Tamils to create a landmark event in Maryland

During July 4^th weekend [July 6-8 because July 4^th falls on Wednesday], Washington DC/Baltimore, MD, is going to bristle with activities of glamour, grandeur and color. For the last 24 years, Federation of Tamil Sangams (Associations) of North America called FeTNA, an umbrella organization for nearly 40 local Organizations, presents a Mega event each year in a different state and city where Tamils of North America congregate, celebrate their culture, recognize community achievements, organize professional forums, enjoy Music, Dance, Literature and Theater performances, rejoice meeting Golly wood( South Indian movie) artists, film and music directors, eminent speakers/poets, soap opera stars from India. The locals also get to show case their talent in this 3-day-mega Event.

This is one of the biggest Tamil Conventions ever hosted by Tamils of North America in Maryland history. FETNA is a non-profit, nonpartisan, literary, cultural organization and attracts nearly 2000 Tamils each year. It’s an opportunity for the diaspora Tamils for reunions of their alumni, native villages and cities, relatives, friends and other special interest groups. In 2012, it will be the Silver Jubilee Convention for FeTNA with an anticipated attendance of 5,000 Tamils from all over North America. Do you call this a Convention? Carnival? Cultural fare? Well everything. Everyone has something to look forward to.

Tamil, recognized as a classical language, is one of the ancient languages of the Dravidian Era with a recorded history going back 2 millennia, with rich cultural heritage and classical literature. Every year, FeTNA honors and celebrates legends of Tamil language and literature. In this year's Silver Jubilee convention, FeTNA is honoring an eminent Tamil literary scholar of the Twentieth century Dr. Mu. Varadharajan, popularly known as MU.VA., and is celebrating his 100th Anniversary.

Even for a non Tamil, the language is not a barrier; there is so much for the eyes, the ears and the palate. The main function starts on July 6th morning with a welcome for the chief guests with special music, and children’s procession followed by variety performances.

The stage is set to receive all the special guests from India. Those who are familiar with Tamil Literature and Art may like to know that the famous movie stars Surya, Trisha, comedy actor Vadivel, Standup comedian Madurai Muthu, Tamil Poet Thamizhachi Thangapandian, Mr. Sagaayam, IAS, Madurai District Collector, Tamil spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravishankar, old time fame actress Sarojadevi and TV fame Siva karthikeyan have all consented to attend and participate in the mega Event..

Maryland political dignitaries like Mr. Martin O'Malley, Governor of Maryland, Anthony G Brown, Lieutenant Governor of MD and Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Mayor of Baltimore, have kindly accepted the invitation and will honor the function with their presence. United States Congressmen, Senators and dignitaries are looking into participating in the event. Both the evenings are earmarked for special programs.

On Friday, July 6^th evening, there is a special Tamil folk event This is a street play like a village theater with simple props and informal interaction with the audience that makes it very entertaining. The artists are from Trichy, India and are specially trained in this traditional form of art. On Saturday, July 7th, evening, there is a light music program from Tamil Movies in the presence of famous Music director GV Prakash along with a group of singers from India.

Apart from these, there are other entertainment items presented by US based Tamil Chapters. There are parallel programs like Continuing Medical Education (CME), Entrepreneur forum, Singles’ Forum, Young Tamils Forum etc. There is plenty of art, craft, food, trade shows, local, national, international culture: what else could one ask for?

The entire convention is planned under the able leadership of Mr. Balagan Arumugaswamy, of Maryland who is the Coordinator of the Convention. The President of FETNA, Dr. Pazhani Sundaram of Connecticut joins hands with Mr. Arumugaswamy by providing enormous support and guidance.

Hundreds of volunteers are working tirelessly to make this silver jubilee convention a great success so that the Tamils earn a place in North American history.

Welcome to FeTNA

Following Frequently Asked Questions will help you to know more about the past, present and future of FeTNA. If you have any further questions, please contact us.

What is the Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America?

It is an umbrella organization of Tamil Sangams that function within the North American Continent. FeTNA is a registered, non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. It was founded in 1987 by five Tamil Sangams: Tamil Association of Delaware Valley, Tamil Sangam of Washington & Baltimore, New York Tamil Sangam, Ilankai Tamil Sangam and Harrisburg Tamil Sangam. An assembly of over 400 Tamils near Philadelphia celebrated the inauguration in the spring of 1988. Since then the Federation (FeTNA for abbreviation) has organized an annual convention each of the subsequent years.

