fide religion.

scholarly journals Diasporic mobilization and post-war uplift: an inquiry into the global Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora's influence in post-war Sri Lanka

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sinthu Vimaladasan
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Structural Barriers ◽  
Level Of Involvement ◽  
Depth Of Knowledge ◽  
Sri Lankan Tamils ◽  
Post War ◽  
Transnational Space ◽  
Tamil Diaspora ◽  
Data Informed

This study illustrates the changing nature of the global Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora; it’s social, political and economic influence on Sri Lanka, and its participation in post-war resettlement and sustainable development initiatives. Moreover, it seeks to investigate if the perceptions of the diaspora are reflective of the ground realities in their homeland. This is evidenced by the accumulated data informed by key Tamil actors and organizations in Sri Lanka, Canada and England. Furthermore, this study reviews contemporary courses and conflicting opinions of diasporic engagement, and investigates the structural barriers that impede on positive peacebuilding. The results of this study suggest that such barriers frustrate diasporic mobilization, ultimately reducing the anticipated influence on the Sri Lankan state. Additionally, due to the digitized transnational space, ground realities are difficult to conceal; however, the level of involvement determines the depth of knowledge concerning the ground realities for the Tamil populace in Sri Lanka. Key words: post-war, development, diaspora, Sri Lankan Tamils (SLT), militarization, identity

scholarly journals படகுமூலம் புலம்பெயர்வோரின் பயண அனுபவமும் வாழ்வும்

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-97
Author(s):  
T Megarajah
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
The Political ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Diaspora Literature ◽  
Political Situation ◽  
Tamil Diaspora ◽  
Sailing Boat

Sri Lankan Tamil’s diaspora’s experience are different. which has appeared from time to time in Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora literature. Uyirvaasam novel of Taamaraichelvi is important in Australia’s Tamil novel history. It is about boat peoples went from Sri Lanka to Australia. They went by the political Situation in Sri Lanka by boat. This is the first novel to be published on this subject. The plight of Sri Lankans Tamil Diaspora is recorded in the novel. It has been written realistically, from Sri Lanka to reaching Australia and experiencing various hardships. It is talk about death while sailing boat, children and women been affected and sent off to Sri Lanka after inquiry. These are presented through analytical, descriptive and historical approaches

scholarly journals Functions of English vs. Other Languages in Sri Lankan Buddhist Rituals in the UK

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-110
Author(s):  
Manel HERAT
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Language Change ◽  
Language Shift ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Buddhist Practice ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
The Uk

This paper focuses on the functions of English versus other languages in Sri Lankan Buddhist rituals. The framework for this paper is based on a previous work on the language of Hindu rituals by Pandharipande (2012). This study aims to examine the following research questions: what languages are used for practicing Buddhism? Is English used in Buddhist rituals? What mechanisms are used to sanction change? and (4) Will English replace Sinhala and Pali in the UK? In order to answer these research questions, I collected data by attending Sri Lankan Buddhist festivals and event in the UK and recording sermons and speeches used during these festivals to gather information regarding language use and language change. The study proved to be a worthy investigation, as unlike in Sri Lanka where only either Sinhala or Pali is sanctioned in Buddhist practice, in the UK, Sinhala is undergoing language shift and is being replaced by English during Buddhist sermons and other activities. Although prayers and ritual chantings are still in Pali, most of these are explained to the congregation using English. In addition, the use of English is also sanctioned by the Buddhist clergy, through the use of the internet and other media for purposes of promoting Buddhism and reaching young Sri Lankans born in the UK.

The Role of Music and Allied Arts in Public Writings on Cultural Diversity: “People of Sri Lanka”

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 93-100
Author(s):  
Gisa Jähnichen
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Cultural Diversity ◽  
South Asia ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Culturally Different ◽  
The World ◽  
Official Languages ◽  
The Way

The Sri Lankan Ministry of National Coexistence, Dialogue, and Official Languages published the work “People of Sri Lanka” in 2017. In this comprehensive publication, 21 invited Sri Lankan scholars introduced 19 different people’s groups to public readers in English, mainly targeted at a growing number of foreign visitors in need of understanding the cultural diversity Sri Lanka has to offer. This paper will observe the presentation of these different groups of people, the role music and allied arts play in this context. Considering the non-scholarly design of the publication, a discussion of the role of music and allied arts has to be supplemented through additional analyses based on sources mentioned by the 21 participating scholars and their fragmented application of available knowledge. In result, this paper might help improve the way facts about groups of people, the way of grouping people, and the way of presenting these groupings are displayed to the world beyond South Asia. This fieldwork and literature guided investigation should also lead to suggestions for ethical principles in teaching and presenting of culturally different music practices within Sri Lanka, thus adding an example for other case studies.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document