KUALA LUMPUR: The Jaffna Tamil community has played an important role in every facet of Malaysian society, said the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah (pic).
Known for their rich culture and heritage, the Ruler said the Jaffna Tamils had continued to produce influential and impactful professionals in fields from medicine, education and engineering to politics, civil service and the law.
Sultan Nazrin said they also continued to engage with culture and heritage related to music, dance, movies and the culinary arts.
“These contributions are an integral component of the multicultural nature of Malaysia that we all cherish,” the Ruler said at the launch of the book titled They Came From Jaffna: A Historical Culinary Journey and Enchanting Tale of Roots, Routes and Vivid Memoires, As Told By A Pioneer’s Granddaughter authored by Indra R. L. Iswaran at Universiti Malaya here yesterday.
Sultan Nazrin said the Jaffna Tamils contributed in multiple and significant ways to the development of Singapore and Malaysia since their migration in the late 19th century, Bernama reported.
“Travelling by rail back in the old days, one would have encountered many Ceylon (Jaffna) Tamil stationmasters. Many of the chief clerks in government offices and business agencies also came from this community,” he said.
On the book itself, the Ruler said it encapsulated both the cultural authenticity of one particular community as well as the fusion of this specific culinary heritage with other local and international influences.
“This unique book manages to engage all the senses: from the intellectual reward of the historical details it contains, to the aesthetic pleasure gained from the beautiful illustrations and photos, to the remembered and imagined smells and tastes that are conjured up by all the detailed recipes.
“For me as a historian, this interweaving of images, voices and tastes from the past provides a very special window into those long ago times,” said Sultan Nazrin.
Guests at the book launch enjoyed a sumptuous Jaffna spread curated and catered by Aliyaa, a leading Sri Lankan restaurant in Damansara Heights.