Welcome to our Season 2 Finale! *crying face emoji*
We can't believe we're already closing out season 2 of the AOT Podcast!
We can't thank each and every one of you enough for allowing us to bring this podcast to you. We pour so much of our hearts into this podcast and it is truly touching to see the support from all of you who tune in, engage with our content and share. We see you all! <3
We can't wait to bring you even more episodes in the future.
Ungal AOT hosts,
Thanusha & Nishani
xox
******
In our Dating Part 1 episode (S2E2) we covered the nostalgia of dating speaking on our experiences when we were growing up, so if you've not yet seen it be sure to check it out!
For this episode, we wanted to dig a little deeper into a few topics that we felt might present themselves in our relationships (romantic or otherwise) as Tamils raised in the western world.
We are positive there is scope to talk more on all of this and cover topics we've not yet touched on in greater depth, but we thought we'd get started with this episode using some real life examples of relationship issues that we share some of our insights on. Some of which stem from our childhood, how self awareness and the responsibility of how we manage our own triggers and cues can impact those around us and we also shed some light issues relating to intimacy which all together is not something we discuss enough or have been given space to speak about openly.
Finally, we reflect on our parents and their relationships, the relationships we watched growing up and take a moment to recognise their journeys' and what we can appreciate from their generation.
Please join us for our season 2 finale, Dating; a deep dive
Ungal,
Thanusha & Nishani
Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction
3:20 - How our parents might see the current dating scene
5:55 - Emotional intelligence
9:42 - Working on yourself
13:05 - An introduction to the deep dive
14:22 - Self Love & Attachment Styles
20:59 - What standing up for yourself is like
25:34 - Childhood trauma & Self-awareness
40:46 - Your love languages and taking responsibility of identifying your fight languages
45:00 - Intimacy and the mental load
58:51 - Holding space to acknowledge our parent's journeys'
Resources:
https://linktr.ee/theasianothertamilpodcast
https://open.spotify.com/album/55TDXJOZ3IoORgOhn1puDF
Find us:
Instagram: @theasianothertamilpodcast
TikTok: @asianothertamilpodcast
The arts have been used as a mode of communication amongst humans for centuries. In season 1, Nishani and Thanusha mention that Villupaatu was used in the past to spread news and propaganda across the land. Using this as a basis we further expand on the arts in Tamil culture. We speak on classical forms of art we are familiar with and forms of folk art that are practised today and we may have come across in cinema without having a full appreciation of the art form and the forms of art that we have lost over the years.
Please join us for season 2 episode 3 - Kalai: the arts.
Ungal,
Nishani & Thanusha
0:00 - Introduction
2:08 - Carnatic Music 6:40 - Entry to Aattams (dance)
11:55 - Silambattam
17:35 - Manmadhan story
19:22 - Puli Aattam
22:10 - Bommal Aattam
23:43 - Karakaattam
26:20 - Kummi
28:10 - Eelam Tamils & Carnatic music
29:54 - Oppaari and its significance
34.12 - Amba Paadalgal/Songs
37:14 - Parai Melam & Yaazh
42:08 - Koothu varieties
47.13 - Preserving the dying art forms in the Tamil diaspora
Resources:
https://linktr.ee/theasianothertamilpodcast
https://open.spotify.com/album/55TDXJOZ3IoORgOhn1puDF
Find us:
Instagram: @theasianothertamilpodcast
TikTok: @asianothertamilpodcast
Whilst filming our first episode we noticed a strong theme around love that was present in many Sangam literature texts and felt it appropriate to film an episode dedicated to our experiences with love.
In this episode we focus on what dating was like for us growing up in the Tamil diaspora, the contrast of what love may have looked like to our parents and what we are learning through our experiences.
We know you all love a juicy episode, so you know what to do, grab a snack and join us!
This is Kathal; a secret union.
Ungal, Thanusha & Nishani
Resources: https://linktr.ee/theasianothertamilpodcasthttps://open.spotify.com/album/55TDXJOZ3IoORgOhn1puDF
Find us:Instagram: @theasianothertamilpodcast TikTok: @asianothertamilpodcast
Firstly, a massive massive thank you to each and every one of you who supports us, encourages us and have patiently been awaiting Season 2. We do this for all of you and are so exciting to bring you new episodes. So, without further ado.