1988 - Broomall, Pennsylvania
1989 - Washington, Washington DC
1990 - Staten Island, New York
1991 - Hoffman Estates, Illinois
1992 - College Park, Maryland
1993 - Kenosha, Wisconsin
1994 - Somerset, New Jersey
1995 - Toledo, Ohio
1996 - Stamford, Connecticut
1997 - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1998 - Edwardsville, Illinois
1999 - Atlantic City, New Jersey
2000 - Tampa, Florida
2001 - Southfield, Michigan
2002 - University Park, Illinois
2003 - Trenton, New Jersey
2004 - Baltimore, Maryland
2005 - Dallas, Texas
2006 - New York, New York

2007 - Raleigh, North Carolina

2008 - Orlando, Florida

2009 - Atlanta, Georgia

2010 - Waterbury, Connecticut

2011 - Charleston, South Carolina

Why is FeTNA needed?

The Tamils in this country are spread over the entire country. Distance has prevented us from forming large communities. A few well-organized Tamil Sangams are present in large metropolitan areas where there is sufficient number of Tamils present to obtain a sense of Tamil Togetherness. By and large, most Tamil Sangams consist of less than 100 active families. These are too small to form active communities and develop community features and resources, and fragile enough to fall prey to factionalism. Networking with other Sangams offer the possibilities of connectivity, stability, and increased resources. FeTNA meets this need. FeTNA provides for developing connectivity among the Tamil Communities in North America. Its primary objective is the preservation and growth of Tamil Language, Culture, and Community.

What is our objective?

The Federation is a non-profit, literary, educational, cultural, charitable, secular, and nonpartisan organization.

• To establish a centralized organization comprised of elected representatives of Tamil associations in North America and of individuals living in North America who have contributed to the objectives of the Federation and who join as Life Members.

• To cultivate, promote, foster, and develop the advancement of knowledge in Tamil language, literature and culture.

• To cultivate, promote, and foster the exchange of ideas and understanding between the Tamil people and other cultures.

• To promote better understanding and foster friendship among various Tamil associations in North America and to encourage the formation of new Tamil Sangams.

• To act upon charitable causes directly concerning the welfare of Tamil community living throughout the world.

What is our Bylaws?

Click here to read Bylaws document
Click here to read Amendments document

What has FeTNA done to date?

FeTNA has been principally responsible for bringing together Forty Tamil Sangams to celebrate annually a festival in which the individuals and groups from member Sangams have presented artistic programs or interacted in one of many activities organized during the convention weekend. People who have attended the past fifteen conventions have almost all had been complimentary in describing their experience. It has been tremendously heartening to note that the annual convention is an event to be at with the family. The youth have especially complimentary.

The second accomplishment has been FeTNA's sponsorship of twenty four Tamil Scholars in the past fifteen years to visit the US and the various members Tamil Sangams. FeTNA is committed to sponsor at least two Tamil Scholar each year. The other accomplishments of FeTNA include the project for a Tamil chair and hence the support FeTNA has provided to the University of California, Berkeley Tamil Chair Project.

Why should a Tamil Sangam become a member of FeTNA?

Local Tamil Sangam is analogous to your immediate family and FeTNA is your larger family. Another analogy that might describe the relationship is, FeTNA is a community while local Tamil Sangam is a single home in the community of FeTNA. By becoming a member of FeTNA, the local Tamil Sangam is eligible to FeTNA sponsored activities such as the Tamil Scholar Program. Perhaps the most important benefit to local Tamil Sangam is the connectivity it will develop with other Tamil Sangams in North America. Such benefits as job, business, and marriage connections have already benefited many.

What should a local Tamil Sangam do to become a member of FeTNA?

To qualify to become a FeTNA member, the objectives of the local Tamil Sangam (within the North America) should be compatible with those of FeTNA's. Your Tamil Sangam could obtain a copy of FeTNA's constitution by a simple e-mail or phone call. The formal process of application requires that a letter expressing the interest of the local Tamil Sangam together with a copy of its constitution or by-laws and a statement of the strength of its membership should be submitted to:

Dr. Pazhani Sundaram

President FeTNA (2010-2012)

15 Briar Ct

Cheshire, CT

What does membership in FeTNA cost?

The membership costs are nominal and is proportional to the member Sangam's membership strength. For example, membership for a Sangam with 50 to 149 adult members is $100 per year. More detailed schedule is available.

How is the interest of the Local Tamil Sangam represented at FeTNA?

Member Sangams appoint delegates to the board of FeTNA, which is the governing body of FeTNA. The number is proportional to membership. The interest of the Sangams is represented through the governing body.