My sister surprised me with this graphic novel, Vanni, that I had wanted for a long time. I was so excited, I finished reading it within a few hours! I think it portrays the viewpoint of most of the Tamils quite well and doesn’t try to cover the Sri Lankan government. Illustrations were superb!
Appa’s
black July.
I went to work that morning as normal
when I arrived
my Sinhala friends
shocked that
I’d not heard the news
put me on the back of a motorcycle
we spent several hours
searching for my Appa
there were hoards in the street
Shantha wove
in and out
in and out
in and out
hand looming
to avoid thugs who
held out buckets to
determine whether we were
us or them
my stomach called out for
my Appa
and unease
seized my morning pittu
and rocked slowly
in the pit of my gut
my father
where was he
he came from Jaffna
from கோப்பாய் with my mother
from தெல்லிப்பழை
to Colombo
set up his family so that
he
the eldest of six
one
by
one
his younger siblings could come
make a life for themselves
while waiting at the bus stop
Appa had realised that there had been a disturbance
but this was not new to him
he was there
ten years after the British upped and left
for the first of many
when I was delivered home I found
Akka and Appa waiting in our house on
37th Lane
we watched as the
washed concrete houses around us
were plundered
taken by flames
and smoke shrouded the streets
it bloodied my eyes
that sight
that smoke
a mob approached our house
but a Sinhala neighbour
Gamini
gestured at them with a loaded gun
spitting thick sticky beedi juice
and although our families weren’t friends
in that moment
his hoarse tobacco-coated voice
yelled above the
chaos and calamity
stunning those on their
pilgrimage-turned-pogrom
touch this house and I’ll blow the lot of you to hell
or worse
Galle
with the help of my Appaiyah Maama
Appa’s thumby who was in the army
we managed to escape to Chinna Maami’s house on
St Lawrence Road
all six families
served one meal a day by my Aachi
but although our stomachs went hungry
us cousins were altogether
we had good times
but write this down
the government
the world
they sat and watched
our people and our homes
being destroyed like rubbish
until now
nobody has been charged
nothing has happened
no one cares for our people
there will be no hollywood film
there will be no mini series
there will be nothing
- பி @thelongstoryshortis (instagram)
I finished reading Tamil Tigress awhile back, but I forgot to share my thoughts...so here it goes!
Why did I choose to read this memoir?
Being an individual who had not lived through this genocide, I found it difficult to find concrete information from both sides of the war (LTTE and Sri Lankan government) EQUALLY. Media had portrayed the LTTE as "terrorists." This declaration was based on the information provided by the Sri Lankan government - ONE SIDE. There were never any povs from the Tamil Tigers displayed on the media open to the public. Media all over the world failed to EQUALLY portray this genocide. Hence, I find it crucial to read memoirs written by ex-Tigers, in hopes to gain insight on the perspective that was hidden from the outside world.
Majority of the Tamil community outside of Sri Lankan praises the LTTE. In no way do they/we or anyone persuade violence, but they rather praise the confidence to attain equality and Tamil Eelam. However, I wanted to see what the Tamil Tigers and Tamil community members living in Sri Lanka thought about the fight for equality.
I love expanding my knowledge, especially on the Tamil genocide! Even today justice is not served for the Tamils. The pain and suffering of the Tamil people is not recognized. It is important for many that we recognize this period of time for what it was, a genocide against Tamils.
This was the 2nd of April 2007 @ Konduwattuwan, Ampara District
We didn’t like the bus travelling between Ampara and Badulla. We managed to knock down about 17 including women and children, oh, there was around 20 others injured too..
Anyway, quit living in the past!
Lets get the SL gov to get their act togehter about human rights and do the right thing for the tamil people of Sri Lanka who are currently in UK and Canada (and a bit in Australia too).
We remember Pon. Sivakumaran Anna. He was a student activist who fought for fair education for students of Tamil Eelam. On June 5th, 1974, he became the first person to take their life for Tamil Eelam. He will always be remembered.
This post from @tyocanada clearly states why Tamils should not identify themselves with the Sri Lankan flag:
"By identifying with the Sri Lankan flag we are accepting the oppression and are allowing the dismissal and denial of the systematic genocide that was catergorically carried out against the people of Tamil Eelam." - @tyocanada
It's 1 am, and I am currently on page 183 of the Tamil Tigress. It's been very informative and emotional, but I'm really liking the book. I'm glad it was written. Right now I'm wondering what happens to Roshan. Do they end up together? Does he die fighting for Eelam as well?