Aug - Sep 2014
Vol 01 : Issue 05
Tha LIFESTYLE
www.Tha-lifestyle.com
Facebook.com/ThaLifestyle
Tamil lifestyle magazine from Great Britain
Shalomi’s makeup secrets
Chariot Festival Special!
Revealed !
The troubles in our diet
Single, Tamil, Female… And I’m
Divorced
Exclusive Interview by Sweena Shanthakumar
British Fashion Designer Ramani’s
Kuttibaba : Next Generation Fashion ISSN 2054-3514
Recipe
Madras Beef Curry
iPhone 6: Thinner, faster and slightly cheaper!
GCE Advanced Level and Place at University A brief guidance Also in this issue.......
* English words that originated from Tamils * Careers talk by UK TSU * Tips for your holiday clicks! * Fun question time with Kingston Tamil University students
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CONTENT 02 “THER THIRUVILA” : CHARIOT FESTIVAL SPECIAL
08
01
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
02
“THER THIRUVILA” : CHARIOT FESTIVAL SPECIAL
24
THE TAMILS WHO PRESENTED WW1’S BRITISH FIGHTER PLANE ‘JAFFNA’
25 25 26 28
KUTS GIFT BAGS COOKING TIME SHALOMI’S MAKEUP SECRETS REVEALED GCE ADVANCED LEVEL AND PLACE AT UNIVERSITY: A BRIEF GUIDANCE
Article coincides with the Tamil traditional chariot festival
05
DEEPAVALI “ A ROW OF LIGHTS”
05
NAVARATHIRI OBSERVED BY TAMIL HINDUS
06 08
SINGLE, TAMIL, FEMALE… AND I’M DIVORCED
Latest highlights of Tamil achievement related news.
A highlight of Deepavali festival
A brief on Navarathiri which was celebrated last month
THE TROUBLES IN OUR DIET The article analysis the healthy life style and issues with Tamil Lifetsyle
SINGLE, TAMIL, FEMALE… AND I’M DIVORCED A real story of determined young lady who went through a tragedy
10
FAMILY ARE THE ONES THAT STAY TILL THE END
1 1
IPHONE 6: THINNER, FASTER AND ………SLIGHTLY CHEAPER!
12
INTERVIEW WITH BRITISH FASHION DESIGNER RAMANI OF KUTTIBABA
18
UKTSU CAREERS TALK : MEDICINE
19 20
TIPS FOR YOUR HOLIDAY CLICKS!
Review on newly released iPhone 6
Project news from UK Tamil Students Union
SHANKAR’S NEW FILM ‘I’
Cine news about Director Shankar’s upcoming film and past films
32
DON’T FORCE THEM!
21
Collection of Photographs by enthusiasts
33
FUN QUESTION TIME WITH KINGSTON UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
22
BUILDING BLOCKS: NEW START, NEW HOPE, NEW LIFE
33
EVENTS ALBUM AND FUTURE EVENTS CALENDAR
24
CLICKED
Report on British Tamil Charity Building Blocks.
ENGLISH WORDS THAT ORIGINATED FROM TAMIL
THA LIFESTYLE
| EDITORIAL
EDITOR’S WALL
It imporant to walk perfectly before run. As Autumn begins , and the clocks are soon to be put back an hour, the shorter and darker days will arrive again but the bright lights in this world city of London seem to keep them at bay. It is a common feature of many religions and traditions that autumn festivals include lights and lamps to brighten up the days. During Deepavali and Narathiri festivals, Christmas , and on Bonfire Night, the fireworks and lights will be at the centre of the celebrations. The reason seems obvious, as it will prevent people falling into depression due to the lack of light. Our magazine too brings you some brightness to defy the changes of Autumn. We always welcomed people to join our team. And in this edition Sweena Shanthakumar , the TV News anchor who is known to many Tamils in UK , volunteered to join our journey, a most enjoyable bonus for our magazine. Also Nimalan Satkunarajah , a upcoming professional photographer and Kandiah Kandeepan (Director of Harrow Independent College) have given us great support to bring this quality edition to all our readers. Nevertheless other usual and new contributors have done their part. We do wish to reflect a bit more on social issues as well as on our festivals in our magazine but I have tried to avoid bringing in issues too controversial due to the various readings of Tamil historians. We decided to register and relate mainly to what our parents and ancestors have thought and followed as tradition rather than being influenced by all of the older historic transitions. Perhaps a helpful perspective is to recall the famous Tamil saying ‘ Yathum Oore Yavarum Kelir’ - “All the world is my world, all humanity is my fraternity”. We have embraced many cultures in our history including Northern Indian cultures and those of the Middle East and China. And now we embrace the British and European cultures too. Many of the positive aspects of their modern lifestyles that we can choose to adopt can enrich our culture and we hope will strengthen it as well for our future. We need not fear that they will bring dilution or as some believe, as ‘pollution’ and forgetfulness of our heritage. As usual many specialists and organisations have contributed to this edition while we did our best to report across the spectrum from tradition to technology, and comment on social issues to fashion, and address a broad audience from High schools to Universities. Just as a baby starting out to walk cannot expect to run until it learns to balance and step securely across uneven ground, we are still exploring and ensuring that we can handle different landscapes and lighting. We won’t run until the path is clearer, we can balance very well and we are stronger. But we hope you enjoy this edition and will share your thoughts and comments with us.
Sujay Sujatharan
SUJAY
SATHEESAN
ARIRAJASINGHAM
THANABALASUNDARAM
SUJATHARAN
THA EDITOR
editor@tha-lifestyle.com facebook.com/ThaSujay
FEATURED JOURNALIST
THA MARKETING MANAGER
contact@tha-lifestyle.com
SWEENA SHANTHAKUMAR
BALA THAVAPALAN
THA IT MANAGER
info@tha-lifestyle.com
CONTENT REVIEWER
ROB DOW SWEENA SHANTHAKUMAR
SPECIALIST WRITERS
Niluja Albert Arunn Gnanapragasam Jashmitha Rammanohar Lakshayini Jeyamohan Abimanyu Barathan Dushyanthi Guru
THA CO-EDITOR
COVER PAGE PHOTO KUTTY BABA FASHION BY NIMALAN SATKUNARAJAH
Health Specialist Maulia Selvarajah | Make-up Artist Shalomi | Education Kandeepan
THA CONTRIBUTORS OF THIS EDITION
SWEENA SHANTHAKUMAR
Vani Thavapalan Vinny Flora Arthy Baheerathan Birunthini Yogashangary Keshana Sherika Kuruparan Kurutharan THangavadivel Kavi Barathan Nezadan Thavaraja Angella Edmond Priya Sivanathan
| NEWS
THA LIFESTYLE
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS BRITISH TAMIL KID KURINJIHAN RAMESH
WINS £150K FOR HIS SCHOOL IN BRITISH GAS COMPETITION
Special Report by Sweena Shanthakumar June 19th 2014, Nerve wrecking day for the schools who were competing to win an energy makeover for their school for £150,000 from British Gas. The National competition team viewed creations of over 500 schools who took part but only six schools entered the final stage. The organisers of the competition requested the participating schools to send in drawings of ‘Eco friendly House’ for the first level of competition. Every school produced almost 100 drawings. There were lots of creative drawings pooled. Out of which only six drawings attracted the attention of the judges to enter second level of competition. One of them was from Beecholme Primary School, which enabled that school to enter the final stage. This drawing caught the eyes of the judges, who selected the school for the second round of competition on a specially commissioned dance floor, which depicted energy saving by students’ dance move, at the Grand Final, judged by ‘Diversity’ dance stars Jordan and Perri. Who is this young talent at the age of eight studying in year four thought of an ‘Eco friendly house’ with energy saving equipment and materials in the house and a special keyboard to create energy? It is Kurinjihan Ramesh Son of Thanalakshmi & Ramesh from Mitcham, a primary school boy from Beecholme primary school, who drew this picture. When spoke to ‘Tha lifestyle’ exclusively about the drawing, the young talent just said I was asked to provide a drawing of an ‘Eco friendly House’ at school so I did. He had no clue at the time, as to what his school would get if his drawing gets through to the second level of competition. We wish the Talented kid Kurinjihan all success in their future.
ASIAN CRICKET AWARDS 2014
ETCL FOUNDER GOPI RAJ TOOK AWAY THE ‘GRASSROOTS’ AWARD Well known British Tamil cricketer and founder of English Tamil Cricket League (ETCL) , Gobi Raj, ensured that the Tamil cricket will take its share in The first Asian Cricket Awards took place at Lord’s on October 7, 2014. Gopi Raj received the ‘Grassroots’ award in the ceremony The prestigious Asian Cricket Awards (ACA) kicked off for its inaugural year at Lord’s: The Home of Cricket on the evening of October 7th, 2014. The awards are backed by the England and Wales Cricket Board, which is keen to show that British Asian cricket is prospering and is now part of the game’s mainstream. According to some reports, Asians make up almost 40 per cent of players and officials at grassroots level, making cricket the country’s most ethnically diverse sport. Presenters of the 12 awards included high-profile figures such as former England captain Mike Gatting, Baroness Warsi and ex-Pakistan international Azhar Mahmood.
