Regent Park Tamil Cultural Association was formed around 1996 to promote intra Tamil

Tamil people

Tamil people , also called Tamils or Tamilians, are an ethnic group native to Tamil Nadu, India and the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka. Historic and post 15th century emigrant communities are also found across the world, notably Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Canada,...

 cultural and community development, and inter cultural exchange by the Tamil community in Regent Park

Regent Park

Regent Park is a neighbourhood located in Old Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Regent Park is Canada's oldest and largest social housing project; built in the late 1940s. Formerly the centre of the Cabbagetown neighbourhood, it is bounded by Gerrard Street East to the north, River Street to the east,...

. The original name of the organization in Tamil

Tamil language

Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...

 was Regent Park Valamathi Sangam , 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.

Pioneering Tamil Diaspora Organization Model

The Canadian Tamil diaspora

Tamil diaspora

The Tamil diaspora is a demographic group of Tamil people of Indian or Sri Lankan origin who have settled in other parts of the world. Significant Tamil diaspora populations can be found in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Middle East, Réunion, South Africa, Mauritius, Seychelles, Fiji, Guyana,...

 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 itself 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

Caste

Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...

, religion

Religion

Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...

, place of Sri Lankan origin, and political affiliation in its organizing principals and activities.

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.

RPTCA Projects

RPTCA is considering the feasibility of establishing an open concept

Openconcept

Openconcept is a term generally used to describe a type of architecture which provides a lot of flexible space. There are a few general spaces that are defined using open-concept, see restroom, stairway and changeroom....

library, focusing on Tamil medium books, newspapers, and movies etc.