Vanakkam, Welcome to Season 2 of the Asian Other... Tamil podcast!
We are kicking off our first episode of the season, deep diving into our rich history. Come with us on a journey through time, back to 300 BC, to the age of the Cholas, the Cheras and the Pandya kingdoms. We explore how texts from the Sangam age showcased how society operated (Akam and Puram texts) and how relatable they can still be to our day to day lives as Tamils living in the 21st Century. Through our research for this episode, what we discovered was a society with some outlooks that were well ahead of its time and aimed to hold inclusive spaces and platforms for the arts to flourish.
Come along with us as we seek to scratch the mere surface of our extensive history. Maybe it’ll even uncover the history bug in you?
This is episode one, Tamilakam; the history you wish you knew.
Ungal,
Nishani & Thanusha Timestamps:
2:25 - A millennia of Tamils
6:06 - The Sangams and the preservation of our texts written on palm leaves
10:40 - Kumari Kandam
13.06 - Exploring the themes in Akam and Puram texts
16:00 - Love is Love is Love
17.48 - Ainthinai, Kaikilai & Perunthinai
20:15 - How Tamil cinema took inspiration
25:35 - Where the word “Kalli” comes from
28.10 - Breakdown of Pathinenkilkanakku
35:00 - References of Saivism, Jainism and Buddhism in Sangam texts/epics
36.55 - Murugan in Sangam literature
47:30 - How we continue to honour the Sangam age, today
Resources:
https://linktr.ee/theasianothertamilpodcast
https://open.spotify.com/album/55TDXJOZ3IoORgOhn1puDF Find us: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAOTpodcast Instagram: @theasianothertamilpodcast TikTok: @asianothertamilpodcast
We can’t believe we’re here; our Season 1 Finale! What a journey it has been. What started out as an idea has brought us to this very moment. I don’t think either of us imagined we’d be hosts of our own podcast. It has been a real labour of love over the last year that we have been working behind the scenes and since we went live in May.
Please join us for the last time this year, for a candid episode where we both share with you key moments in our lives that have shaped us. We get personal, it gets emotional and it's an hour of pure feel good vibes.
Before we wrap up we wanted to take a moment to thank YOU, our viewers, listeners and supporters. We are so thankful for your endless support since we brought you the podcast and it is because of you that we continue to follow this passion to bring you meaningful content again and again so that we can create a space for Tamils to feel connected and you are all such a huge part of this journey with us. Massive shout outs to all the support from our friends and family cheering us on behind the scenes, believing in us and being there as a helping hand always. We are so blessed to have you in our corner.
On that note grab a drink and a snack, sit back and enjoy as we bring you our 5th and final episode of Season 1, The Things That Shaped Us.
We will see you next year for Season 2 of The Asian Other Tamil podcast!!
Ungal,
Thanusha & Nishani, signing out.
Timestamps:
01:54 - Part 1 - a nonconventional childhood
06:19 - Part 2 - I’m just a teenage (Tamil) dirtbag baby
09:54 - Part 3 - The journey of embracing our roots
12:58 - Introduction to Part 4
13:26 - Part 4 - Having pets in the Tamil community
19:42 - Part 5 - Losing a parent in your twenties
29:07 - Part 6 - The power of female friendships
38:16 - Part 7 - The ebb and flow of feminism and resilience
Find us:
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAOTpodcast
Instagram: @theasianothertamilpodcast
TikTok: @asianothertamilpodcast
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode will explore some themes that viewers may find distressing.
The Tamil cinema industry’s equivalent to Hollywood is …“Kollywood”. And in today's episode we will be taking you on a trip to Kodambakkam, Chennai; the birthplace of Tamil Cinema.
Our episode today is split into two halves and is separated by an intermission; just like a Tamil film. In the first half we share some of our favourite Tamil movie moments and how they may or may not have influenced our lives growing up.. we ask one another our most memorable villains, family castings and storylines.
