Zaheer Darbar – Entertainment Editor
The Australian Tamil Literary and Art Society (ATLAS) recently honored Nithi Kanagaratnam, a renowned Sri Lankan Tamil pop singer and distinguished academic, for his multifaceted contributions to Tamil music, literature, and academia. Born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, and now residing in Melbourne, Nithi has long served as a cultural bridge between Sri Lanka and the Tamil diaspora in Australia.
In addition to his career as a pop singer, Nithi is a resource person at the Faculty of Siddha Medicine at the University of Jaffna, where he plays a pivotal role in integrating traditional medical knowledge with modern education. His academic journey is equally impressive—he is the former Dean and Head of Agronomy and Animal Sciences at Eastern University, Sri Lanka, and a former Lecturer in Pharmaceutics at the School of. Biomedical Sciences at Victoria University (VU) in Australia.
Before moving to academia abroad, he served as a Plant Pathologist and Research Officer in Charge, functioning as the deemed Deputy Director of Research at the Sri Lankan Department of Agriculture. His educational background spans prestigious institutions including the Allahabad Agricultural Institute-Deemed University, Jaffna Central College.
The recognition was part of the Australian Tamil Literary and Art Society’s broader mission to celebrate and promote Tamil culture and arts in Australia. Established in 2001 in Melbourne, the Society serves as a unifying platform for Tamil writers, artists, dancers, and stage performers across the nation.
Guided by its motto, “To share what you know and learn the unknown,” the Society organizes annual Writer’s Festivals, both in-person and online, that bring together Tamil creatives from across Australian states. These festivals are instrumental in fostering dialogue, creativity, and community spirit.
Since 2024, the Society has also published a literary magazine titled Boomerang, showcasing the talent and diversity of Tamil voices in Australia. In addition to publishing, it also awards annual cash prizes to Sri Lankan writers for their excellence in short stories, novels, essays, and poetry.
Funded by member subscriptions, community donations, and local council grants, the Society remains deeply committed to serving the Tamil-speaking community and preserving its cultural heritage in a multicultural Australian landscape.
Nithi Kanagaratnam’s recognition underscores the powerful intersection of culture, scholarship, and creativity, and serves as a testament to the global impact of the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora.
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