Virtual Tamil Fest 2020 Creates an Online Sensation During COVID-19

The Sixth Annual Tamil Fest was celebrated virtually this year on August 29th and 30, 2020. This two-day event featured live performances from popular local and international Tamil artists. The free event was streamed live on multiple platforms including YouTube Live, Facebook Live and ATN TV channel. The event was viewed by tens of thousands of people around the world and provided an opportunity for numbers of Canadian artists to showcase their talents internationally.

This year’s Tamil Fest featured playback singers Mano and Haricharan from India and popular singers Jeyanthan Kanthappu and Piratha Kanthappu from Sri Lanka. North America’s popular Tamil bands Mega Tuners and Agni performed one day each with several Canadian singers including Super singers Jessica Judes and Sinmaye. The event also featured Sruthi Balamurali’s instrumental music, comedy performance from the duo Aadavan and Sandya, dance performances by students of Niro Dance Creations, Shilompoli Shethra Dance Academy and Prima Dance School. World renowned speakers Kambavarathi Ilangkai Jeyaraj and Rev. Gaspar Raj also delivered speeches.

Tamil Fest 2020 also supported two key initiatives this year paramount to the Tamil Canadian Community, namely the Toronto Tamil Chair initiative at the University of Toronto and re-settlement support projects in war affected Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka.

The Tamil Fest 2020 opening ceremony kicked off the event on the morning of August 29th at the ATN studio premises with welcome address by the Canadian Tamil Congress, President Sivan Ilangko and appearances from some local elected officials including Minister Mary Ng, MPP Logan Kanapathi, Toronto Councillor Cynthia Lai, Toronto Councillor Jennifer McKelvie and Chair for the York Regional District School Board, Juanita Nathan. Toronto Mayor John Tory provided video greetings.

Tamil Fest was one of the firsts events to reflect the new way of hosting events that celebrate arts and culture in the COVID-19 environment.

Media Contact:
Prashanth Srichradramohan
Festival Manager, Tamil Fest.
tamilfest@canadiantamilcongress.ca
647-675-3150.