A sense of viidu

Abstract

“A poignant and relevant book for our times that provides a deep understanding of loss, displacement, migration, belonging, and home. A Sense of Viidu weaves together the history and stories of the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora in Australia and reveals the complex, emotional, and multi-dimensional experiences of the many thousands who have sought and continue to seek peace and a safe home.” -Padmini Sebastian OAM, University of Melbourne, Australia “A sense of viidu gives readers a profound and absorbing insight into the complexities of the Sri Lankan Tamil refugee experience in Australia. Empirically rich and deeply haunting, it accounts for homes lost and remade by subjects in exile and their unwavering spirit in the post-conflict era.” -Dr Selvaraj Velayutham, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia “A diverse and insightful collection of texts which show how experiences of loss in and of the homeland are intertwined with psychological, cultural, social, and material processes of homemaking in Australia. Australia’s own violent history and migration policies make up a backdrop to the efforts of first and second generation Tamil migrants to shape their lives in a world of both possibilities and pain.” -Prof Camilla Orjuela, School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg, Sweden ?This book is the first compilation of the experiences of the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora in Australia. It explores the theme of home-from what is left behind, what is brought and what is (re)created in new spaces-and all the complex processes that ensue as a result of leaving a land defined by conflict. Although the war officially came to an end in 2009, conflict continues in diverse forms, which is presented from the perspectives of those who have left Sri Lanka. The research chapters present a multidisciplinary approach to Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora studies and are complemented by creative contributions from prominent Sri Lankan artists in Australia.