Regent Park Tamil Cultural Association

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Puungkaavanam

Regent Park Tamil Cultural Association was formed around 1996 to promote intra Tamil cultural and community development, and inter cultural exchange by the Tamil community in Regent Park. The original name of the organization in Tamil was Regent Park Valamathi Sangam (Tamil: ரீஜன்ட் பார்க் வளர்மதி சங்கம்), which was later changed to Regent Park Tamil Cultural Association (Tamil: ரீஜன்ட் பார்க் தமிழ் கலாச்சார சங்கம்). The association has evolved to serve diverse needs of the Tamil community in Regent Park.

The annual cultural show RPTCA organizes is one of its important services. The show titled Puungkaavanam (Tamil: பூங்காவனம்) is a celebration of Tamil culture as well as a platform for young artists to perform, and to receive recognition. In addition RPTCA organizes an annual Tamil community sports meet.

Physically, RPTCA is located at Parliament and Gerrard building basement, where various Tamil cultural fine arts and language classes are offered regularly. It also acts as a meeting space for the Tamil community in Regent Park.

[edit] Pioneering Tamil Diaspora Organization Model

The Canadian Tamil diaspora communities have traditionally organized along the following alignments:

towns of origins in Sri Lanka
old school associations
professions
political affiliations
fan clubs

In contrast, RPTCA has organized it self on the basis of immediate physical or geographical community. "Where we live is home" is one of its guiding quotes. No other Tamil community organization in Canada has organized along where they live. Also, RPTCA has taken a highly active role in the Regent Park community affirs. It is highly active culturally, socially, economically, and politically.

The RPTCA strives to overcome multiple dividing factors within Tamils such as caste, religion, place of Sri Lankan origin, and political affiliation in its organizing principals and activities.

[edit] Governance Structure

The leadership and membership are volunteer driven. The leadership is rotating, and elected openly at the Sports Meet. However, the structure of the organization is still very informal and lacks a clear constitution.