PREPARATIONS FOR MEGA MAALAI 2015 BEGIN
ITS ANNOUNCES NEW SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Imperial Tamil Society (ITS) will once again host its flagship charity event, ‘Mega Maalai’, early next year for the 22nd time. Exhibiting the talents of university students from many different institutions, this renowned event attracts an audience of over 1,000 people and is staged at prestigious London venues such as the indigO2. The society functions thanks to the continued support provided by kind sponsors. ‘Mega Maalai’ provides an impressive marketing platform which sponsors can use to reach many groups of people, primarily students. Advertising on the Mega Maalai brochure, video presentations at the show and distribution of company merchandise are merely a selection of the opportunities available to sponsors. This academic year, there are three different sponsorship packages available, of varying prices, depending on the needs of the sponsor: Bronze (£200), Silver (£500) and Gold (£1000). If you are interested finding out more about the sponsorship opportunities offered by ITS, please contact Sharanya Maheetharan, Head of Sponsorship at sm6313@imperial.ac.uk
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THA LIFESTYLE
| LANGUAGE & CULTURE
HINDU TEMPLES CHARIOT FESTIVAL SPECIAL
‘THER THIRUVILA’
CHARIOT FESTIVALS
As every summer comes it is a festival time for Hindu Temples or ‘Kovil’s host the commemoration festival which would last nearly a month which various types of prayers held in the temple. The Kovils will get a new look and the festivals will start with flag hoisting or ‘Kodi’ (flag) ‘Etram’ (hoisting).At the peak of the ceremony Hindu devotees gather to pull a chariot or ‘Ther’. So this July –August ‘Ther’ festival was held around the world , connecting from West London’s Ealing to ancient Tamil city of Jaffna in Ceylon, with thousands of devotees attending. From famous Nallur temple in Jaffna to Well known Ealing Amman temple in Ealing the chariot festivals are well attended and respected as important day of a temple festival.
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What is ‘Ther Thiruvila”? Chariot Festival or Ther Thiruvila is a Hindu festival that involves transporting deities on a chariot, or in Tamil chariot is called as ‘Ther’. A standard Chariot festival involves parading a chariot carrying their god or goddess around in a circular route that goes clockwise out around the temple or ‘Kovil’. The chariot will be pulled by devotees with huge long rope, referred as ‘Vadam’. In London , the Hindu temples of Tamils , host the ‘Ther’ festival on a summer day , which brings the colourful chariot followed by devotees rolling on the ground as part of rituals , and various South Asian traditional dance, musicians perform on the day.
As Londoners embrace all cultures , around the greater London there are many Kovils established over couple of past decades , and now the local councils well support the festival. South London MP Stephen Hammond, Current British Defence Minister, attended the festival which he has supported for a number of years, once said: “It embodies the best of that community. It’s a great spectacle and it was great to see so many people coming out of their houses to watch it as it went round. It’s a really good multi cultural event.” Usually Following the chariot, men roll on the floor holding onto coconuts, which play an important part in Hindu rituals. Other men have hooks attached to their backs which represent the burden of the sins of the world that the gods have to carry.
THA LIFESTYLE
| LANGUAGE & CULTURE
The annual Shri Kanagathurkkai Amman Temple or simply ‘Ealing Amman’ festival come to West Ealing once again. The Ther festival once again attracted thousands of devotees to West Ealing from all over the UK. Traditional dance were featuring the event. Dean Gardens will be full of stalls with Tamil food, lassi drinks, and selling bric-a-brac to fundraise for the Temple’s activities.
While in East London another famous temple hosted their Ther festival. Selvavinayagar Kovil of Ilford event was colourful and well attended as usual.
Croydon Pillayar Temple hosted their ‘Ther’ Festival on 29th August 2014
Walthamstow Katrpaga Vinayagar Temple held their ‘Ther Festival on 24th of August 2014
Eastham Maha Laxmy Temple’s ‘Ther’ festival joined by hundreds of devotees with colourful traditional dance of ‘Kolattam’. Kolattam is an ancient village dance, which proves its antiquity. This is performed by women only, with two sticks held in each hand, beaten to make a rhythmic sound.
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THA LIFESTYLE
| LANGUAGE & CULTURE
Walthamstow Pathirkali Amman Kovil chariot festival 27th of April where hundreds of coconuts were smashed as part of rituals. Breaking a coconut symbolises smashing your ego and humbling yourself before God. The hard shell of ignorance and ego is mashed which gives way to inner purity and knowledge which is symbolized by the white part of the coconut.
Enfield Nagapooshani Amman Kovil chariot festival held on 28th of July. Normally as part of ritual ‘Pirathitaai’ or rolling prayer will be carried out by men. It is being done by many people after fulfilling their requests/prayers.
The Nallur Festival Nallur Kandaswamy Temple in the Northern city of Jaffna in Ceylon , is a main holy place of Ceylon Tamil origins around the world which could be held equivalent to St.Peters Church of Vatican or Mecca. Historical Nallur Festival, also known as Nallur Kandaswamy temple annual festival, is the largest Hindu temple festival event in the island. The modern historic festivals generally draws devotees from around the island as well as overseas particular from United Kingdom, France, Italy, Canada, India and Australia. Nallur festival, lasting for 25 days will conclude with ‘Theertham’ (Water Cutting ceremony) , followed by the ‘Poonkavanam’ (ceremony of Eternal Bliss) held on the next day.
Date built: Creator: Website:
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(Current structure) 1749 Krishna Suba Iyer and Ragunatha Maapaana Mudaliyar www.nalluran.com
Do you want to see a 3D view of this great temple on you PC? Visit: tinyurl.com/Thalink17 and enjoy the magnificent temple from your PC.
THA LIFESTYLE
Deepavali “ A row of lights” On October 22
| LANGUAGE & CULTURE
Goodness ‘light’ will takeover the Darkness ‘evil’ Deepavali, (‘Deepam’ is lamp and ‘Vali’ means array) which literally means “row of lights,” is celebrated by Hindus across the world and is the most important festival in Hinduism. Deepavali is the celebration of good over evil, and light overcoming darkness. There are various legends that inspire this festival. New clothes are worn during Deepavali and sweets and snacks are shared. Some communities also begin the financial year on Deepavali for auspicious reasons. What the Festival of Lights really stands for today is a reaffirmation of hope, a renewed commitment to friendship and goodwill, and a religiously sanctioned celebration of the simple and some not-so-simple joys of life. Deepavali Festival means many rituals and lighting off small lamps to banish off all shadows from one’s house and life. The lamps are symbolic of this celebration and hope for an bright and prosperous future. DIWALI OR DEEPAVALI ? Deepavali is also celebrated by North Indian communities who call is ‘Diwali’. Customs and rituals of the festival varies from Tamil way of celebrating. Hindi name DIWALI, a contraction of “Deepavali” emerged to simplify pronunciation under the British rule (1757-1947).
Navarathiri Observed by Tamil Hindus ‘Nava’ means Nine and ‘Rathiri’ means Night time, thus ‘Navarathiri’ is the Nine divine nights. Throughout these nine days of the festival, the first three days are dedicated to Thurga Thevi(the goddess of strength and protection), next three days to Luxumi Thevi (the goddess of wealth) and the last three days to Saraswathi Thevi (the goddess of education). This way three forms of Goddess Sakthi are being worshipped which denoted three powers human needs in order for successful life. For a successful and prosperous life, one needs to have the blessing with good education, wealth and bravery. All are important and time and time again it was shown that one without the other is unsustainable. For example one requires wealth(money) to acquire education and in turn education is needed to acquire serious wealth and also a coward can not look after earned wealth. On the tenth day of Navarathiri celebration, which is called ‘Vijayadasami’ This day, which is called ‘Edu Thodakkam’ (start-off of education and learning processes) is an important day in the life of the children. The children at the age of three will start writing up the first letter using the index finger on the rice spread on a tray. A priest or an educated relative in the family would keep the child in their lap and holding their fingers in their hand and write the very first letter and also make them to say the letter three times. Hindu children start their nursery or school after this religious function. One of the major prayer which will be sung during the Navarathiri is called ‘ Sakalakalavalli Malai’ which was written by Tamil saint Poet Kumaragurupara Swami. Visit tinyurl.com/Thalink18 to read and listen the song.
