Wilting Laughter

Three Tamil Poets

This collection brings together seventy-five poems by three internationally known Tamil poets, whose works, over the last three decades, have dealt with issues ranging from ethnicity and nationalism, to religion and diaspora. Together they have shaped the Tamil literary tradition, urging the reader to look at the past and present in new and important ways. All three poets have confronted the reality of Sri Lankan violence, displacement, and struggle in different ways, but reading them together reveals both connections and differences.

Dear Members and Friends,

You are invited to the upcoming launch of the book, Wilting Laughter: Three Tamil Poets, at the University of Toronto’s Robert Gill Theatre on November 14, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. The book features a collection of poems by prominent contemporary Tamil writers, R. Cheran, V.I.S. Jeyabalan and Puthuvai Rathnathurai, and was translated by Chelva Kanaganayakam, an English professor at the University of Toronto.

The night will also feature a theatrical performance, Not by Our Tears, written by R. Cheran based on the poems and directed by Dushy Gnanapragasam. A reception will follow the book launch and the performance.

Valentine E. Daniel, an eminent scholar and anthropologist from Columbia University, will introduce the book. The event will also give audience a chance to share questions and opinions about the performance and the poetry.

The event is co-sponsored by the Centre for South Asian Studies, University of Toronto and the Canadian Tamil Congress.

The $50 tickets for the event will cover the cost of the the book launch, performance and a copy of the book. To purchase your ticket, please contact the Canadian Tamil Congress at 416.240.0078.

Canadian Tamil Congress

Ilankai Tamil Sangam

Association of Tamils of Sri Lanka in the USA

Wilting Laughter

Three Tamil Poets