On Sunday, October 16^th the Canadian Tamil Congress will host a benefit concert starring Toronto based band, Agni. And the cause they’ll be supporting? Establishing the first ever Sangam Tamil Professorship–at Harvard University.

Not only will the evening help raise funds and awareness for the initiative, it will feature an array of incredibly talented artists. Music lovers, you’re in for a treat! To date there are over 25 singers, instrumentalists and dance teams confirmed to participate, including guest performers.

If you’ve had the pleasure of seeing Agni live, you know they always deliver a captivating performance. Sunday’s show will be all that more special because of the excitement and passion the artists share about making history through the proceeds that will be raised.

As they prepare for the upcoming show, some of the artists spoke to why this evening will be an incredible way to take part in the fundraising efforts:

“On October 16^th Canadian Tamil Congress and Agni will present an amazing music show. This show is supporting a great cause and it will really help the Tamil community gain more momentum and spread more awareness for this special initiative.”  – Vaishavi

“Throughout my life, I never got the opportunity to live in my homeland.  However wherever I went, I proudly identified myself as a Tamilian because my parents spoke the language, socialized with others of the same culture and ate the food at home. 

Today, I realize that I was taking a strong assumption for granted; I believed that I was a Tamilian as long as I lived in a Tamil household. This is true and scary. As I grow into an adult, I am now responsible for creating my own household – one in which my children will be raised. They will identify themselves with the culture I give them. I want them to enjoy their heritage the way I did. I want them to feel at one with their roots. I want to be for them what my parents were for me. 

Culture is not just an identity, it is a practice. And it’s most important form preservation is through language. Language allows values and opinions to be protected from all the elements including time and space. We owe our sense of home to our parents and their parents. Let’s keep that home alive by keeping our language alive.”  – Ralph

“Giving back to the community by embracing and celebrating your culture and your language is something that makes me feel so touched. Add to that getting associated with eminent personalities and versatile singers with a great and deep passion for music and your soul gets so inspired.

I am personally motivated and excited to be part of this noble cause which is going to make history for all these reasons. This is a moment for me to cherish during my lifetime. I am certainly honored to be part of AGNI and this show for the Sangam Tamil Professorship at Harvard University.”  – Rajganesh

“Agni is my second family. We have an incredible bond with each other and we all share a common Tamil heritage. The greatest thing about this music family is that we are a solid team but each of us also shine in our own unique way. We immensely encourage individuality in how each of us express this heritage through our performance and artistic endeavours.

The establishment of a Harvard Tamil chair is a huge milestone for all of us. I am incredibly excited about the scientific research and detailed studies that will be undertaken as a result of establishing a Tamil Chair at one of the most renowned universities of our time. I can tell you from all our discussions at ongoing rehearsals that we are in awe and truly honoured to be a part of such an important initiative.”  – Deepika

The opportunity to have a permanent fixture in Tamil Studies generating research about, and analysis of, Sangam literature, at one of the most prestigious universities in the world is unprecedented.

And it will be no small feat to achieve—a total of 6 million dollars is required to establish the endowment that will ensure the professorship can be sustained. But with $1.5 million dollars in donations pledged to date, and increasing support around the world, the fundraising board has every reason to be confident that the goal will be met.

If you would like to be a part of history, and support the establishment of the first ever Sangam Tamil Professorship, join Agni on October 16^th at the Thamil Isai Kalaamanram. Tickets can be purchased by calling 416-707-9104, 647-220-5555 or 416-240-0078.

Not able to take part in Sunday’s event? Donations can also be made through the official Tamil Chair Inc. website.

Images courtesy of Ninaivukal, Agni and Ekuruvi.