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THA LIFESTYLE
| LOVE & RELATIONSHIP
Republished from Canadian Online Tamil Lifestyle Magazine
Visit Tamilculture.ca
Single, Tamil, Female…
And I’m Divorced By Niluja Albert
“There are many titles I have been taught to wear in my life- daughter, sister, aunt, wife and graduate- but I never thought I would add one more to the list. Divorcee. This article is NOT being written because this is a title that I am proud of and definitely NOT something I ever expected to happen, but it happened. The purpose of this piece is to relate to those who are going through or have gone through a divorce to know that you are not alone in this world, because the aftermath of a failed marriage can be the loneliest chapter of your life. I now find myself picking up the shattered pieces of my own life. I am trying to put all the broken fragments back together so I have a reason to keep moving forward.” Divorce is a word synonymous with failure in our culture. However, unlike failing an exam because you didn’t prepare enough or froze in a moment of high anxiety- this type of failure involves someone failing you, as well as you failing yourself. Besides the occasional calculus assignment and my first driving test, growing up I never failed anything in my life. I was raised to never give up on anything and dedicate myself completely to everything that I chose to pursue. Growing up in North American society, you are also groomed to never settle for less than you deserve. How do you go about reconciling these two core ideals when broken promises and mismatched values imprison you in a life plagued with unhappiness. Taking the first steps towards a divorce, the greatest challenge becomes finding new purpose for yourself when such a large part of the adult you have become revolves around nurturing and taking care of someone else. No
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matter what your circumstances may be, not having my spouse as part of my life feels like I am missing a limb. I can only compare it to trying to learn to walk without a leg, figuring out how to manoeuvre through life without my hands or see where the path will lead without my eyes. Even though physically I am fine, the loss can be emotionally crippling.
If you know someone that has gone through or is going through a divorce, here are some important things to consider. First and foremost, both parties involved need time to mourn for large scale
loss. For me, it was not just the end of a romantic relationship. It also meant dealing with the loss of a network of friends and family that took over a decade to love and build trust. Sometimes you will instinctively pick up the phone to gossip with someone or share good news and suddenly realize that person can no longer hold a place in your life. No matter how much you care for the people connected to your ex- let’s face it. Unless there are kids involved, loyalty rules all and everyone connected to both of you will always pick a side. There are no words that can describe the pain that follows, so be sympathetic to this situation. In South Asian culture, the stigma of divorce can shatter a woman’s reputation. No matter how much you have accomplished in your life, being labelled as a divorcee carries the connotation in our culture that you have failed at fulfilling your duties as a wife, despite the truth that resonates at the core of the
THA LIFESTYLE
breakup. Thankfully, I have been blessed with an elaborate, strong family that have gone out of their way to make me feel supported and loved. Although they all value the sanctity of marriage, they have placed my happiness and well-being over everything else. All the strength I have been able to muster over this entire ordeal comes from them.
voice in your head asks – who will want to love someone who has already belonged to someone else? Who wants to choose me as a mother for their children when I have already been someone else’s wife? I may have scars from a
“
And when you are going through such an epic struggle, you will quickly find that some people will not be strong enough to be there for you in your darkest hour. They will not be able to handle seeing you weak and broken and may need to take a step back from you, leaving you feeling abandoned. Don’t worry, if they are worth it, they will return. And if they don’t, they are not strong enough to be there for you in the times that lie ahead. So no matter how much it hurts, take a deep breath and release their essence from your life. You will be OK without them since you are recreating a world of
your own. As Socrates once said ; “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new”. It is no secret that after a divorce many people will inadvertently treat you like you are used goods. Learning to believe in your own merits and stay positive is extremely difficult when the little
| LOVE & RELATIONSHIP
one after the other. Throwing around my opinions and laughter like water nourishing thirsty flowers, but all the while- deep inside – my brain circles around the same question. How did I get here? How does love fail?
In South Asian culture, the stigma of divorce can shatter a woman’s reputation. No matter how much you have accomplished in your life, being labelled as a divorcee carries the connotation in our culture that you have failed at fulfilling your duties as a wife, despite the truth that resonates at the core of the breakup. failed marriage but I also know what it feels like to be adored and loved. We loved each other very much at one point and that connection once made me feel like anything was possible. I try my best to hold on to that feeling and I choose to believe that someone will love me again and this time, it will not fail. Trust me when I say that a failed marriage was never part of the plan. Physically and mentally you come to a point in your life when every fiber of your body is screaming to be a mother,
caregiver and protector of your own. Instead, I was viciously thrown back into the thick of singledom. It has been a process to focus on enjoying the simple things in life and learn how to pick myself up and just keep moving forward. So I paste a brilliant smile on my face, get dressed up, and force myself out the door to engage in a whirlwind of vibrant conversations-
The only answer that I can come to terms with right now is that “We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us”. It may seem like just another cheesy Facebook quote on a single girl’s wall, but these words provide me with hope. And when you have lost a marriage, broken a sacrament and find yourself staring at the blank canvas that used to hold a clear picture of your future, even the smallest amount of hope becomes absolutely priceless
One day shortly after we decided to separate, I was told by my ex that he knew I would be fine because I am a strong and resilient woman. I had to really reflect on that word. Resilience is defined as the ability to recover quickly from difficult situations. However, I think that LOVE is something you should never have to recover from. It should be all
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THA LIFESTYLE
| LOVE & RELATIONSHIP
consuming, inspiring and the type of relationship that pushes you to be better than your best. True love never ends. So if this marriage is something difficult that I now have to recover from, I should have never taken part in it in the first place. You should never have to be a perpetual pillar of strength in the eyes of one who loves you. Vulnerability makes us human. The desire to instinctively protect your partner in their darkest moments demonstrates that your capacity to love is limitless. Resilience and strength shouldn’t be necessary in the face of true love. This is what I choose to believe. In the midst of a divorce, it is easy to get lost trying to find the happiness that you tried to force in your marriage. But I have learned that the first step is to find happiness in the strength and talents you possess first. I had a difficult time reconciling the advice to become ‘comfortable being alone’, but decided to modify that advice to find joy in doing things that do not depend on others. Even those who love you may fail you in life, but when you do what you love to do, nothing can interfere with the satisfaction you
will obtain. My saving grace through this entire process has been discovering a creative outlet to get lost in- something all consuming that has allowed me to channel this tidal wave of emotions into something positive. For me, this is writing poetry, essays, and articles. They say that it can be therapeutic to lose yourself in the things that you love to do- but sometimes that is where you find yourself too. The challenge is to discover the inner strength to believe that even if you don’t have a spouse to love you, you have found something that gives you purpose to wake up each day and try again.
looking back with regret. Instead of living my life by planning every step, I am finding comfort in being able to let life unfold as I try to feel every moment and embrace being alive, with the rollercoaster of experiences and emotions that come with it. And I have also learned that as a single woman, there are some hard truths that I need to face – Maybe I will never find a love that I don’t have to settle for. Maybe I am not meant to have the children that my body yearns to protect. But as long as I keep writing, I know I will leave something behind to help those who find themselves faced with the same obstacles in life. Maybe I am slowly learning to live life my words will be my only legacy. standing alone, without a safety net. But at least now, I am free to Trying to leap into new situations write my own destiny. despite my past, without fear of being hurt, bruised, ashamed or
Featured Article by Niluja Albert
Born in Colombo, Niluja grew up in Scarborough and currently works as a high school Mathematics teacher. She is also the CEO and Cofounder of Diaspora Debates. Niluja earned an HBA double major in English and Mathematics and her B.Ed., both from the University of Toronto. She is currently working on her Masters of Mathematics at the University of Waterloo. Niluja is an eternal optimist, with a particular interest in social commentary pertaining to the assimilation of Tamil culture in North American society.
‘’Family are the ones that stay till the end ‘’ By Flora Vinay
F
riends come and go in life, but it is your family that stays with you till the end. You may fight, argue or quarrel, but when something goes wrong, they will give their life for you. We meet many people in our lives and get so attached very easily and assume these friends will give their lives for us. However, when an issue arises, family are the only ones that will be true and loyal to you. We often make the mistake of prioritizing friends over family members without realizing. This can be very hurtful to the family member directed. Therefore, always think if your actions are affecting those around you. Don’t hurt your loved ones through words or actions. It may be too late one day when you become conscious of your mistake. Never leave issues without sorting them out, if left unresolved, they will get bigger and bigger. Life is short and every day we hear about people dying and suffering. No one knows what will happen next. Cherish the moment and be happy while you can. Happiness is the most vital component of life. If your mind and soul is happy then all aspects of your life will be fine. Bad times happen in life, misunderstandings will come. But the best solution is to sit and talk through the differences and learn to adjust to each other. We can’t expect everyone to be like how we are. We are all made in a different ways and are unique in our own different ways. We have to learn to accept each other’s weaknesses and strengths, that’s the only way. Be happy at all times and just keep believing that there will be happy times in life.
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THA LIFESTYLE
| TECHNOLOGY
iPhone 6 Sets new Standard to Smart Phones
Thinner, faster and ………slightly
cheaper!
