After a four-year pause brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gauteng Children’s Tamil Eisteddfod made a triumphant return this past weekend, rekindling the cultural flame of Tamil heritage through music, dance, poetry, and performance.
Hosted at the Laudium Tamil Association Hall, the event was organised by the Tamil Federation of Gauteng (TFG) and drew participants and supporters from across the province. A festive spirit filled the air as families, teachers, and youth gathered in anticipation of a long-awaited celebration of Tamil language and culture.
“We are thrilled to bring the Eisteddfod back to the community,” said Mr. Kreasan Moodley, President of the Tamil Federation of Gauteng. “This platform not only nurtures the artistic and linguistic talents of our youth but also reinforces our identity in a diverse and evolving South Africa.”
The Eisteddfod featured a vibrant array of performances, ranging from ranging from the classical art form of Bharatanatyam to Bhajanai, Sacred Songs, Thirupugazh, Folk Dances , Thiruppugazh, Tamil poetry, storytelling, and dramatic interpretations. Participants, including the youngest entrant at just 3 years old, delivered their pieces with passion and precision, often earning standing ovations from the audience.
A particularly moving highlight of the event was the group bhajan performance, featuring around 24 participants. Their powerful voices and heartfelt delivery got the crowd clapping and cheering in unison, creating a profound sense of shared pride and unity.
The overall winning region for this year’s Eisteddfod was the West Region, whose participants stood out for their excellence and depth of cultural expression.
The judging panel was led by the chief adjudicator Mrs. Kogie Moorthi, President of the Kwa-Zulu Natal Tamil Vedic Society Provincial Body (KZNTVSPB), who brought along three additional administrators. This strategic collaboration was initiated by TFG to foster and grow relationships on a national level, ensuring that Gauteng’s standards align with those across the country. This partnership is especially significant as TFG commits to expanding the Eisteddfod next year—not only continuing with both children’s and adult divisions but also participating on a national platform.
“Yes, this is a competition,” said TFG Eisteddfod Officer Maligay Naicker, “however, this year we focused on encouraging participation and awakening cultural pride so that there is an uptake of our Tamil arts, language, and music. We’re here to pass the torch—to ensure that our Iyal, Isai, Nadagam and our stories continue to live in the hearts of the next generation. As TFG, we are here to promote, propagate, and protect our Tamil Culture and Heritage.”
TFG also wishes to extend its deepest respect and gratitude to all those who supported the event—from volunteers and sponsors to affiliates, community leaders, schools within the region—and to the families and communities who came out in full force to cheer on the children and celebrate their cultural journey.
Above all, we offer our heartfelt thanks to the Divine and to Mother Saraswati for blessing us with the opportunity to serve our community. We also give thanks to our past Gurus and community elders for their invaluable guidance, wisdom, and sacrifices—it is on their shoulders that we stand tall today. We remain committed to continuing this sacred work with humility, passion, and dedication—always striving to serve to the best of our ability.
The Gauteng Children’s Tamil Eisteddfod is more than an event; it is a homecoming—a reaffirmation of identity, tradition, and the promise of a vibrant cultural future.
This years Eisteddfod was dedicated to the loving memory of our dearly departed members and stalwarts. Thiru Ravi Thaver, Thiru Shunmugam (Shanu) Sooboo, Thiru Poobalan (Collin) Pillay, Thirumathi Thiroshni Naidoo, Vidwan Shiva Padiachi & Thiru Suren Reddhi.
