As Singapore advances as a smart nation, the annual Tamil Language Festival (TLF) is keeping pace by harnessing technology and innovation to connect with the next generation.
“Young people today are quick, visual and digital. You can’t speak at length to them and expect engagement,” said Mr Naseer Ghani, chairman of the Tamil Language Council (TLC), which has been organising the festival since 2007.
TLF 2025, which runs from April 5 to May 4, has returned with a renewed emphasis on engaging younger audiences. Of the 46 programmes lined up this year, 74 per cent are youth-centric, a rise from last year’s 65 per cent.
Mr Ghani told tabla! on the sidelines of the TLF 2025 launch ceremony at The Theatre at Mediacorp on April 6 that the team had carefully considered what resonates with today’s youth – concise, impactful messaging and content infused with technology – and shaped the festival’s programming accordingly.
Minister of State for Law and Transport Murali Pillai, who was the guest of honour, said: “The future of the Tamil language lies in the hands of the younger generation.”
This year’s festival carries the theme “Ilamai”, meaning youth in Tamil – but its focus goes beyond just young people. “This isn’t just a festival for youth. Ilamai also symbolises freshness, relevance and continuity which are values that appeal across generations,” said Mr Ghani.
Programmes this year range from app development competitions and creative coding using Tamil script to youth-led poetry slams, modern literature discussions and sessions on developing translation skills.
Participants will also explore traditional art forms through fresh interpretations, combining culture with contemporary expression.
To encourage new ideas, TLC opened public calls for programme proposals, resulting in collaborations with four new partner organisations. In total, 47 groups are presenting programmes this year.
Mr Ghani said TLC is actively exploring how Tamil can ride the digital wave. “We are thinking about how artificial intelligence, social media and content platforms can be used not just to preserve Tamil, but to make it attractive and accessible.”
The festival’s opening also paid homage to Tamil’s evolution in Singapore’s multicultural landscape.
The emcees also noted the role of Tamil media in the growth and preservation of the Tamil language in Singapore.
Marking its 90th anniversary this year, Tamil Murasu was recognised for its significant contributions as Singapore’s only daily Tamil newspaper.
The evening also featured performances that symbolised how age-old wisdom can inspire new artistic expressions.
“Let us all come together to speak Tamil, celebrate Tamil and love Tamil. This festival is our shared stage to keep the language vibrant and alive,” said Mr Ghani.