Enter the iPhone 6 with its 4.7in screen, A8 brain, iOS 8, NFC and bigger battery. Finally, Apple has an iPhone to compete on specs. And industrial design. And apps. And ecosystem. Whats new ? A bigger, crisp display, improved LTE and Wi-Fi speeds, better camera autofocus, bumped-up storage capacities to 128GB at the top end, and NFC Apple Pay mobile wallet features on the horizon. iSight: Focus Pixels Apple introduced a new feature called Focus Pixels, which is just its fancy way of saying that the iPhone 6 has phase detection autofocus. Having phase detection autofocus is excellent, and slightly faster than contrast detection autofocus. The iSight’s camera has pixels paired for phase detection autofocus, basically like using an old range finder camera or SLR, where you look through the viewfinder and try to align the two images that are slightly blurred. As the lens or module in the iPhone move forward and back, these phase detection pixels on the sensor will determine when your subject is in focus and stop the movement. Then you’ll be ready to take the photo. The iSight camera still records at 1080p video, but in addition to 1080p at 30 fps, you’ll be able to record full HD video at 60 fps, too. Slo-mo video at 120 fps was a neat feature that had pretty limited use cases. You’ll also be able to record 240 fps at 720p, so you won’t be sacrificing much quality at all.
6, or 6 Plus?
The good news is that the iPhone 6, which feels great to hold, has nearly all the same features as the 6 Plus. The iPhone 6 and the 6 Plus both have larger screens than previous iPhones. They both have new A8 processors. They both have 16, 64, or 128GB of storage. They both come in three colours: white/silver, white/ gold, and space gray, which is black/ darker silver. The differences between the two aren’t that tremendous, but they’re important. The 6 has a 4.7-inch, 1,344x750-pixel display. The 6 Plus has a 5.5-inch, 1,920x1,080pixel display, plus optical image stabilization in the camera and the ability to run more apps in horizontallandscape mode, with split-screen effects like an iPad. It’s also significantly bigger, and weighs more -- but it does have a longer battery life.
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THA LIFESTYLE
| COVER STORY
Exclusive Interview
British Tamil Fashion Designer
Ramani Vaheesan
Reveals Next Generation Tamil Fashion: Kuttibaba
Kuttibaba.com is a new trend setter for traditional boys wear. A Mother’s love blended need and creativity to bring this novel and unique product range to the world stage. Tha Lifestyle was given the opportunity to interview the Founder of Kuttibaba.com, Mrs Ramani Vaheesan to explore the origin and development of this new brand and its creations. Read the exclusive interview with Sweena Shanthakumar.
Tell us about your family origins & your career background?
I am a British Asian, born in Ceylon and I came to the UK at the age of 14. My background is science and art. My father is a retired surgeon and my mother is a housewife but an incredibly creative one. My early education was dominated by sciences and I did my first degree in Chemistry, followed by an MSc in Water & Environmental Management and later I completed an MBA. Although I started off as a scientist I later established a career in corporate affairs managing roles in public and media relations.
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Having inherited science from your father, from where has fashion interest arisen?
Could you please share the story behind the emergence of Kuttibaba.com?
I think I could sew before I could read or write. My mother is very creative and an instinctive designer and my grandfather was an artist. I have fond childhood memories of shopping for material, laces and ribbons with my mum. She never used patterns or measuring tapes but had a natural and effortless ability to create beautiful dresses. That’s probably the root of my creativity. I have been making clothes for as long as I can remember.
Kuttibaba was created in response to a genuine need in the market. When I was blessed with a son six years ago, I was truly disappointed by the lack of traditional clothing for little boys. Whilst there were beautiful pavada sattai for little girls, boys had to make do with frilly suits or gurtha sets which are not really suitable for a south Indian wedding or event. When I desperately wanted my twoyear old in a verti for a relative’s wedding, I simply couldn’t find one, not in England, not in Ceylon and not even in India, in fact nowhere!
THA LIFESTYLE
The best I was offered was to make do with a full size salvai and wrap it round him which seemed very uncomfortable & impractical for a little boy, so I decided to cut down my husband’s verti and make one. I created a design so that looked like a verti but actually fitted like a pyjama. And as soon as I saw him in it I could see I was on to something. I was so excited that finally there could be a verti for little people. And so from this discovery the idea for the kuttibaba brand was born. Entering such a competitive industry, even with a novel and unique product, is no easy task. How did you meet this challenge and how do you plan for the future of the business ?
I was blissfully naïve of the technicalities, the complications and the red tape when I started the business. I was so driven by the products
The true struggle for me is moving away from my comfort zone and the fear of the unknown. I don’t think that will ever go but I have learnt to cope with it better as the sequence of emotions get more and more familiar. Its like going on a rollercoaster, the first time is terrifying but then after a few goes you know what’s coming next and you even learn to enjoy the ride. It is difficult sometimes to balance family priorities, home and work, as well but I guess that’s the case for every working mum. When I entered the market in 2010 there was no competition. For three years we had complete domination and supplied to all the major outlets in South India. I was truly overwhelmed by the response. But yes the market is competitive now and there
| COVER STORY
are Kutti vertis in nearly all the Asian shops across the world now. I am so very pleased about that. Kuttibaba will remain a trend setter and a market leader. I’ll just have to work harder still to stay ahead in terms of new releases. What are the strategies you have devised to announce the presence of your products to the public ?
I think every possible media needs to be explored to raise awareness of a new product and that’s exactly what I have done. From print to TV to radio to ongoing social media and e-adverts, all of which play an important role in getting your product out there. It is just a case of balancing finances with timings to get the best out of advertising.
and the design side of things that I really didn’t pay much attention to those business details. If someone had sat me down and explained it all I probably would have run a mile! But I have learned and continue to learn that there is always a way …
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THA LIFESTYLE
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| COVER STORY
THA LIFESTYLE
| COVER STORY
Among other Asian clothing collections, there are various designs available for Kids. Accepting the fact that Veshti is a traditional Tamil attire, what plans do you have to attract Tamil mothers to buy clothing for their children from Kuttibaba.com? Like me, mothers see a little one running around in a Kutti verti and are immediately attracted to it. They look so cute, even if I say so myself. I don’t think I need a plan, the design does it for me. I hope there’ll always be a time and a place for a kuttibaba outfit! Though in your case motherly love made you a fashion designer, would you think fashion designing is also innate in you?
Being a British Tamil, trapped between duel cultures, values and styles, Do you in any way see your product could play any role as a cultural translator?
Absolutely…when I design I feel at peace with myself! I couldn’t imagine doing anything else but making things. I am inspired by everything I see. Kuttibaba aside, I also work with laces creating custom made sarees to order. These are exclusive one-off outfits that get me very very excited!
That’s a real deep question. Perhaps not a cultural translator but an evolution in culture. I think being a British Asian, you live two lives, you are exposed and learn to embrace two very different lifestyles. I found it difficult and confusing at times. It’s different perhaps when you are born and brought up in it. I am in awe of second /third generation children and the way they bring together the two cultures so effortlessly. They seem naturally gifted to pick the best out of the different cultures and make something bigger and better for us all. Out of this dual lifestyle comes a unique creative tension that brings about the amazing talent we see around us today from societies that embrace multiculturalism, be it a song, a dance, a design or an innovation of any kind.
After the successful creation of Kuttibaba.com, are you still in search of new traditional designs for boys, or are you focussing more on taking the same further products further afield ?
Kuttibaba is an internationally established brand and I hope to continue to bring new designs. My next release will be a Kuttigirl range. I hope to take the traditional outfit and introduce an exciting new twist to it.
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THA LIFESTYLE
| COVER STORY
This is a very competitive world and the competitors will always come up with different ideas to attract consumers. Who are your main competitors?
It is a very competitive and intelligent world out there. So long as there are clever people competition is inevitable. I see it as a positive and a nudge to move the goal posts and raise standards. All the very recent Kutti verti entries to the market are my competitors. Just like in any other industry, we will continue to work on our unique selling points, our usp. There will always be replica of well known products so how will you protect your product from being copied? For example to have patent rights?
If there is something good out there it will be copied. Patent rights are a given necessity but protecting them is an added expense and time consuming. I find you are better off setting the trend and leading the market for others to follow.
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THA LIFESTYLE
| COVER STORY
Do you have any plans to take your designing skills in to other areas like adults- wear ?
Yes Kuttibaba was originally launched for ages 1-5yrs and later extended up to 12 years. Due to popular demand, we have recently brought out an adult range. Exactly the same concept but in adult sizes too. What would you say to emerging fashion designers about making their ideas a reality and bringing their product to the forefront?
Just do it, sometimes if you think about it there is a danger of your brain talking you out of it. Try not to get drawn into the horror stories. Trust me there will be plenty! Assess your own risks and ultimately know and understand in your heart how much you are willing to lose or give up to make it work. Once you understand your own boundaries, then the path becomes a lot easier. For me intuition and gut feel works better than intellect. As the famous saying goes…if you are too scared to fall, you’ll never fly.
COVER STORY BY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
Sweena Shanthakumar is a reputed English News anchor in British Tamil Televisions and a freelance journalist. She also practices as an Professional Accountant.
Nimalan Satkunarajah is a upcoming young professional photographer with his own style shoot. He will be launching his service soon in a grand scale and he voluntarily working with ‘Tha Lifestyle’ as he wish to assist in Bringing the modern British Tamil talents to wider world.
