Avvaiyar Vizha 2017 conducted by Tamil Language and Cultural is an Interschool Tamil Literary competition based on a great Tamil lady poet named Avvaiyar. The purpose of the literary competition is to encourage a love of books and literature from a young age.

The competition was split into various categories, as mentioned below:

• K2 – Art competition
• Class 1- Moral Storytelling
• Class 2 – recitation of Avvaiyar poems.
• Class 3 – conversation and dialogues
• Class 4- Speech about National Leaders of Singapore
• Class 5 and 6 – Drama

Kaviya Sre Rajkumar of class 1B, GIIS Balestier won the first prize under Moral Storytelling category. The competition was held on July 9, 2017 at Umar Pulavar Tamil Language centre, Singapore, while the prize distribution ceremony on July 23, 2017.

The society conducted the literary competition, based on Avvaiyar’s teachings, for primary school students. Many students from 50 schools participated in the contest, while 10 students from Balestier campus partaken in 5 above slated categories with much enthusiasm.

Under the guidance of Mrs. Jayasri Balakrishnan, committee member of Tamil language and Cultural Society, the competition was judged by skilled Tamil teachers from various Singapore schools.

The award ceremony was held at Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre, indoor auditorium, with Mr. R. Dinakaran, Vice President, Hindu Endowments Board and Mrs. Kavitha Jawahar, renowned speaker and TV celebrity as guest of honours. The award was handed over to Kavya by Mr. R. Dinakaran, Vice President, and Hindu Endowments Board.

Kaviya Sre Rajkumar from Class 1B said “I am grateful to my parents for their encouragement and also my school that believed in my skills and gave me an opportunity to showcase my talent on such an esteemed public platform. Our Tamil teacher, Ms Suganthi supported and trained me on a daily basis and that helped me to face the competition without stage fear.”