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Workshop and Speaking

Interactive workshops and talks exploring identity and Tamil heritage designed for dialogue and discovery

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Meet Kasthuree

Kasthuree Thiyakalingam is a researcher, educator, and content creator based in Toronto, Canada, whose work explores Tamil heritage through texts, oral traditions, and lived practices.

 

Understanding that colonialism, war, and genocide left Tamils with cultural disempowerment and fragmented narratives, Kasthuree’s work seeks to rediscover and reconnect the foundational principles and philosophies of Tamil heritage to modern Tamil culture in a way that is both culturally grounded and accessible.

 

She leads workshops, a Tamil literature study group, beginner Tamil courses, online community calls, and a monthly newsletter, Tamil Reflections. Through these initiatives and her storytelling work online, she creates inclusive spaces where global Tamils can engage with their heritage, foster community, and explore traditions through self-discovery and dialogue.

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Workshops and Collaborations: McMaster Tamil Students Association (Canada), Tamil Institute for Leadership Excellence (UK), Arivakam Tamil Cultural Academy (Canada), Edmonton Tamil Cultural Association (Canada), South Asian Cultural Revitalization Program (Canada)

 

Interviews: 102.7 East FM (Canada), Tamil Murasam’s Illangatru (Norway), Tamil Murasam’s Tamile Vanakkam (Norway)

 

Grants and Recognition: The Didi Creative Fund in partnership with Didihood, Tamil Women Rising, and the South Asian and Tamil Women’s Collective

Workshops and Talks

Talks and workshops explore Tamil heritage as a living, evolving system of knowledge, shaped by language, literature, philosophy, migration, and everyday practice. Each session is grounded in research, storytelling, and reflective dialogue, and can be adapted for classrooms, community spaces, conferences, or professional settings.

 

Topics May Include:​​

  • What Is Tamil Heritage? Foundational principles, philosophies, and worldviews

  • Tamil Language as Identity, Memory, and Knowledge

  • Classical Texts, Oral Traditions, and Lived Experience

  • Navigating Dual Identities in the Diaspora

  • Unlearning Colonial and Inherited Narratives

  • Cultural Disconnection, Shame, and Healing

  • Self-Exploration Through Cultural Roots

  • Creating Meaningful Space for Cultural Connection

 

Workshop Topics can be customized to suit your needs. ​

Let's discuss whether my workshops would be a good fit for your group or event. 

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  Available for Travel 

Thuyavan and Withuran, Radio Hosts

Ilangkatru, Tamil Murasam Radio (Norway)

We have had the pleasure of featuring Kasthuree from What You Missed In Tamil Class multiple times on our radio channel Ilangkatru, through the segment "Tamile vanakkam" since 2024. The topics discussed have been highly relevant, covering historical events, language and cultural traditions. We strongly believe that the information she has shared is useful and meaningful for the Tamil community, especially as it helps bridge generational gaps and makes complex subjects accessible even to listeners without prior in depth knowledge.

Our experience working with Kasthuree as a person has also been extremely positive. She is professional, reliable, and easy to collaborate with, while also being open, respectful, and approachable. She interacts with both the radio team and listeners with genuine enthusiasm and humility. Overall, her contributions to «Tamile Vanakkam» have been a great asset to Ilangkatru and a valuable resource for the Tamil community! 

Community Feedback 
Read how my work has impacted Tamils across the globe

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