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THA LIFESTYLE
| ENTERTAINMENT
Shankar’s New film ‘I’ brings Hollywood to Chennai : Arnie inspired by Latest movie Tamil actor Vikram’s character of a bodybuilder in upcoming film ‘I‘, is inspired from how Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger looked in his prime days, says Shankar, the director of Tamil magnum opus ‘I’. “In the film, Vikram plays a bodybuilder vying for the ‘Mr.Tamil Nadu’. When we were looking for inspiration for his character, we could only think of Arnold as he’s a bodybuilding legend. That’s how we designed Vikram’s character,” Shankar told IANS. “Vikram worked extremely hard for the role. We even managed to give him the curls Arnold sported as a young bodybuilder,” Shankar said.
Top films of Shankar that you need to see before ‘I’
The Gentleman (1994)
Mudhalvan (2001) Page 16
Kadhalan (1994)
Anniyan (2005)
Indian (1996)
Boys (2003)
Sivaji (2007)
Enthiran (2010)
THA LIFESTYLE
| PHOTOGRAPHY
CLICKED
© Peter Amalrajan facebook.com/peterrajan.amalrajan
itspetersrealm.blogspot.co.uk/
© Priya Sivanathan Colourful bracelets iPhone • Florida
© Dushyanthi Guru fb.com/dushy.guru iPhone • Isle of Weight
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THA LIFESTYLE
| EDUCATION
UK Tamil Students’ Union launches ‘Careers Development Scheme’
CAREERS TALK : MEDICINE Armed with an informative presentation and determined minds, two junior Doctors found themselves in a high school in Harrow with one purpose; to help students fulfil their career aspirations. Let’s face it, not every student has an older brother/ sister/cousin/aunty/uncle to ask for advice and most of the time it’s difficult for students to gain access to successful and informed people in their field of interest. This is where UKTSU’s newly launched Careers Development Scheme aims to assist. The first school visited during the launch of the new scheme was Rooks Heath High School. The visit consisted of speaking with A-Level students about potential careers in Medicine. We conducted an in-depth talk on the requirements
for a career in the field. We also provided information on exam technique, UCAS procedure, access to courses abroad, career progression and much more. In addition to this, we also provided first-hand knowledge and experience communicated through
Author: Arthy Baheerathan
successful professionals already working in the field. The feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive, mostly because it provided them with expertise and insight they
Considering medicine? Length of training
may not have otherwise have had access to. But don’t fret, we know that Medicine isn’t the only field students want to know about. The aim of the Careers Development Scheme is eventually to roll out talks on a huge variety of career subjects to schools all over England. We want to help artists flourish, musicians hit the right note, athletes find their footing…you know what we mean. Whatever aspiration a student has, we want to make sure they achieve it. So keep an eye out for the UKTSU team at a school near you, where we’ll be making sure the Careers Development Scheme is a reliable, informative and approachable resource to help students define their goals and achieve them !
The Apps Every Medical Student Must Have! Medscape
iOS/Android/Kindle
Figure 1
iOS/Android
Visit : www.3d4medical.com for more information Source : www.medicalcareers.nhs.uk
iOS/Android/Windows
Do you wish to find more on Medical career?
Wales Deanery have produced an extremely useful interactive tool which explains the links between different stages in the medical careers pathway post medical school.
Visit : tinyurl.com/Thalink16
Visit : www.visiblebody.com for more information iOS/Android/Windows
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THA LIFESTYLE
Tips for your holiday clicks!
| PHOTOGRAPHY
Are you planning for a holiday to warm country for this Autumn? When you go for a holiday have you wondered to take memorable iconic pictures which you will keep as special picture with sweet memory? Travel images that will make your photo album more memorable and more unique. How to take the pictures you’ll cherish for years to come. There here are our tips for you !
Include local people in your frames. Try to feature local people in your frame. Local folks buying their daily paper, selecting, having coffee at the outdoor cafe or chatting as they walk their dogs would bring some local flavour. And if you have the time pick a spot and wait a bit. Something interesting will surely happen. The human element always adds interest to your images.
Create a photo story with a handful of frames. Start by taking a wide shot of an antique market to set the stage, then shoot a few close-ups of items for sale, people exchanging money, children laughing, the old fellow smoking a pipe. They can also be an interesting montage if displayed on your walls back home.
Avoid those boring family group shots in front of landmarks. Instead, take action shots of your family eating Jaffna mango or your mother walking up the South Indian temple. They will evoke your travel stories and fun memories, making you smile every time you open the photo album.
Resist taking those traditional postcard shots. When you are visiting famous landmarks, try shooting a different perspective. Be creative and tell a story! Shooting lots of architectural details will nicely compliment any traditional picture of those famous landmarks in your photo album.
Practice your food photography on location. Get a table by a window at the restaurant, and turn off that awful flash. Shoot the local cuisine. Then enjoy your meal!.
Pick a theme or two each day. This will help keep you focused – no pun intended – and you won’t feel so overwhelmed by trying to capture it all in one day. The point is that when you discover a new place, it’s impossible to absorb everything in a few days. Besides, if you do, you may end up with boring photographs or nothing at all.
Be a gear minimalist when travelling. Carry just one camera and one lens which got good range of zoom changing the lens will make you miss the perfect shot. Also Every time you change your lens outdoors, dust gets on the sensor. Remember the power of limitations.
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THA LIFESTYLE
| HEALTH & WELLBEING
The troubles in our diet
S
tandards of living and lifestyle are different for the second and the third generation of Tamils. It is interesting to just look at how our parents spend each day in comparison to their children. Parents spend each valuable hour on important tasks and chores until well past dusk. Meals are squeezed in when possible, and rushed through and often seen as only as another chore. Less time and energy is put into deciding what to cook or eat because too many hours in the day are needed to work. The same choice of rice and curry that they have eaten for the past week will do for another week. Their energy, earnings and thoughts all go into how to ensure their children get the best out of this new country and this new future, for which they have already sacrificed a lot. The second generation however tend to have a more laid-back approach to the day and to their life. They don’t feel it a necessity to wake up at the crack of dawn. Meals have a greater priority in life compared to their parent’s thinking. Going to different restaurants and trying different types of food is as important as they grow up
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Article by
Maulia Selvarajah
in friendship groups and become more adapted and culturised to this country’s ways. If the younger generation pay more attention to the quality of food it’s because they also see it as important to make healthy choices. Appearance is almost a golden rule to the younger generation and they will ensure that they keep fit and look after themselves whilst also eating well. Here the ‘five fruit a day rule’ is mandatory and exercise is done on a daily basis. Meals are eaten on time and not too late and by doing so they look after themselves. They make conscious decisions about their food and lifestyle. This is a key difference between
the two generations and may explain why there is an increase in health conditions in the Tamil Diaspora. Diabetes type 2, hypertension (high blood pressure) and cardiac arrest (heart attack) are all on the rise in the Tamil Diaspora community. A reason for this may be their attitude towards food. Being born and raised in a tropical country surrounded by friends and family only to have to uproot your entire life and move into a different country where you never really get to know your neighbour’s and face other problems can be a difficult role to accept. It can be a daunting feeling knowing that this is the ‘new life’ especially if there is no alternative. For many there is an over-whelming feeling to
THA LIFESTYLE
| HEALTH & WELLBEING
learning a new language, understanding a new culture and adapting to it all. These are factors that can push anyone into depression. In such a state eating Tamil food can be a form of link to their past life. In many Tamil families a plate for a regular meal is three quarters filled with rice together with portions of two to three curries. It is rare to see salads accompany a meal. Usually the curries are made up with a lot of oil, and salt. This is often a lot more than is recommended. Quite often one plate of food isn’t usually enough, and is followed quickly by a second or third helping! For healthy living it is recommended that 2500 calories is enough per day for a man and 2000 calories for a woman. There is nothing wrong with eating plates of rice each day, but it is the quantity of it that is the problem. Substituting white rice with brown rice is an easy step towards a healthier diet, as well as reducing the amount of rice. Reducing the oils and ghee in a curry, making sure the meat cooked is lean and free of excessive fats can help too. The NHS advises that a healthy diet should involve a mixture of carbohydrates, vegetables, meats, diary and fats. There is emphasis on making sure a person eats at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Current research shows that it is not just the number of fruits and vegetables eaten that is important but also the variation. So it’s important to eat as many different coloured fruits and vegetables a day for a healthy lifestyle. This recommendation is not because different coloured fruits look attractive but because they provide more variety of vitamins and minerals than if only one type of fruit is eaten.
