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Malay Mail
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
How Darkkey Nagaraja's Sambarock defied odds and inspired a generation, now immortalised in upcoming film ‘Aku Darkkey'
KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 — For decades, the name Darkkey Nagaraja has resonated with Malaysian Tamil music fans, synonymous with a genre he pioneered: Sambarock. Born out of an audacious blend of traditional Tamil rhythms with rock and funk, Sambarock wasn't just a musical innovation—it was a movement. It challenged conventions, united communities, and redefined what local Tamil music could be. But for filmmaker Vicram Lachumanam, Darkkey's story is much more than a tale of musical success—it's a testament to resilience, creativity, and cultural pride, and this is why he wants it to be heard internationally. 'We should not wait till our local talent is celebrated elsewhere; it's time for us to chest thump and say this is from us and this is a story to be told.' Vicram's connection to Darkkey began in his childhood, when he would help the musician sell cassettes during Thaipusam festivals, captivated by the man's relentless drive and unique sound. Today, Vicram channels that admiration into 'Aku Darkkey' ('I Am Darkkey'), the first-ever Malaysian Tamil documentary to chronicle the rise of an independent artist who broke barriers in the 1990s. 'For me, this isn't just a documentary—it's a deeply personal tribute,' Vicram shared. 'Darkkey's story represents the courage to defy norms, the grit to endure setbacks, and the triumph of staying true to one's art. It's a story that deserves to inspire generations.' The Birth of Sambarock Darkkey's greatest legacy lies in his creation of Sambarock, a genre that fused traditional Tamil music with rock and funk influences. At a time when international acts overshadowed Malaysian Tamil music, Darkkey's bold experiment was met with skepticism. Yet, through relentless dedication, he turned this unique sound into a movement, earning him the title 'King of Sambarock.' His band, The Keys, became household names, performing electrifying roadshows and concerts that brought communities together. It was this daring innovation that laid the foundation for a new era in Malaysian Tamil music, inspiring other independent artists and even gaining traction in India's competitive entertainment landscape. Albums like 'Akkamage,' which sold over 700,000 cassette copies, proved that a homegrown sound could resonate across borders. Hits such as 'Maravana' and 'Karatana' further solidified his legacy, with Sambarock becoming a cultural touchstone for Malaysian Tamil identity. Darkkey's global influence was further cemented recently with the inclusion of his track 'Puli Puli' in the Tamil action film 'Good Bad Ugly,' starring Ajith Kumar. Directed by Adhik Ravichandran, the film has received widespread attention for its high-octane action sequences and electrifying soundtrack. The song has captivated audiences in both Malaysia and India, marking the first time a Malaysian Tamil-language track has been prominently featured alongside one of India's biggest film stars. Celebrating a legacy The documentary delves deep into Darkkey's rise during an era where success was measured in cassette sales rather than streaming numbers or social media followers. It paints a vivid picture of an artist who relied on sheer grit and innovation to succeed in an industry dominated by imported sounds. Produced by Poketplay Sdn Bhd, led by Veerasegar Thyagarajan and S. Thiruvarasu, the project is a labour of love, driven by a shared vision to elevate local talent onto a global platform. With plans for theatrical and OTT releases in both Malaysia and India, 'Aku Darkkey' is not just a tribute to a musical icon but a celebration of cultural identity and perseverance. The creative team Adding to its impact is a star-studded creative team. Indian sound designer G. Suren, celebrated for his contributions to films like 'Jailer,' 'Karnan,' and the recent 'Retro,' lends his expertise to craft the film's audio experience. Meanwhile, Malaysian rapper Roshan JamrockRoshan Jamrock collaborates with Ashwath, a music producer acclaimed for his work on films like 'FIR' and 'Inspector Rishi.' Together, Roshan and Ashwath aim to channel the electrifying essence of Sambarock, introducing it to a new generation of listeners. Adding a visual edge to the project is Mango Post, an industry leader known for its cutting-edge work in VFX and DI (Digital Intermediate), ensuring the documentary is as visually striking as its subject matter. Publicity designer Tuney John, celebrated in the Indian film industry (Kollywood) for crafting iconic posters and promotional materials, including for the blockbuster 'Pushpa: The Rise – Part 1,' and 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' brings his creative vision to 'Aku Darkkey,' promising a bold and compelling visual identity. A video glimpse of the documentary was released on June 18 by renowned Indian composer G.V. Prakash, creating excitement among fans and industry insiders alike. The glimpse offered a tantalizing preview of the passion and energy behind 'Aku Darkkey,' sparking anticipation for the full release expected in April next year. 'Darkkey's story is not just his own; it's Malaysia's story,' said Veerasegar. 'It's about daring to dream, embracing our roots, and proving that our local talent deserves to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with international icons.' With 'Aku Darkkey,' Darkkey Nagaraja's legacy is set to reach new heights, ensuring his pioneering spirit continues to inspire for generations to come.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Need answers': Will Sri Lanka's Tamils find war closure under Dissanayake?
