Tamil Studies at SOAS, University of London has a long history. Tamil was one of the South Asian languages being taught when SOAS University of London was founded in 1916.

World-renowned Tamil scholars such as Dr John Marr, Stuart Blackburn and David Shulman are the prodigies of SOAS. The famous English scholar M. S. H. Thompson once taught Tamil at SOAS.

SOAS's statue of the Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar, a destination and focus for many Tamil community events, has become a global symbol for the School.

However, due to ongoing cuts in government funding, languages such as Tamil are no longer taught at SOAS.

The SOAS South Asia Institute has partnered with Tamil Studies UK, a community-driven initiative to bring Tamil Studies back to SOAS. To raise funds, Tamil Studies UK host a range of events, talks and debates with academics, writers, artists and musicians.

This crowdfunding campaign by the loyal and generous members of the Tamil community has already seen phenomenal results.

Our aims include:

- Establishing an endowment for scholarships, teaching and engagement for Tamil students and members of the community.

- Ensuring Tamil is taught and accessible for all university students, to a standard that provides credits for their degree, and supporting Tamil language study and accreditation in schools and the community.

- Conserving and digitising cultural and material heritage such as the Palm Leaf Manuscripts and other Tamil resources in the SOAS Library and Archive.

- Maintaining of the Thiruvalluvar statue and surrounding environments for use as a cultural and community landmark.

- Endowing a Chair in Tamil and Tamil Studies at SOAS, and creating sustainable academic posts focused on innovative teaching and research of Tamil and Tamil Studies.

Please join us by supporting the campaign or setting up a page to fundraise for Tamil Studies at SOAS. The incredible total raised already has been made up of gifts of all sizes. Your contribution is important and greatly appreciated.

Thank you for supporting Tamil Studies at SOAS.

If, for any reason, the fundraising target is not achieved, the total amount raised will be maintained at SOAS as The Tamil Studies UK Endowment, and the income generated will be used to fund various Tamil initiatives within SOAS.

To say thank you, any donation of £1,000 or more will feature on Tamil Studies UK's online donor board.