Keynote Address by Senior Minister of State for Law and Transport Mr Murali Pillai SC, at Murasu 360
26 Apr 2026 Posted in Speeches
Mr Hamid Razak, Member of Parliament, West Coast-Jurong West GRC and Grassroots Adviser to West Coast-Jurong West GRC GROs,
Dr Haresh Singaraju, Nominated Member of Parliament,
Mr Naseer Ghani, Chairman, Tamil Language Council,
Mr Wong Wei Kong, Editor‑in‑Chief, English, Malay, Tamil Media (EMTM),
Mr T Raja Segar, Editor, Tamil Murasu,
Ladies and gentlemen,
1. A very good evening to all of you.
2. I am delighted to join you this evening for Murasu 360. Standing here in 2026, we are not just marking the close of another festival; we are witnessing a historic milestone – the 20th Anniversary of the Tamil Language Festival, or TLF.
3. Over the last two decades, this festival has grown from small beginnings into a key pillar in our community.
4. I want to begin by commending Tamil Murasu. By creating a ‘360-degree’ view of the festival, you show us a full picture of the energy and the creativity of the past month.
5. Language is a peculiar creature. I shall speak about its two paradoxes today. The first is that it is powerful, but fragile. When disused, even for a short period, it becomes weak and can disappear.
6. So, when the TLF began 20 years ago, our goal was simple: to keep the Tamil language alive in the practice and in the hearts of our people. Looking at the landscape today, we have achieved much more. This year alone, we saw a staggering 43 events – each a unique thread in the rich tapestry of our heritage.
7. From literary debates and traditional arts to digital storytelling and student competitions, the festival has evolved. It is no longer just a series of programmes; it has become a movement. It is now a vital platform where our students find their voice, our organisations find their purpose, and our community finds its soul.
8. This is the power of language – it is not just a pragmatic tool for communication, it speaks to our very identity.
9. What strikes me most about this year’s celebrations is its sheer energy. Today, the Singaporean Tamil community is more vibrant and dynamic than ever. We see a generation of youth who are not just learning Tamil because they have to, but because they want to. They are finding innovative ways to weave the Tamil language into the modern world.
10. The festival brings out the best of Tamil from every corner of our society. Whether it is a grandparent teaching wisdom and resilience to their grandchildren, or a young professional creating Tamil content online, the ‘360-degree’ spirit is alive. This synergy between the young and the old, the traditional and the modern, is what keeps our community resilient.
11. This spirit of unity and resilience is especially important as we navigate challenging times together.
12. We become weaker if we do not stand together. In the days ahead, we may face disruptions to supply chains and rising costs, but our strength lies in our ability to stand together as one people, regardless of race, language, or religion.
13. Now, this is the second paradox of language. Even as Tamil defines our identity as a community, each of our different languages across the island, defines who we are as Singaporeans.
14. The strength and unity of our society lies, not in the fact that we speak one language, but that we speak many languages, but with one voice. Unity is our national language and one that will allow us to weather any storms that may come.
15. As we wrap up this 20th anniversary celebration, let us remember that the end of the festival is not the end of our efforts. Let us continue to nurture this ‘living language.’ And ensure that 20 years from now, the next generation will stand here, just as proud of their roots as we are today.
16. The engagements and the energy we felt this month must be extended into our homes, our schools, our workplaces, and of course, our communities.
17. Once again, my heartiest congratulations to the Tamil Language Council, Tamil Murasu, all community organisations, schools, and every participant who made TLF 2026 a resounding success.
Last updated on 26 April 2026