Lt. Col. Thavam
Lt. Col. Thavam
Born: 08.04.1966
Died 17. 02. 2008
That occasion brought video shop owners and people all over Vanni closer to Thavam. There were no video shop owners who did not know Thavam. That relationship became so strong that there were no photo shop owners who did not know Thavam. There were no towns that Thavam did not know. There were no people who did not know him.
“A Day in the Forest” was a film that showed the stories of the wildlife of a few hundred fighters. Thavam was the one who shot this. It was during this time that Thavam found a wonderful singer through a video tape at the Ottusuttan temple festival.
He immediately Puthuvai that he had a singer who was suitable for him. As soon as the Indian forces left, Chandran and Thavam went to contact the singer and connected him with the Art and Culture Association. It was Thavam who introduced him to the Tamil people as the singer “Shanthan”.
The Indian forces were leaving Tamileelam in defeat and the LTTE were emerging from the jungle. During that period, the Thenisai Chellappa group was coming to Eelam from Tamil Nadu. Many fighters, including Thavam left the Kavin Arts College in Paravipanchan, Kilinochchi with the Thenisai Chellappa group.
The Thenisai Chellappa’s patriotic songs were performed as stage performances in 21 places from Yarlpanam to Amparai. Only a few people including Thavam worked as the background for the stage setting, lighting, shooting, catering, security, etc. Apart from other work, Thavam filled the gaps by pulling everything together, filling those gaps when there were no people. And despite the hard work, Thavam was involved in this liberation journey with enthusiasm.
It was only when Thenisai Chellappa’s performance was held in Thiriya that Thavam´s mother saw Thavam after a long time. Till then, Thavam had not even breathed a sigh of relief that this was his hometown. His journey began with the satisfaction of seeing his mother.
After 1990, the Sinhala army’s insurgency sent Thavam´s relatives out of the village as refugees. From 1990-1991, Thavam was associated with the work of the Arts and Culture Association. At that time, six song audio tapes including “Intha mann engalin sintha mann…”, “Vengaikalin viduthukal vetham…”, “Yaagaraagam…”, and “Neithal…” were released by the Tamilosai Kalaiyagam as Kalaiyagam publications.
Thavam was associated with various works in the production of these song audio tapes. At that time, a ten-day Muthamil Vilala was organized by the Arts and Culture Association. Thavam’s hard work also added strength to its special appeal. From setting up the stage, transporting the artists, public relations, and reception, Thavam was the backbone of all the work. His association with the Arts and Culture Association continued until the launch of the hundredth issue of the magazine “Velicham”. No matter what the task, he never failed to do field shootings. Thavam was the one who shot many of the battles that took place in the 1990s.
Kottai, Mangulam, Kokkavil, etc. were very important. After 1991, Thavam, who reconnected with reality, continued his work as the one in charge of shooting in the Vanni region. There was no camp for Thavam in Vanni, but there were no houses that did not know Thavam. Places that were unknown to even the local fighters were well known to Thavam.
Thavam filmed everything from the uprisings of the people, bombings, training camp shootings of the fighters, taking identity card photos, and games. Over time, he recruited many new fighters to help him and trained them.
It was during his time in Vanni that he became friends with Karumpuli Bork. A rehearsal for the explosive vehicle that Bork was carrying was taking place. Thavam also stood nearby, shooting. Shortly before the time when Bork was about to explode during the attack on the Mangulam camp, he sat with Bork and shared a meal together, ate together, and after he exploded, he made records of the attack, escaped from air strikes, and went on a heroic journey.
The order received that the map of the attack and some important notes should be sent to the headquarters in Yarlpanam that very night to complete the Mangulam battle. Thavam’s friend, who was also standing there, said that he would send it tomorrow morning. He had not slept for three days already. However, Tawa said, “No, no, we have to send it tonight”. So, he rode a motorbike through difficult paths and crossed the sea to Yarlpanam. He completed the task. There was no one like him working tirelessly. He never said no to anyone who asked for anything.
– Erimalai
Compilation, Film Ai Tamilarasan Abdulkadhar
(Translation by Tamilpriya)
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