FeTNA Convention 2007

FeTNA felicitated Dr. V. S. Subramanian of New Jersey, Mr. S. Krishnan of Maryland and Dr. N. Sethuraman of Madurai for their significant contributions to FeTNA and Tamil.

FeTNA Press Release

July 9, 2007

Raleigh, North Carolina, USA

The 20th annual convention of the Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America (FeTNA) and the associated Tamil Festival (celebration of Tamil) took place on July 6, 7, 8 and 9, 2007 at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh, North Carolina.  Conducted jointly by FeTNA and the Tamil Sangam of Carolina, this Convention was attended by more than one thousand people from all over the world.

Actor Sivakumar and Sivakumar’s son Actor Karthi Sivakumar participated in a conversation with donors for this Convention.  Moreover, they also participated in some other events, the highlight of which was Sivakumar and Karthi discussing about Tamil film industry in general and Karthi’s recent hit, “Paruthiveeran”, in particular.  Sivakumar showed 36 of his selected paintings. 

Karthi and Priya Mani in "Paruthiveeran"

Distinguished Tamil scholars, viz., Dr. Ilankumaranaar, Dr. N. Sethuraman (Chairman, Meenakshi Mission Hospital in Madurai), Dr. George L. Hart (Professor of Tamil, University of California at Berkeley), Dr. Marudhanaayagam (Senior Research Fellow, Indian Languages Institute, Mysore) and Mr. Mullai Nadavarasu graced this event by their participation in many forums such as Kavi Arangam and Patti Mandram, and Panel Discussion on Classical Language Tamil. The Convention concluded with a literary event on Monday July 9th. All the Tamil scholars spoke on the title “Tamil Culture as depicted in Classical (Sangam) Literature”.

Kalaimaamani Mrs. Nithyasree Mahadevan gave a Classical Carnatic Music Concert in Tamil songs on the evening of July 07, 2007 to the great delight of the entire audience.  Kalaimaamani Mr. Srinivas and Ms. Pop Shalini joined music director Mr. Bharadwaj and his daughter Miss Janani Bharadwaj with a music troupe, Jersey Rhythms, to offer a Tamil film music concert that was enjoyed by one and all.

Additional programs at this Convention were created and presented by members of various Tamil Sangams from across North America.  A dance collage produced and presented by Tamil Sangams in Carolina that captured all forms of native art forms prevalent in Tamil Nadu was received with great enthusiasm by the audience.  At the end of the number, actor Karthi got the audience further excited when he danced with the whole ensemble of more than 50 artists.

Attendees of the convention and the festival were mentally transported to Tamil areas, thanks to the many culturally enriching programs such as Barathanaatyam, Mirudhangam, Veenai and pop music recitals and dances by kids and adults alike.

As part of this event, FeTNA conducted Tamil Bee and Tamil Jeopardy competitions in which kids, in different age groups, participated by reciting Thirukkural songs and answering questions that tested their general knowledge of Tamil and Tamil culture.

FeTNA felicitated Dr. Ilankumaranaar and Dr. George L. Hart for their lifetime of work for Tamil which included significant research and associated publications.  Actor Sivakumar was felicitated by FeTNA in recognition of his lifetime of contributions to Painting, Arts and Tamil Cine field.   FeTNA felicitated Dr. V. S. Subramanian of New Jersey, Mr. S. Krishnan of Maryland and Dr. N. Sethuraman of Madurai for their significant contributions to FeTNA and Tamil.

Other activities that were undertaken as part of this Convention were an Entrepreneur’s forum and a speed dating event.   In addition, many vendors set up stalls to sell sarees, jewelery, gems, books, CDs, DVDs and much more.

Thiru Ilankumaranar

Felicitation of Dr. Senturaman