A night of Culture, Dance as Tamil Association celebrates 35 years
Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday October 20, 2026 11:09
For me, Kalaivizha 2026 offered such an opportunity, bringing together a spectacular celebration of Tamil heritage at Westwood International School in Gaborone. The evening kicked off with performances showcasing a vibrant mixture of classical, semi-classical and traditional folk art forms. Although the music was in a language unfamiliar to me, I soon found myself tapping my feet to the rhythms and becoming increasingly absorbed in the performances. Even the speeches delivered in Tamil held my attention, reminding me of the power of culture to connect people beyond language barriers.
Through music, dance and other cultural performances, Kalaivizha (art festival) provided a platform for children, young people and adults to showcase their talents, build confidence and strengthen their connection with their cultural roots. The Botswana Tamil Cultural Association (BTCAT) was celebrating 35 years of preserving Tamil heritage and contributing to Botswana’s cultural, social and environmental well-being during the Kalaivizha. BTCAT Through its cultural programmes provides free Tamil Language education. Tamil is a major classical Dravidian language natively spoken by tens of millions of people worldwide. There are also environmental initiatives including Plant a Legacy tree-planting, No Single-use plastics and charitable support. Established in 1991, BTCAT is a community organisation dedicated to preserving and promoting Tamil language, arts and cultural heritage in Botswana.
Beyond cultural preservation, the association extends beyond keeping traditions alive, it involves passing the language, values, art and heritage to younger generations while encouraging them to become active, responsible contributors to the wider society which they live. Beyond the colourful performances and celebration of heritage, Kalaivizha 2026 also carried a strong message of compassion and social responsibility. BTCAT donated P10, 000 each to Jacob Kelebeng Foundation and Botswana Association of the Deaf (BOAD).
Through the contributions, BTCAT supported the two organisations that are working towards education, dignity, inclusion and improved opportunities for vulnerable communities. The donations reflected the association's belief that cultural celebrations can serve a purpose beyond the stage. By supporting organizations working to improve people's lives, BTCAT demonstrated how heritage and community service can go hand in hand. BTCAT president, Arul Murugan Sekaran said for 35 years, the association has brought families together through shared language, culture and traditions. He said even though they remain deeply connected to their Tamil heritage, Botswana is the country they proudly call home.
“We believe that preserving our cultural identity and contributing to the society which we live in go hand in hand. Through Kalaivizha, we hope to pass these values to the next generation, encouraging our children not only to take pride in their heritage but also give back to the community,” Sekaran said. He said as BTCAT marked the milestone in its journey, Kalaivizha represented both a celebration of its heritage and renewed commitment to the future.
Sekaran said by nurturing Tamil language, and traditions, encouraging the talents of younger generations and supporting community initiatives, the trust continued to weave together culture, service and shared responsibility. For an outsider stepping into an unfamiliar cultural setting, Kalaivizha offered a reminder that appreciation of another community's heritage does not require fluency in its language.