Mullivaikkal, Sri Lanka – On a beach in northeastern Sri Lanka, Krishnan Anjan Jeevarani laid out some of her family's favourite food items on a banana leaf. She placed a samosa, lollipops and a large bottle of Pepsi next to flowers and incense sticks in front of a framed photo. Jeevarani was one of thousands of Tamils who gathered on May 18 to mark 16 years since the end of Sri Lanka's brutal civil war in Mullivaikkal, the site of the final battle between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, a separatist group that fought for a Tamil homeland. As on previous anniversaries, Tamils this year lit candles in remembrance of their loved ones and held a moment of silence. Dressed in black, people paid their respects before a memorial fire and ate kanji, the gruel consumed by civilians when they were trapped in Mullivaikkal amid acute food shortages. This year's commemorations were the first to take place under the new government helmed by leftist Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who was elected president in September and has prompted hopes of possible justice and answers for the Tamil community. The Tamil community alleges that a genocide of civilians took place during the war's final stages, estimating that nearly 170,000 people were killed by government forces. UN estimates put the figure at 40,000. Dissanayake, the leader of the Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), which itself led violent uprisings against the Sri Lankan government in the 1970s and 1980s, has emphasised 'national unity' and its aim to wipe out racism. He made several promises to Tamil voters before the elections last year, including the withdrawal from military-occupied territory in Tamil heartlands and the release of political prisoners. But eight months after he was elected, those commitments are now being tested – and while it's still early days for his administration, many in the Tamil community say what they've seen so far is mixed, with some progress, but also disappointments. In March 2009, Jeevarani lost several members of her family, including her parents, her sister and three-year-old daughter when Sri Lankan forces shelled the tents in which they were sheltering, near Mullivaikkal. 'We had just cooked and eaten and we were happy,' she said. 'When the shell fell it was like we had woken up from a dream. The house was destroyed.' Jeevarani, now 36, buried all her family members in a bunker and left the area, her movements dictated by shelling until she reached Mullivaikkal. In May 2009, she and the surviving members of her family entered army-controlled territory. Now, 16 years later, as she and other Sri Lankan Tamils commemorated their lost family members, most said their memorials had gone largely unobstructed, although there were reports of police disrupting one event in the eastern part of the country. This was a contrast from previous years of state crackdowns on such commemorative events. 'There isn't that climate of fear which existed during the two Rajapaksa regimes,' said Ambika Satkunanathan, a human rights lawyer and former commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, referring to former presidents Mahinda and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, brothers who between them ruled Sri Lanka for 13 out of 17 years between 2005 and 2022. It was under Mahinda Rajapaksa that the Sri Lankan army carried out the final, bloody assaults that ended the war in 2009, amid allegations of human rights abuses. 'But has anything changed substantively [under Dissanayake]? Not yet,' said Satkunanathan. Satkunanathan cited the government's continued use of Sri Lanka's controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and a gazette issued on March 28 to seize land in Mullivaikkal as problematic examples of manifesto promises being overturned in an evident lack of transparency. Despite his pre-election promises, Dissnayake's government earlier this month denounced Tamil claims of genocide as 'a false narrative'. On May 19, one day after the Tamil commemorations, Dissanayake also attended a 'War Heroes' celebration of the Sri Lankan armed forces as the chief guest, while the Ministry of Defence announced the promotion of a number of military and navy personnel. In his speech, Dissanayake stated that 'grief knows no ethnicity', suggesting a reconciliatory stance, while also paying tribute to the 'fallen heroes' of the army who 'we forever honour in our hearts.' Kathiravelu Sooriyakumari, a 60-year-old retired principal, said casualties in Mullivaikkal in 2009 were so extreme that 'we even had to walk over dead bodies.' She said government forces had used white phosphorus during the civil war, a claim Sri Lankan authorities have repeatedly denied. Although not explicitly banned, many legal scholars interpret international law as prohibiting the use of white phosphorus – an incendiary chemical that can burn the skin down to the bone – in densely populated areas. Sooriyakumari's husband, Rasenthiram, died during an attack near Mullivaikkal while trying to protect others. 'He was sending everyone to the bunker. When he had sent everyone and was about to come himself, a shell hit a tree and then bounced off and hit him, and he died,' she said. Although his internal organs were coming out, 'he raised his head and looked around at all of us, to see we were safe.' Her son was just seven months old. 'He has never seen his father's face,' she said. The war left many households like Sooriyakumari's without breadwinners. They have experienced even more acute food shortage following Sri Lanka's 2022 economic crisis and the subsequent rise in the cost of living. 'If we starve, will anyone come and check on us?' said 63-year-old Manoharan Kalimuthu, whose son died in Mullivaikkal after leaving a bunker to relieve himself and being hit by a shell. 