The plot thickens in the second half where we deep dive into areas, we feel, the Tamil cinema industry could do better. To name a few; we touch on the long lasting impacts of colourism, casteism and the disparity in how female Tamil actors are cast. Acknowledging the good with the bad, we go on to talk about how storylines are evolving and how the space being held for hard hitting plots versus the commercial hits are ever changing. Please join us as we share some insights into our thoughts on Tamil cinema, where of course, you’ll be also hearing from our AOT focus groups.
As always we’d love to hear from you, so please let us know where you think we can do better as a film industry and where we’re making strides. Leave us a comment or drop us a DM and we’ll share it on our social media to keep the conversation going! Grab yourself some popcorn and tune into the AOT Podcast’s second episode…Made in Kollywood!
Ungal,
Nishani & Thanusha
Timestamps:
0.00 Intro
02.39 Actor entrances & Mass movies
07.59 Comedians
14.25 Villains
24.24 The best storylines and strong female leads
34.33 Atypical romancing in Tamil movies
39.58 The evolution of Tamil movies (female leads, taboo topics, discussing homophobia/ transphobia)
45.07 Devolution of Tamil cinema
50.48 Directors with unique ways of storytelling
56.36 Appreciating cinematography
01.06.00 Tamil movie music
Resources:
https://www.ttff.ca/screenings-schedule-2022/
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/sillu-karuppatti-wins-award-at-toronto-tamil-film-fest/articleshow/78002872.cms
Find us: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAOTpodcast
Instagram: @theasianothertamilpodcast
TikTok: @asianothertamilpodcast
POV: You’re a Tamil kid and an adult says “Oru Functionukku Porom, Velikkiddu” In today's episode, we take you on a journey down memory lane; talking about all the Tamil events that take place in a person’s life and how this impacted us growing up. You will also hear from our AOT Focus Groups as they divulge their very interesting takes on some of these Tamil functions. Our episode will touch on all our childhood events, after which we’ll move onto our more adolescent experiences, finally wrapping up in adulthood. Most importantly, we’ll discuss how traditions are being modified in this day and age, and we’ll also delve into some of the emotional sentiments behind certain rituals. This episode is going to have quite the range, as we cover a baby's 31st Mottai Valikkura ceremony to Aruvatham Kalyanams in Jamaica (one can dream!). You are going to be in for one helluva journey! Growing up as a Tamil diaspora kid, these events were a right of passage, and what's most beautiful about these collated experiences are that they ensure we remain connected to our Tamil roots, cultural practices and traditions. With that said, grab yourself some shorteats, (or a kolukattai) and enjoy the very first episode of the Asian Other..Tamil Podcast! Ungal AOT Podcast Hosts, Nishani & Thanusha Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 1:15 After birth rituals 4:13 Pallu Kolukattai ceremony 9:57 Tamil Hall Parties 17:59 Tamil School, Thirukkural and Villupaatu 25:41 TSSA (Tamil sports days) 27:47 Samathiyaveedu shenanigans 39:10 Tamil extra-curricular activities & Arangetrams 45:40 Kalyanam and the breakfast bar glow up 56:26 Coming full circle and New Beginnings 1:04:46 Outro Resources: http://moderndaybrownmom.com/2020/07/09/the-hindu-31st-ceremony-a-celebration-of-birth/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4OA192-3-w&t=578s https://tamilculture.com/coming-of-age https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2018/06/rethink-the-way-you-celebrate-the-transition-into-womanhood/ https://stories.my/blog/2011/01/21/ponn-urukku-a-sri-lankan-gold-melting-ceremony/ https://www.khushmag.com/categories/features/features/khush-guide-to-a-tamil-wedding/3224#:~:text=In%20a%20Tamil%20wedding%2C%20the,the%20home%20of%20the%20bride. https://richardarunachala.wordpress.com/2012/01/13/rites-of-passage-for-the-tamils-of-south-india/ Find us: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAOTpodcast Instagram: @theasianothertamilpodcast TikTok: @asianothertamilpodcast
