Since its formation in 2001 the Tamil Literary Garden, a registered charity, has been committed to the promotion of studies and literary activities in Tamil both nationally, in Canada, and internationally.

This mandate is carried out through the promotion of creative writing, translations, book releases, awards, conferences, and workshops. The organization’s annual marquee event is the Tamil Literary Garden Awards – which celebrates preeminent contributions to Tamil literature each year from around the world.

The TLG recently announced its 2018 essay contest, inviting high school and undergraduate students to submit an essay about “Social Media and the Making of Tamil Identities”. The topic was chosen in recognition of the role of social media in the representation of Tamil identities, and how Tamils make sense of their presence through social media. Participants are encouraged to explore the complexities of being a Tamil in the digital space within their essays.

For the purposes of this competition, Tamil is defined as an ethnic identity and submissions may address forms of expression in languages other than Tamil as well.

Participants’ essays should not exceed 1200 words and must be submitted on or before April 15th, 2018 to amuttu@gmail.com.

The contest is open to participants around the world. The winner will receive a certificate and $1000 at the Tamil Literary Garden awards ceremony in Toronto in June.