In a remarkable display of cultural diplomacy and youth empowerment, twelve young South African Tamils have been selected for the prestigious “Reaching Your Roots” educational tour to Tamil Nadu, India. This initiative is fully sponsored by the Tamil Nadu Government. Among the fortunate few is 23-year-old Darsha Ellan, an assistant teacher at Atholton Primary School and an active member of the cultural organisation Villaku Ilam, who is set to embark on what she describes as a deeply personal and transformative journey.
The “Reaching Your Roots” tour is part of a global initiative led by the Tamil Nadu Government through its Non-Resident Tamils (NRT) Welfare Board. It aims to reconnect members of the Tamil diaspora with their ancestral heritage by offering an immersive educational experience in Tamil Nadu. Participants will explore historical and spiritual landmarks, experience traditional arts and language, and gain insight into the ancient customs and identity that shape Tamil civilisation. For many, including Ellan, it’s a rare chance to bridge generational and geographic gaps that have grown over centuries of diaspora history.
Reflecting on her selection, Ellan shared: “Being selected is not just a personal milestone—it’s an opportunity to connect with my ancestral roots in a way that is educational, emotional, and spiritual. It feels like a journey of both remembrance and discovery.” She sees this experience not only as a way to deepen her own cultural understanding but also as an opportunity to return home with a mission to educate and inspire others.
“I hope to gain a clearer sense of who I am culturally, to build lasting friendships with like-minded youth from around the world, and to bring back what I’ve learned to inspire other young South Africans. I want to be able to share these experiences with the children I teach and the youth I engage with through Villaku Ilam. Our heritage deserves to be preserved, celebrated and lived.”
Ellan, who grew up and still lives in the tight-knit community of Avoca in Durban, credits her upbringing for nurturing both her cultural identity and sense of social responsibility. She is currently pursuing a degree in education through the University of South Africa and plays an active role in community-based learning, particularly through her involvement in Villaku Ilam. As a content designer for the organisation, she contributes to monthly publications and visual educational resources aimed at keeping Tamil language and tradition alive among young South Africans.
“As South African Tamils, many of us are generations removed from our origins in India. A programme like this gives us the opportunity to understand our heritage, language, rituals and history in a deep and meaningful way. It empowers us with knowledge and pride,” she said.
Her participation also follows in the footsteps of her older brother, Ashlin Ellan, who was the sole South African representative in a previous batch of the NRT programme. His experiences have left a lasting impression on her and helped ignite her own desire to walk the ancestral paths of Tamil Nadu.
“Watching my brother grow through that experience—both spiritually and intellectually—deeply inspired me. His stories, his photos, his reflections all planted the seed for this journey. I now have the opportunity to continue that legacy, to represent our community, and to honour our shared heritage,” she said.
Ashlin Ellan, now a cultural ambassador for the third batch of the programme and founder of the youth-based organisation Villaku Ilam after returning from India, has offered words of encouragement to this year’s delegates. In a message to the group, he described the tour as a profound homecoming.
“You are about to embark on something far greater than a tour — this is a pilgrimage to your heritage, a return to the soil from which your ancestors rose, and a soul-stirring opportunity to discover who you are beyond borders and generations,” he said. He encouraged participants to fully immerse themselves in the experience, speak the language, walk barefoot in temples, and return with the mission to inspire others in their communities.
The inclusion of twelve South African participants this year—a significant increase from a single delegate in the past—marks notable progress in fostering stronger ties between the Tamil diaspora in South Africa and cultural institutions in India. It also highlights the growing importance of cultural identity and historical awareness among South African youth, particularly in communities shaped by displacement, migration, and globalisation.
