Santhosh Narayanan‘s Jaffna concert ft Tamil Diaspora Artists

South Indian music composer Santhosh Narayanan, famed for his work in the Tamil film industry, has announced his first ever Jaffna concert.

He’s bringing along a few Tamil independent artists for the journey. Many of whom, will be visiting their ancestral homeland for the very first time.

Jaffna, also known as Yalpanam (named after the ancient harp like instrument known as the Yaal), is the capital city located in the northern province of Sri Lanka. The region has been the centre of Tamil culture on the island for several millennia.

It’s safe to say that a large percentage of independent artists in the Tamil diaspora will have family ties to Jaffna and the north-east provinces of the island – known to many as Tamil Eelam.

Titled “Sounds of the South: Yaazh Gaanam”, the free, open-air concert, takes place on Saturday 30th September at the Muttraveli Grounds. The concert has been brought to fruition through the support of British entrepreneur of Sri Lanka Tamil origin, Subaskaran Allirajah, founder of Lycatel and Lyca productions.

So far, the concert line-up includes many from the Tamil hip hop fraternity. From Europe, Mc Sai, Ratty Adhiththan and Tha Mystro have announced that they will be performing. Representing Canada is music producer Yanchan, and rapper Shan Vincent De Paul aka SVDP, who released an album titled “Made in Jaffna.” From across the palk strait, and to be officially confirmed, are South Indian artists – Anthony Daasan (Tamil folk), music producer Ofroo, rapper’s Arivu (The Casteless Collective) & Asal Kolaar.

It’s rumored that female artist ‘Navz 47’ will be announced soon. It’s also safe to say that Sri Lanka born, ‘Enjoy Enjaami’ & ‘Rowdy Baby’ singer Dhee, will also be performing at her step-father’s debut Jaffna concert.

The question on everyone’s lips, “Will any local Tamil artists (Sri Lanka based) be performing?”