Doing exercise on a daily basis is also advisable, not just for improving the fitness but it also helps to reduce stress. Now that doesn’t mean you have to run a marathon, but a minimum of 30 minutes of brisk walking can be enough. And of course it is wise to speak to a GP or a nutritionist before making any rapid changes in diet and lifestyle. Changes need to be made and new lifestyles can be found to reduce some of the health problems faced by our community. The importance of healthy living cannot be over stressed. A change in diet may not be the only thing that needs to be looked at. We must look deeper into the issues and the problems faced by the Tamil community. They are problems that cannot be ignored. Reference: www.nhs.co.uk
Alcohol consumption and smoking also act as a risk factor for health conditions. It has become an increasingly bad habit for some Tamils to drink heavy amounts of alcohol with ‘fried mutton’ side dishes. It’s an increasingly common way of socialising with old friends and family and reminiscing about the past after a long day. The advised amount of alcohol (according to the NHS) for men is 3-4 units, which is approximately the equivalent of one pint of strong beer. For women is it is 2-3 units, which is no more than a standard glass of wine. Excessive alcohol causes weight gain and depression, the latter is already high amongst the Tamil diaspora. As for the smoking; well there is no recommended amount above zero. Smoking is a high risk factor for various cancers, eye diseases and many other health problems.
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THA LIFESTYLE | CHARITIES
Visit and Donate : www.buildingblocksuk.org facebook.com/BuildingBlocksUK
Written by Birunthini Yogashangary
New Start, New Hope, New Life
Who are we and what do we do? Building Blocks is a charity that was started in June 2012 following the brainwave of two friends who wanted to help orphans in their motherland. Most are aware of the atrocities that prevailed following the final war in Northern Ceylon in 2009, and those who suffered the most were the children. These children have been through traumatic experiences and witnessed situations that no child should ever face, which has ultimately left them dealing with the biggest
loss in their young lives – their parent(s). We at Building Blocks all share the same passion. We are so grateful for the opportunities, privileges and the luxury to think, act and achieve whatever we want, that we wanted to give back to those back home who are not as privileged. We were not under illusion that it would be easy, and we knew we couldn’t help every needy child whom we came across, but we were defiant in our aims to try the best we could. After all isn’t is better to improve the lives of one child than no child at all?
How are we helping? To date we have been particularly busy in raising awareness of Building Blocks by means of fund raising and spreading the word by any means possible – including Tamil radio stations although some may question our ability to speak our mother tongue but we try nonetheless. When BB was formed a few of us went on a fact-finding mission to the North of Sri-Lanka in 2012, attempting to visit the areas that were worse hit in the war such as Killinochi, Trincomalee and
Rebuilt Sacred Heart Girls Home in Kilinochchi of Northern Ceylon; Another Building Block
After !
re
Befo Page 22
Durin
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THA LIFESTYLE | CHARITIES
Jaffna. This was to determine what projects we wanted to be involved in based on necessity and whether it can be achieved. We set up medical clinics at each orphanage to conduct basic medical check-ups and the findings were astounding. Issues raised ranged from dehydration related symptoms to injuries caused by lack of footwear to the need for nutritional supplements but the most obvious was the need for psycho-social help – something that was urgent but difficult to find but we are still working on this. This led to the Hydration project,
which addressed the issue of dehydration and heavy duty plastic bottles that were shipped to some of the orphanages with posters in English/Tamil with instructions on how many bottles of water they should drink in a day according to their age. We also fitted water filters so that clean water was made available and the success of the pilot study means this has now been rolled out to more orphanages and will be monitored during every return visit. A recent accomplishment was the completion of our first building project for an orphanage that was severely damaged by the war. All sixty girls had to share a room to eat, sleep and study in so space was needed. The new building was officially opened in December
How have we done this?
2014 and the girls have been very grateful for the space. We also sourced nutritional supplements to top up the intake of vitamins and minerals essential for growth. This was mainly amongst those kids in Hindu orphanages where their diet lacked protein, so nutritionists worked with the chefs at the orphanages to develop balanced menus. The BB team, who visited in Feb 2014, set up a dental clinic for everyone in the area, which led to lots of fillings and education of the importance of dental hygiene – including the impromptu creation of a song about ‘brushing your teeth’. Another need was for an optician, so a local optician in Jaffna was sourced and has agreed to work with us to provide
free eye tests for local children whereby we will provide the funds to cover the prescription glasses. Using local businesses means it’s a win-win situation! We have done much more so please visit our website for more details.
We couldn’t have done this without the support from family, friends and our supporters who we fondly term the ‘BBlockers’ and we have kept them interested and intrigued through our various fund raising events such as the Grand Ball, Family Night, football tournament and the Bike and Hike.
To date we have raised in excess of £80000 and hope to raise more - to do more. We keep everyone informed through our status’ and blogs on our FB page and our website (www.buildingblocksuk.org). Everything we raise goes straight to the projects and not for any admin related costs which comes out of our own (the BB family) pockets, so you know that every penny you donate goes straight for the kids. Thank you to Tha for giving us this opportunity to communicate with your readers and if you want to find out more about what we do, then please follow us on FB or check out our website. Building Blocks UK
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THA LIFESTYLE
| LANGUAGE & CULTURE
English words that originated from Tamil Congee
“Congee” comes from the Tamil Language and in both language it is pronounced as “kan-ji” . It is a type of rice gruel/porridge eaten in many Worldwide Tamil homes as a recovery meal, breakfast and festival food. In South India, fresh hulled parboiled rice is used to prepare this Kanji. It is one of the oldest breakfast items, predominantly eaten in an agricultural society by farmers and other village work force. The word entered English vocabulary through Portuguese which originated from Tamil.
Anaconda
The Word ‘Anaconda’ did not appear in English language publications until 1768 and first appeared in a London newspaper in August of 1768 in a Edwin’s tall tale of an encounter between a giant snake and tiger in Ceylon. The name is derived from the Tamil language. “ Anai- Kondan” which translates to ‘which killed an elephant’ and descriptions are suitable and there is little doubt that a giant ‘ananconda’ would be able to attack and probably kill an elephant, making the Tamil descriptions highly appropriate.
The Tamils who presented WW1’s British fighter plane ‘Jaffna’ During the Word War aeroplane’s potential as fighting machines was quickly recognised. Quickly Great Britain founded a separate service known as the Royal Flying Corps (R.F.C.), which in later years would evolve into the Royal Air Force ( R.A. F. ). There was an urgent need arose to keep building more and more fighter planes and bombers to replace the ones being destroyed. The money needed to build them was a serious issue. Then there was an idea put forward to appeal to the patriotism of British subjects, to contribute towards a fund to finance more fighter planes? In Malaya, an Englishman, Mr. C. Alma Baker, O.B.E. took up the call, and began garnering support from all sections and racial groups in the F.M.S. A feature of Baker’s ‘fund-a-fighter-plane’ campaign was that each aircraft donated to the Royal Flying Corps bore a name significant to its donors. But one of the more interesting donations resulted from a brainwave of Mr. M. Subramaniam, a native of Mallakam in Jaffna, then working in the Survey Department at Kuala Lumpur. Inspired by Mr. Alma Baker’s untiring efforts, he enlisted the support of other expatriate Jaffna Tamils towards raising money for a fighter plane that they could call their own. Contributions came pouring in from Ceylon Tamils from all parts of the Malay States: Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Taiping, Pahang, Selangor, etc. Within five months of launching the appeal, the handsome sum of Pounds Sterling £2250 was raised, enabling the Ceylon Tamils of Malaya to contribute a brand-new fighter plane F.E.2b, built by the Royal Aircraft Factory of Britain. This F.E.2b was presented to the British Government on December 22, 1915. The justifiable pride of the Tamils who had helped to purchase the plane was embodied in the name they bestowed on their gift. In honour of their hometown in Ceylon, the fighter plane was dubbed “Jaffna”. Would someone in Germany wonder bombs that rained down from a frail little fighter plane with the innocuous name “Jaffna”, far away from the city of the same name? Now the City of Jaffna become very well known to Westerners due to achievements of hugely immigrated Tamils from Jaffna.
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THA LIFESTYLE
| FOOD
SAFFRON RICE
With the help of UKTSU we worked with Fr. Jeyabalan in Manaar to provide New Year gifts to children who had been affected by the war and tsunami. After receiving details about each child and a little info about their backgrounds, we were each assigned a child. Using the details we got gifts appropriate to our child. Meanwhile we recorded a video introducing ourselves and wishing the children a very happy Tamil New Year, so they could put names to the faces, making the project more personal. Each person also wrote a small note to his or her child. A few weeks later the gifts had arrived safely. The father contacted and informed us that the children were surprised and very excited about the gifts.
Preparation time : Soaking Time : Total cooking time : Serves :
COOKING TIME
KUTS GIFT BAGS
10 minutes 30 minutes 25 minutes 8
INGREDIENTS: »» • »» • »» • »» • »» • »»
3 cups (400g) basmati rice 25g butter 4 bay leaves 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads 2 cups (500ml) boiling vegetable stock
»» METHOD:
»» B1. Wash the rice thoroughly; soak in cold water for 30 minutes and drain. »» 2. Melt the butter in a frying pan in low flame, »» 3. Cook the washed rice and bay leaves together and stir for 6 minutes or until the moisture is fully evaporated. »» 4. Meanwhile, soak the saffron in 2 tablespoons of hot water for few minutes. »» 5. Add saffron liquid to the rice with the vegetable stock (broth), 1 1/2 cups (375ml) of boiling water and salt (as required). »» Once the water is boiled, reduce the flames and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until or the rice is fully cooked. »» 6. Serve with curries.
