Major Surenthi Stood for Tamileelam his last breath in Germany
Major Surenthi Stood for Tamileelam his last breath in Germany – 07.08.1956 – 18.10.1991
Stood for Tamileelam his last breath in Germany. Stands out in the history of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and became maveeran in the efforts to reclaim the land of Tamileelam.
His past sacrifices and relentless activities are remembered by receiving the Major award from the National Leader of Tamil Eelam. This hero, affectionately called Surenthi by everyone, hides under the pseudonym Nithila, and wrote freedom poems which still inspire and guide the new younger generation.
He was born on the 7th August in 1956 in the village of Eechamottai in Jaffna. He was the youngest son of Namasivayam and Vijayalakshmi. He studied at Parivan College in Chundukuli. He was involved in cultural activities and was involved in writing stories, articles, poems and technology in his youth. His works were broadcast on the Sri Lankan Radio program “Music and Story”. He started his political career by supporting Sivakumaran’s liberation policy. Even when he left Tamileelam in 1978 and came to Germany under the pressure of his parents and relatives, he acted in a manner that opposed the oppressive methods of the Sinhala-communist government. He was pained to see the Tamileelam people living in isolation in many parts of Germany without any thought for the future. He considered the united service of the Tamil people to be the need of the day.
He started his work in the city of Komerschbach, where he lived in Germany. In 1983, he was appointed as the city representative of the German branch of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. His selfless and active activities soon made him the state in-charge. Surenthi´s correct policy explanation and friendly approach helped him to identify the LTTE’s organization from the various groups operating at that time.
Due to the knowledge of light and sound technology that he had already learned, he had already purchased and collected many valuable technological equipment. These were all his most cherished and valuable possessions. In 1984, during a critical period of the movement, he sold all those possessions and donated the entire amount to the national liberation fund. This act was also a great contribution for Germany at that time. The reason he gave for that act of dedicating all his possessions was, ‘I have joined You, my possessions are different, the Tigers’ possessions are no different’. During this conversation, the maveeran Lt. Col. Sara was also present.
During his time as the state in-charge, he introduced many artists with a sense of freedom to the organization, who worked with new thinking and active activities. When the art and culture section was formed, Surendra Kumar was made the in-charge. The period during which he served as the in-charge of the culture section of the Germany Branch, can be said to be a golden age when many new works of art emerged. New artists with interests in all fields were integrated. The ‘Tamileelam’ music group was formed by the union of musicians. The innovation of Tamil musicians playing the liberation anthem began. Bharatham, which created devotion, created a revolution by expressing the thirst for freedom. Through this, he conducted artistic performances in Germany with a sense of liberation. The sense of liberation grew, and a large amount of money was also collected.
In March 1986, during the operation carried out by the German government against the LTTE, all the activists were arrested, and he was later released. When all the important people were in prison, and the people were afraid of the strict actions of the German government, the work he did by taking charge of the German branch of the organization was amazing. The efforts he made to remove the fear that was instilled in the Tamil people living in Germany, to improve the activities of the organization, and to establish contacts with all cities are beyond words. The fact that the German-speaking movement was brought into order in six months is a testament to his administrative ability. Many new youths were recruited into the administrative department, the propaganda was spread, and the state-wide telephone service was introduced, all during his occupation. The official magazine of the German branch of the LTTE, ‘Tamileelam News’, was published through his hard work. In those days when computers were not common, his great effort along with his artistic talent shaped the format and content of this magazine. It was the only magazine that published the Tamileelam position for the benefit of the people. This magazine proved that Surenthi was a great journalist.
Surenthi has composed many beautiful songs full of imagination. He is a revolutionary poet who wrote many heroic songs promoting freedom under the name Nithila and gave them to the Tamil world. His songs, which still stand today and highlight freedom, are unforgettable. It can be said that the service and hard work he rendered until his last breath on 18-10-1991 were a great force for the development of the German branch of our organization.
His father wrote a letter to him, saying, “My son, the service you are doing is welcome.” Surenthi, who was very happy to read it and was full of affection for his father, considered it as a worship for the recovery of his father’s soul to pay more attention to the work during his father’s death. Surenthi, who had joined the organization and wanted to join the Tamileelam liberation war in 1983 and had completed his training, was asked by the organization to work in Germany. Considering it necessary to remove the illusion that had arisen among the Tamileelam people living in Germany.
He is a symbolic poet who naturally throws out symbolic metaphors and creates a poetic form. In the song ‘Adivanam Kadalode Uravaduma – Emai Aliparin Inamtan Eiderumaa’, he is branded as a symbolic poet. He has written a poem in a poetic style, mentioning the sea naval and the importance of it. Today, we have sea team who understand the waves and protect the land. He has sung that bravery before the sea team appeared on the land. Today, the poems and songs he sowed have become the seeds of liberation in the minds of many.
His song ”Nithi vendum tamil mannmeedka – puthu vithi seyum pulippadai tham karam onga!” – has captivated the hearts of the people and increased their participation in our art programs that have been accepted by Germany. It is a testament to the power of his poetry.
Whenever he was questioned about his life, his answer was ‘Everything is in Tamileelam’. He used to say, ‘If I go to another country, it will be Tamileelam’. When he traveled to Switzerland on a call from above, he met his death in an accident along with other colleagues of the organization before crossing the German border. It seems that the word of this man of truth, the abode of truth, has been fulfilled to the end.
Major Surendra Kumar is a genius who does not want fame, does not accept pomp and shows, and lives independent from praise. Major Surendra Kumar is an excellent planner who can sit in a corner and complete every action plan without any fear. Major Surendra Kumar was a man of few words and full of action, a trait unique to the LTTE. His life, as a creator, an inspiration, and an example, remains alive for us who have lost him.
(Translation by Tamilpriya)
