Busan, South Korea: In the beautiful coastal city of Busan, South Korea, where the mountains descend gracefully to meet the sea, the vibrant Busan Global Gathering 2024 unfolded on May 18, 2024, at the Busan Cinematic Center, Dureraum Square, Busan. This international event drew participants from over 30 countries, transforming the cinema center into an energetic showcase of global cultures.More than 50 stalls were set up, each highlighting a unique aspect of various cultures, including food, art, and more. The air was filled with the tantalizing aromas of exotic foods, enticing visitors to sample dishes from far-flung lands. The event truly came alive with a myriad of performances as musicians, dancers, and artists shared their traditions. This dynamic display turned the venue into a grand tapestry of global harmony and cultural celebration, embodying the spirit of unity in diversity.
Among the stalls at the Busan Global Gathering Festival 2024, the Korea Tamil Sangam (KTS), aregistered NGO in South Korea, stood out, serving hot dosas, biriyani, rose milk, and tea to attract the attention of visitors. Ms. Laxmi Priya, a coordinator, engaged with curious visitors, explaining the beloved Tamil dish dosa, a staple in Tamil Nadu, India. A Korean native was quick enough to notice the similarities between dosa and jeon, a rice pancake similar dosa made with rice batter, spring onions, shrimps, and kimchi. Stall managers Dr. Muthusamy, Dr. Saran Govi, and Mr. Vibin Muthusamy were busy serving dosa, biriyani, tea, chicken rolls, chicken 65, rose milk, and badam milk. Coordinators Mr. Sampathkumar Jeevanandham, Mr.Bharathi Arumugam, Dr.ShivakumarArumugasamy and ex-president of KTS, Dr.Ramasundaram were busy enaging with the diverse crowd in front of the stall.
The food received an enthusiastic reception from Koreans and other nationalities alike. Although some visitors were initially hesitant due to the spice levels, they were quickly won over by the authentic and flavorful taste. Indian families were especially delighted to find their favorite dishes, eagerly purchasing food for their families and children, adding a comforting taste of home to the international gathering. The popularity of the food stall underscored the universal appeal of Tamil cuisine, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who sampled it.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Dr. Selestin Raja and Mr. Santosh Senguttuvan was managing a captivating stall filled with Thanjavur dolls, handmade flowerpots, Indian books, cosmetics, and incense, drawing in curious visitors with the allure of Tamil artistry and culture. Crowds gathered at the KTS mehndi booth, where Ms. Keerthana, Ms.Abarna and Dr.Srimathi Raghavan, skillfully adorned their hands with intricate mehndi designs.
Dr. Aravindha Raja, President of Korea Tamil Sangam, said that 'This land is not new to the Tamils. From the Tamil kingdom of Ay, a thousand years ago, a princess named Sembavalam traveled two thousand miles to marry a Korean prince. Similarities in language, food and culture exist even today, with over 1000 similar words between Tamil and Korean. This event gives us an opportunity to further showcase our culture to Koreans and other nationalities. Our upcoming agreement with the Gaya Buddhist community will further strengthen these ties'.
While KTS showcased Tamil food and culture in the food stalls, the KTS arts and cultural team represented the glory of Tamil Nadu on the main stage. The performance highlighted the five thinais of the ancient country: Kurinji, Mullai, Marudham, Neithal, and Palai. The performance began with one of Tamil Nadu's classical dances, Bharathanatyam, choreographed by Ms. ThusnaRaviselvan. This was followed by various Tamil performing arts: Karagattam, performed with handmade karagamsby Ms. Padma Priya, Ms. ThusnaRaviselvan, Mr. Selva Prakash Rukesh Kumar, Ms. Aafrin Rukshana, and Ms. Padmalatha MuthuKrishnan Akshaiya; Oyyilattam, choreographed by Ms. Priya Ranganathan; and Silambattam, performed by Mr. Selva Prakash Rukesh Kumar and Mr. Gopala Krishnan, representing Mullai, Marutham, and Palai. Mr. Thippan Manigandan choreographed a graceful Badugadance, a traditional dance form of the Kurinji region. To represent the culture of the fishermen community, Ms. Priya Ranganathan created an energetic choreography showcasing the Neithalculture. The performance concluded with the entire team showcasing all the different dance forms, including Silambattam, in a single song. It was indeed a surreal moment to witness Tamil art and culture being represented in front of a huge audience from all over the world.
Several other dance teams from Asia, Europe, America, and Africa also showcased their cultures with their captivating performances. The event ended with a magnificent group performance from all the countries, along with the KTS dance team.
As the sun set over Busan, the atmosphere was filled with a sense of accomplishment and joy. The Busan Global Gathering 2024 was a testament to the power of cultural exchange, bridging gaps, and fostering mutual understanding among diverse communities. The Korea Tamil Sangam's remarkable contribution highlighted the timeless bonds and shared heritage between Tamil and Korean cultures, paving the way for even deeper connections in the future.
Thanking note: Thanks to Dr. Mahendran Dr. Venkadesan, and Mr. Sharun for helping with setting up the stalls and for supporting the food preparation. Thanks to Dr. Jerome, Dr. Atchuthan for helping with biriyani preparation, Ms. Priya Periyaswamy and Mrs Abarna Ravichandran for preparing the dosa batter, Dr Thusara Jaffer for preparing chicken rolls and gravy and Dr Shanmugam Family prepared the Sambhar. Written by: Mr. Vibin Muthusamy, Coordinator, Korea Tamil Sangam.
- Our Overseas Reporter Dr.Mei.Chitra