Vani Bala Vani is passionate about food processing and homemade recipes, Nature Lover, Philosopher by qualification.
MADRAS BEEF CURRY Preparation time : Total cooking time : Serves :
Overall this was a very successful first project for our brand new Tamil society at Kingston University. Without the help of everyone in Kingston Tamil Society that took part plus UKTSU this project would never have become a reality. We are eternally grateful for the help and glad we could make a small difference to the lives of these children. Hopefully as a society we can continue to bring joy to more children back home.
20 minutes 1 hour 45 minutes 4
INGREDIENTS: »» • 1 tablespoon oil/ghee »» • 1 onion, chopped »» • 3-4 tablespoons Madras curry paste »» • 1 kg skirt or chuck steak, cut into 2.5cm cubes »» • 1/4 cup (60g) tomato paste »» • 1 cup (250ml) beef stock »» METHOD: »» 1. Heat the oil in a large frying pan, add the onion and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, or until browned. »» 2. Add the curry paste stir for 1 minute, or until fragrant. »» 3. Then add the meat and cook, stirring, until coated with the curry paste. »» 4. Stir in the tomato paste and stock (broth). »» 5. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 1 1/4 hours, and then uncovered for 15 minutes, or until the meat is tender.
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THA LIFESTYLE
| FASHION & BEAUTY
Shalomi’s
Makeup secrets revealed
1. To achieve the perfect curly eyelashes, run your hair dryer over the eyelash curler for a few seconds. When the curler is warm (not hot!!) use it to your curl your lashes. 2. If you have good skin but want a little coverage, instead of buying a tinted moisturiser, make your own. Grab your favourite moisturiser and add a small pump of liquid foundation to it. Apply with clean fingers or a stippling brush.
3. To ensure your makeup lasts all day, doesn’t turn patchy/flaky or disappear, use a primer. This will not only hold your makeup on all day but actually protect your skin as the foundation will sit on the layer of primer. 4. Two toned lips? Use a foundation powder. Use a small brush and dust over both lips until they look even. Avoid using a shade too light/ too dark as this will change the colour of the lipstick you want to apply. 5. For a luscious smooth application of lipstick, apply lots of your favourite lip balm to your lips before you go to sleep (my favourite is blistex daily lip conditioner and Body shop’s aloe lip care). In the morning take a damp toothbrush and gently brush over your lips, this will remove dead skin and create the perfect canvas for your lipstick to sit on. 6. Sunscreen should be used all year long to protect your skin from harmful invisible rays. Sunscreen found in moisturisers and foundations are not enough. Page 26
| FASHION & BEAUTY 7. To keep stubborn eyebrows from falling downwards, apply a light coat of clear mascara. Still falling down? Spray a double eyebrow comb brush with hairspray and comb the stray hairs into place. THA LIFESTYLE
8. To increase eyebrow hair growth, take a cotton bud, soak it in castor oil and rub gently over eyebrows before you go to sleep. You may need to do this for a few weeks before you see results.
Model: Pirunthika | Pic: AG Photography Hair & makeup: Shalomi Makeup Artist
9. For those of you who have pigmentation around the mouth area and forehead, avoid layering on your foundation; instead buy a corrector and concealer. ( I prefer MAC and Bobbi Brown) 10.
Line the lips with eye primer to avoid feathering/bleeding of your lipstick.
About Shalomi Makeup Artist
Shalomi is an established makeup artist and hair stylist in the London Asian Bridal scene. She can be found on Instagram (@shalomimakeupandhair) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/shalomimakeup). Find out more about the services she offers at www.shalomi.co.uk
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THA LIFESTYLE
| EDUCATION
GCE Advanced Level and Place at University
A brief guidance By Kandiah Kandeepan DIRECTOR HARROW INDEPENDENT COLLEGE MSc Imperial College London PGCE University of Greenwich
Parents in Tamil society are naturally concerned for their children’s school performance and wish fervently that they may go on to be successful individuals in the future. This strong desire for their children to study is rooted in the
difficult and conflicting times of war, when to achieve freedom one had to work so hard and persevere. Now, however, in times of peace, children who are second or third generation immigrants
to the UK and elsewhere sometimes seem less aware of the importance of education and the impact it has on their future careers. Children with this outlook may not have fully understood the extent of the Tamils’ struggle since
“Having started my AS levels this academic year, career choices and subject interests seem to grasp the attention of most AS students such as myself. Preparing to enter the UCAS system next year, we try to foster the passion and interest we have for our favourite and most enjoyed subjects.” Jashmitha Rammanohar
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THA LIFESTYLE
| EDUCATION
The UCAS Application system is a well organised process in which students who are thinking to apply to universities can be guided well to ease the stress of applying. However, the registration process is quite complicated because once you lose your ID number or account details, then it is very hard to access it later on. On the other hand, it is well laid out and simple to fill in, as well as relieving the stress of handing all of your details onto the chosen universities yourself; it basically is a universal data base in which your application is safely delivered to the universities. As an registered UCAS student, I personally think it is an excellent application process. Keshana Kuruparan
1948, the year Ceylon obtained independence from Great Britain. Consequently, many students may experience what they see as excessive parental pressure to perform, despite the parents’ intentions only being good. Depending on the individual, this may even have a negative impact on the way they view education and their achievements may not then be as solid as that of some of their friends. Many students wish to study courses at university for which there is much competition. Even students who have achieved top results at GCSE and A level may not secure the place they want to study where they wish. This can be due to overconfidence which
leads to underperformance in school exams at A Level, thus affecting their entire grade. By contrast, other students may be unsuccessful in their application to university for their preferred course only because they don’t persevere with their studies and thus don’t achieve the required grades. However many of those who may have struggled in their earlier academic life may then feel that they are doing better with firsts and upper second degrees when they graduate at University. This may be due to greater interest and passion for the course which fuels their drive to learn and succeed. Students who have a real interest in and passion for the course they are studying at university tend to fare better
through the work needed and achieve the best degrees. And of course these students will be more attractive to employers after graduation. Making applications to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service ( UCAS ) can be a very stressful period of time for students and teachers alike. With the support of parents and teachers, students need to know the best courses to apply for and at which universities. When choosing a course to study at university students must research the job opportunities that may arise after graduation. And they must be aware of the different job availabilities, their salaries and whether the
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THA LIFESTYLE
| EDUCATION
jobs have security and stability throughout the country’s economic cycle. Students should think abut their future lifestyles as well. Some jobs are stressful and more demanding than others regardless of higher pay. Furthermore, with recently emerging economies like India and China having had ‘booms’ of their own, many graduates will move around the world for work. Some jobs allow more flexibility in this regard, whilst others are rooted to particular locations. After deciding on the course, students must research further about which subjects they need to study. This may vary depending on the university they apply to. Students must also know of any additional studies or activities they should take up to obtain an
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offer from the University for their intended course. Further information regarding University requirements can be obtained from the UCAS web page at www.ucas.com Parents must be aware too that universities don’t only look at students’ grades, even though top universities give more preference to them. They also view students’ personal statements and their schools’ recommendations or reference letters. Extra-curricular activities such as sport, music or drama can be helpful in obtaining extra UCAS points. Students should be receptive to all advice given by their schools’ tutors and grasp any opportunities given to them. If needed, students and parents can also seek independent career analysts’
guidance who examine the students skills and suitabilities for their chosen study and career and can make useful recommendations. In conclusion, parents’ inputs on a child’s education can have varied impacts on the student and their educational performance. Children’s natural ability can be observed from primary and secondary education. And despite this, parental pressure may not be the best way to encourage children to study at a higher educational institution. Whilst parents should be no less lenient with their children’s education they must not forget to find the right balance for their children’s academic life.
THA LIFESTYLE
| EDUCATION
“My UCAS experience is one which I would not forget. It’s a time where you begin to think what your future career would be. The steps to applying for university is nerve racking however it also gives you great excitement on entry into university on a career which you have always wished to do! I have been through UCAS which is a great system as it helps all students to make the right choice with the right grades. UCAS has now enabled me to go to a university to do Law and now I’m currently in my final year. Honestly the immense satisfaction you get is unreal. UCAS is an amazing way to help students to get into university, I have enjoyed every step of the way and now the real world begins.” Sherika Kuruparan
Harrow Independent College is an substitute for Harrow Tutorial College. We are working hard with students and parents to bring as an independent full-time sixth form college from September 2015 and would be specialising in mathematics, science and economics.
Writing Personal Statements for UCAS?
