S.J.Stalin asks, Why this bloodlust toward my Tamil language in the Kolaveri song? தமிழ் மேல் ஏன் இந்தக் கொலைவெறி? [தமிழ் உரை எஸ்.வி.ரமணி.]
The video Music by S.J.Stalin appears to be primarily targeted at Dhanush. His mix of English and Tamil in the Kolaveri song has proved immensely popular with over 30 million hits on you tube. Stalin considers his song a war on the Tamil language and describes his attitude toward it as bloodlust. He wonders why Dhanush chooses to use English – he asks why Tamil is scarce in its heartland, Tamil Nadu. He seems to imply that if Tamil gave sufficient creative freedom for Kamban, Valluvar and Bharathi it should be enough for Dhanush. Stalin thinks that Dhanush doesn’t give Tamil the respect that it deserves. As an ancient language, one which Stalin describes as predating the creation of stones and sand, Tamil has a rich literature and culture and Dhanush appears to ignore this and consider Tamil lacking. This is brought out by the poignant contrast between the focus on the keyboard in Dhanush’s work as opposed to the harmonium, perceived to be a more indigenous instrument, in Stalin’s video.
The politics does not end there. The opening scene highlights an official government signboard, at the entrance of Jaffna, which has Singhalese at the top and an indigenous signboard where Tamil is above Singhalese. This juxtaposition highlights the vulnerability of Tamil and the divergence of official and popular sentiments toward language policy in the North. The continuous flow of buses from the South into Jaffna must demonstrate a concern with the increasing settlement of people from the South. The police board in the corner (again Singhalese top, Tamil bottom) takes the mind down an associative track that ends in colonisation and cantonments. Another associative track is set in motion by the constant reference to bloodlust, intermingled with references to Ahimsa (non-violence) and revolutionary zeal – we all know where it leads.
It also highlights the threat to Tamil from within. After years of persecution some Tamils have chosen to hide or disassociate from their Tamil identities – especially in the metropolis of Colombo. The victory of the Sri Lankan Army and the present occupation of sorts constantly remind Tamils that they are second-class citizens. Stalin’s video is an exhortation for Tamil’s to embrace their culture; hence his parting cry to the Tamil is, “keep your head high”.
The Song..
Why this bloodlust toward my Tamil language?
My Tamil language, my mother tongue
Beautiful tongue, poor thing dude
Tamil, before the creation of sand and stones, dude
If you are a Tamil, you need have a little self respect dude
In the Tamil heartland
Where Tamil is praised
Why is Tamil scarce?
Listen, Tamil who abandons Tamil
Who accepts medals
Kamban’s lines
Valluvar’s sayings
Bharathi’s poems, where?
From birth
To maturity singing
Where has Tamil’s pride gone?
Why this bloodlust toward my Tamil language, dude?
Tamil, my mother tongue, sublime language, poor thing dude
Jesus, Buddha, Gandhi all asked us to listen to the call of Ahimsa, listen.
Studying Tamil’s richness will abate your bloodlust, try!
In the company of the Tamil who one an Oscar [2]
Who accepted his honour in Tamil [3]
The Revoulutionary Poet
Who sang in the beautiful tongue
Mixed his life with Tamil!
Make Tamil live, no let it live
My soul still won’t support me
You who call your self Tamil, hold your head high
Only that will do
All who have toiled for Tamil
Stood amidst lost opportunities
He who left Tamil and lived
Calls himself an artist
Anyone who creates for money
Isn’t a true artist
If he’s one who relishes whatever he is given
He isn’t a connoisseur
Why this blood lust to towards my Tamil language, dude
Tamil, my mother tongue, sublime language, poor thing dude
Jaffna that place noted for its classical Tamil,
Tamil, your duty is to protect our Tamil mother-tongue
I have explained the Tamil version of the song in my Tamil Speech thro’”You Tube”.
The video Music by S.J.Stalin appears to be primarily targeted at Dhanush. His mix of English and Tamil in the Kolaveri song has proved immensely popular with over 30 million hits on you tube. Stalin considers his song a war on the Tamil language and describes his attitude toward it as bloodlust. He wonders why Dhanush chooses to use English – he asks why Tamil is scarce in its heartland, Tamil Nadu. He seems to imply that if Tamil gave sufficient creative freedom for Kamban, Valluvar and Bharathi it should be enough for Dhanush. Stalin thinks that Dhanush doesn’t give Tamil the respect that it deserves. As an ancient language, one which Stalin describes as predating the creation of stones and sand, Tamil has a rich literature and culture and Dhanush appears to ignore this and consider Tamil lacking. This is brought out by the poignant contrast between the focus on the keyboard in Dhanush’s work as opposed to the harmonium, perceived to be a more indigenous instrument, in Stalin’s video.
The politics does not end there. The opening scene highlights an official government signboard, at the entrance of Jaffna, which has Singhalese at the top and an indigenous signboard where Tamil is above Singhalese. This juxtaposition highlights the vulnerability of Tamil and the divergence of official and popular sentiments toward language policy in the North. The continuous flow of buses from the South into Jaffna must demonstrate a concern with the increasing settlement of people from the South. The police board in the corner (again Singhalese top, Tamil bottom) takes the mind down an associative track that ends in colonisation and cantonments. Another associative track is set in motion by the constant reference to bloodlust, intermingled with references to Ahimsa (non-violence) and revolutionary zeal – we all know where it leads.
It also highlights the threat to Tamil from within. After years of persecution some Tamils have chosen to hide or disassociate from their Tamil identities – especially in the metropolis of Colombo. The victory of the Sri Lankan Army and the present occupation of sorts constantly remind Tamils that they are second-class citizens. Stalin’s video is an exhortation for Tamil’s to embrace their culture; hence his parting cry to the Tamil is, “keep your head high”.
The Song..
Why this bloodlust toward my Tamil language?
My Tamil language, my mother tongue
Beautiful tongue, poor thing dude
Tamil, before the creation of sand and stones, dude
If you are a Tamil, you need have a little self respect dude
In the Tamil heartland
Where Tamil is praised
Why is Tamil scarce?
Listen, Tamil who abandons Tamil
Who accepts medals
Kamban’s lines
Valluvar’s sayings
Bharathi’s poems, where?
From birth
To maturity singing
Where has Tamil’s pride gone?
Why this bloodlust toward my Tamil language, dude?
Tamil, my mother tongue, sublime language, poor thing dude
Jesus, Buddha, Gandhi all asked us to listen to the call of Ahimsa, listen.
Studying Tamil’s richness will abate your bloodlust, try!
In the company of the Tamil who one an Oscar [2]
Who accepted his honour in Tamil [3]
The Revoulutionary Poet
Who sang in the beautiful tongue
Mixed his life with Tamil!
Make Tamil live, no let it live
My soul still won’t support me
You who call your self Tamil, hold your head high
Only that will do
All who have toiled for Tamil
Stood amidst lost opportunities
He who left Tamil and lived
Calls himself an artist
Anyone who creates for money
Isn’t a true artist
If he’s one who relishes whatever he is given
He isn’t a connoisseur
Why this blood lust to towards my Tamil language, dude
Tamil, my mother tongue, sublime language, poor thing dude
Jaffna that place noted for its classical Tamil,
Tamil, your duty is to protect our Tamil mother-tongue
I have explained the Tamil version of the song in my Tamil Speech thro’”You Tube”.
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