'If they [children who died in the final stages of the war] were here, they would've looked after us.' Kalimuthu said she did not think the new government would deliver justice to Tamils, saying, 'We can believe it only when we see it.' Sooriyakumari also said she did not believe anything would change under the new administration. 'There's been a lot of talk but no action. No foundations have been laid, so how can we believe them?' she told Al Jazeera. 'So many Sinhalese people these days have understood our pain and suffering and are supporting us … but the government is against us.' She also expressed suspicion of Dissanayake's JVP party and its history of violence, saying she and the wider Tamil community 'were scared of the JVP before'. The party had backed Rajapaksa's government when the army crushed the Tamil separatist movement. Satkunanathan said the JVP's track record showed 'they supported the Rajapaksas, they were pro-war, they were anti-devolution, anti-international community, were all anti-UN, all of which they viewed as conspiring against Sri Lanka.' She conceded that the party was seeking to show that it had 'evolved to a more progressive position but their action is falling short of rhetoric'. Although Dissanayake's government has announced plans to establish a truth and reconciliation commission, it has rejected a United Nations Human Rights Council resolution on accountability for war crimes, much like previous governments. Before the presidential elections, Dissanayake said he would not seek to prosecute those responsible for war crimes. 'On accountability for wartime violations, they have not moved at all,' Satkunanathan told Al Jazeera, citing the government's refusal to engage with the UN-initiated Sri Lanka Accountability Project (SLAP), which was set up to collect evidence of potential war crimes. 'I would love them to prove me wrong.' The government has also repeatedly changed its stance on the Thirteenth Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution, which promises devolved powers to Tamil-majority areas in the north and east. Before the presidential election, Dissanayake said he supported its implementation in meetings with Tamil parties, but the government has not outlined a clear plan for this, with the JVP's general secretary dismissing it as unnecessary shortly after the presidential election. 'Six months since coming into office, there's no indication of the new government's plan or intention to address the most urgent grievances of the Tamils affected by the war,' Thyagi Ruwanpathirana, South Asia researcher at Amnesty International, said. 'And the truth about the forcibly disappeared features high on the agenda of those in the North and the East.' Still, some, like 48-year-old Krishnapillai Sothilakshmi, remain hopeful. Sothilakshmi's husband Senthivel was forcibly disappeared in 2008. She said she believed the new government would give her answers. A 2017 report by Amnesty International [PDF] estimated that between 60,000 and 100,000 people have disappeared in Sri Lanka since the late 1980s. Although Sri Lanka established an Office of Missing Persons (OMP) in 2017, there has been no clear progress since. 'We need answers. Are they alive or not? We want to know,' Sothilakshmi said. But for Jeevarani, weeping on the beach as she looked at a photograph of her three-year-old daughter Nila, it's too late for any hope. Palm trees are growing over her family's grave, and she is no longer even able to pinpoint the exact spot where they were buried. 'If someone is sick, this government or that government can say they'll cure them,' she said. 'But no government can bring back the dead, can they?'
Associated Press
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Statement by Prime Minister Carney to mark Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day
OTTAWA, ON, May 18, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, issued the following statement to mark Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day: 'Today marks 16 years since the end of the armed conflict in Sri Lanka – a conflict that spanned over 26 years and killed tens of thousands of civilians. 'On this Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, we remember the lives lost – the families torn apart, the communities devastated, and those who remain missing to this day. We also think of Canada's Tamil community, who carry with them the memory of loved ones, and the many remembrance services planned across Canada. 'Canada continues to support independent international efforts to seek accountability and push for truth and justice. 'As we mark this solemn anniversary, let it strengthen our resolve to act in tribute, with courage, and for lasting peace.' This document is also available at SOURCE Prime Minister's Office
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Statement by Prime Minister Carney to mark Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day
OTTAWA, ON, May 18, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, issued the following statement to mark Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day: "Today marks 16 years since the end of the armed conflict in Sri Lanka – a conflict that spanned over 26 years and killed tens of thousands of civilians. "On this Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, we remember the lives lost – the families torn apart, the communities devastated, and those who remain missing to this day. We also think of Canada's Tamil community, who carry with them the memory of loved ones, and the many remembrance services planned across Canada. "Canada continues to support independent international efforts to seek accountability and push for truth and justice. "As we mark this solemn anniversary, let it strengthen our resolve to act in tribute, with courage, and for lasting peace." This document is also available at SOURCE Prime Minister's Office View original content: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