Ten things you shouldn’t miss
Don’t copy anyone, or the Internet. This is good 1. Explain your reasons for wanting to study the course practice for university, where essays can be checked 2. Explain how you’re right for the course with anti-plagiarising software. Don’t lie, even if 3. Say what you’ve done outside the classroom you consider it “Just an exaggeration”. If you are 4. …Why it’s relevant to your course passionate about something, say so – don’t be afraid 5. …And relevant to your chosen career of sounding geeky. Check your spellings – especially 6. Can you demonstrate transferable skills..? names which Spellcheck might miss. Avoid clichés . Get on with it! 7. Expand on the most relevant ones 8. Show that you’re a critical thinker 9. What’s the long term plan? 10. Keep it positive
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THA LIFESTYLE | OPINIONS
Don't force them! A young mother’s ordeal By Sophie Kathir When one of my all time favourite actors, Robin Williams, passed away, I decided to watch all his movies as a tribute. That is when I came across his movies that all Asian parents must watch. ‘Dead Poets Society’ by Peter Weir. The story line is about what can happen when parents pressure their kids to do something they don’t like. As a second generation Tamil child, I was one the very few lucky one who wasn’t pressured to achieve what my parents wanted to achieve when they were younger. It also helped enormously when I declared I wanted to become a doctor. But when the time to apply for Uni came, I chose to do Egyptology for the extra 2 choices on my UCAS application. My parents obviously disagreed even though they knew I had a deep passion for it since I was in primary school. Having your own passion and dreams are two themes that most Tamil parents are not aware of. At the end, I put down biomedical sciences with my parents approval. When I got into biomedical sciences and not medicine, my parents announced to all family across the world that I got into medicine leaving out the ‘bio’ and the ‘science’ part because apparently that was irrelevant. Being a good, polite girl, I didn’t want to correct that there was indeed a big difference between medicine and biomedical sciences. But it made me think why they felt so embarrassed of me not getting into medicine? Why couldn’t they show support when I was feeling down myself. Was my parents pride more important than their daughter’s feelings? Some of my family members are now asking if I am a doctor yet. What can I answer? Later on, people have tried to convince me to study for another profession since the science field wasn’t a good money making career. However, what they don’t understand it that it’s not always about money but about passion. When you do a job you love, the job wouldn’t feel like
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a job. To me, going into work daily isn’t a hassle but feels like going to my second family. Yes, my job is stressful but it doesn’t look like the end of the world because of the love I have for the work. No, I didn’t make it into my preferred career of being a doctor but I am doing a job still in the medical/ science field. But for some reason, we don’t understand the term passion. What is it about Asians parents and their apparent need to have children in jobs that can provide with money, status and pride? Why don’t they see a world beyond being doctors, lawyers and engineers? Why can’t parents admit that we as children don’t want to do something they wanted to but couldn’t do? I have come across so many friends and acquaintances who have degrees or jobs which they absolutely hate but do because it was their parents wish and they have lost their own voice and identity as a result. I have known quite a few who were forced to do medicine because their parents wanted them to. The parents are now happy and proud that their child is a doctor. But you look at the child and you will feel sorry. After all, it’s not the parents who are doing a job they not only hate but wears you out and does not pay you enough. However, saying that, I am quite impressed by the number of people who do a degree for the sake of their parents but then believe in them self so much, despite whatever other people think, and still stand up for themselves and follow a career of their own choice. And the result? A well balanced and perhaps more diverse Tamil community. On one side we have the typical jobs and on the other now we have entertainers, professional photographers, entrepreneurs, animators, scriptwriters, and many more. And the second group are also the ones that are better known and respected in society. Can’t parents see that when you leave your kids to do something they love, not only will they succeed more easily but be respected or even renowned for it as well.
Speaking as a parent now, I can understand some of the psychology behind this. All parents want their children to achieve mighty things! All parents want their kids to achieve to their full potential! All parents want to provide their kids what they couldn’t do in their childhood. Most of our parents have wasted their talents and abilities because of our civil war. They were so busy trying to save themselves that they couldn’t concentrate on anything else. And so they want their kids to not miss any opportunities. But this is where my understanding finishes. I am providing my children with whatever I come across regardless of cost because I want them to try everything. But the moment I know she is not enjoying one of her classes, I will only make her do another term to really see if she hates it and then stop that particular class. I have lost money when my daughter changed her mind about her classes but at the end of the day, her happiness is what matters. When you force your kids into something they hate, they will do it but they won’t succeed. They will do the very minimum just for the sake of doing it! As soon as both my children were born, I didn’t decide what they must become but I promised myself that I will do whatever I can to make them happy. We need to understand that they have their own passions and visions in their own lives. You cannot force your dreams onto your child. My parenting is based on my experience as a second generation child in Europe. I will support my children in whatever they chose to do in their future ,as long as it is reasonable and passionate about it, because I just want them to have their own identity, believe in themselves and for them to be wholesome happy individuals. More importantly, I want them to be passionate and love their life!
THA LIFESTYLE | UNI LIFE
Fun Question time with Tamil Students
What is the stupidest thing you have done in your life? LAKSHAYINI JEYAMOHAN “Most of the things I do are very stupid. But the most stupidest I can recall is when I came to London for the first time. I didn’t know we had to have a bath inside the bathtub. I stood on the marble floor, and had a bath outside the tub; ended up damaging the whole floor.”
What would you do if you go invisible for whole day? KAVI BARATHAN “I would love to shadow a dancer from the Lion King musical, try to imitate their moves and feel what it would be like to dance in front of hundreds of people” NEZANDAN THAVARAJA Be a superhero, by getting rid of crimes and beat up bullies.
KURUTHARAN THANGAVADIVEL I took a life jacket from a plane, thinking it was a toy. ABIMANYU BARATHAN “When I was in year 6, I went to the beach on a school trip, I thought I was an excellent swimmer so I started swimming deep to try and show off to my friends, however after a while the current started to carry me off and I had to be rescued by a life guard, and after that I was told off by the life guard for and my teachers for a few hours”
ANGELLA EDMOND I will sneak into a haunted house, and see if the ghosts can see me. Will be nice to chill with more invisible people.
If you could be an opposite gender one day what would you do in that day time? KURUTHARAN THANGAVADIVEL Go into western Jewellers, and try out all the latest designs. ANGELLA EDMOND I would attend Gay pride day in London, make live speeches, and hope to wipe out Tamil’s judgements with LGBTQ Community.
LAKSHAYINI JEYAMOHAN I will find a girlfriend, and treat and spoil her so much. Will treat her of how I would love to be treated for the whole day! Page 33
THA LIFESTYLE
| EVENTS
Maths Challenge: Kalai Malai
13th Sept 2014 @ Fairview Halls ,Croydon By Chithambara Wellwishers Network
‘CW maths challenge’ is an annual maths examination, conducted by Chidambara well wishers network for children attending schools from year 1 to 6. From 2015 the exam board has decided to extend the examination for, up to year 9 pupils. CW maths challenge was first started in 2012 where just over 200 pupils have participated in the examinations. As the exams got more popular among the parents, the last exam has seen entrants of over 1400 from all over the UK. In an effort to taking this to the next level, ‘CW maths challenge’ has conducted their exams in two centres in Jaffna, Srilanka. The next venue for examinations would be Canada in 2015, followed by Australia in the foreseeable future. Here is a brief on how the examinations function. The application for the examination entry is available online at www.cwnmathschallenge.co.uk. The closing deadline for online application is 12th May 2015 and the examination will take place simultaneously at various centres in the UK on the second Saturday of June 2015. The prize giving will take place on second Saturday of September 2015.
Do you want to take part in Maths Challenge 2015 ? Visit : cwnmathschallenge.co.uk/maths-challenge-2015 Page 34
THA LIFESTYLE
Classic Music Concert of Sudha Ragunathan
| EVENTS
06th October @ Kenneth More Theatre, Ilford By ‘Othulaippu’
a collaboration of charities
Walk in Richmond Park
THA CALENDAR
23
Oct 2014
01
Nov 2014
07th September @ Richmond Park By serendipchildrenshome.com
01
Nov 2014
27
Dec 2014
WALES DEEPAVALI
HEART 2 HEART WALK
RAGA SANGAMAM 2014
V4U DINNER DANCE
VENUE Wales Millennium Centre TIME 17:00 - 22:00
VENUE Gloucestershire TIME 9.00 a.m.onwards DETAILS- Group of British Tamils along with friends, raising funds yet again for charity by walking TICKETS Free
VENUE Eastbury Comprehensive School
VENUE Nakshatra Banqueting Hall
TIME 5.00 p.m. Onwards
TIME 7.00 p.m. Onwards
DETAILS- The celebrations involve performances like Live Music, Classical Bollywood Dance, Flame Throwers followed by Fireworks display TICKETS Free CONTACT Mathan S Raja 07590363983
WEB www.h2hwalk.org DONATE www.h2hwalk.org/ donate.html CONTACT Johannes Shanmugam on 07815 496902
DETAILS- A musical night by the young talents in the aid of Sithambareswarar Temple. TICKETS Single £10.00 / Family £25.00 / VIP £50.00 (Couple CONTACT Niranjan - 0787 6404354 Segar - 0787 214 4794
DETAILS- Charity fund raising dinner & Dance TICKETS Adult ticket - Age from 13 onwards £30.00 children tickets age from 05 - 12 CONTACT 07914 012 985 www.v4uuk.org
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