By MOOMTAZ EMRITH
Windsor, ON, Canada
The book “IN SEARCH OF OUR ANCESTORS,” which is co-authored by (Dr.) Armoogum PARSURAMEN (GOSK) and Satyendra PEERTHUM (AOYP), is presented to the readers as “a Historical and Pictorial Presentation and Tribute to the Tamil Indian Migration and Settlement in MAURITIUS and their Descendants (1728 to the Present Time and in Other Parts of the World.”
(Dr.) Armoogum PARSURAMEN, is a known former long-time Mauritius’ Minister of Education in late (Sir) Anerood Jugnauth’s Government and a former official of UNESCO; and Satyendra PEERTHUM, is a promising young writer, historian and researcher, in residence, with the “APRAVASI GHAT TRUST FUND.” Their jointly authored project is a very readable account of the history on the search and discovery of the Indian Tamils in their venture overseas from their modest villages in southern India, notably in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Pondicherry, Salem and other areas, including, more particularly, an account of their settlement in the Indian Ocean Island of Mauritius – not to mention also in places like Reunion Island, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Guyana, Fiji, Guadeloupe and other parts of the world. The Tamils were among the first Indian immigrants to land in Mauritius (then ruled by the French and known as Isle de France). The year was around 1729, which put them almost at the beginning of the island’s colonization by the French — which actually, began in 1715.
Both Armoogum Parsuramen and Satyendra Peerthum are themselves, by virtue of their academic and professional achievements, prominent descendants of Indian immigrants to Mauritius. So much so, they could well relate to the central theme of their book “IN SEARCH OF OUR ANCESTORS …” and, I’ll say: They have succeeded splendidly!
It is a fact that the French, as a rising colonial power in the early eighteenth century, were challenging the British in their effort to subdue India as they too wanted a share of the rich pie that India represented then. The French, in their campaigns in India, began their operations in the south of the sub-continent and were able to secure some territories in the region – notably the port city of Madras (to-day Chennai), Mahé, Pondicherry … Thus, the French became familiar with the Tamil people and appreciated their artisanal abilities, skills and talents as workers. So much so, to help them develop their new colonies, they recruited the Tamil workers without hesitation. Hence the beginning of Tamil migration from India.
Oil, hardships, trials and tribulations
Thus, “IN SEARCH OF OUR ANCESTORS,” Parsuramen and Peerthum, take us on a fascinating journey of the Tamil migrant workers and their settlements and also of their struggles for survival in their new climes. That these migrants were successful in their ‘adventure’ is beyond doubt. In fact, the authors make an account of their long history of toil, hardships, trials and tribulations which they overcame with perseverance; and they built for themselves and their families a future in their adopted land. It is a tribute to their hard work and faith in their own capabilities. Indeed, it all comes ‘alive’ in the book supported with impressive research, photos, and maps. The book will definitely be a valuable addition to the personal library of every adept of history — more particularly of Mauritius’ history. As a matter of fact, I even feel that the book is destined to become a ‘classic’ in its own right in the days to come.
In Mauritius, it is an undisputed fact that the French colonizers used the talents and experience of these skilled south Indian workers – notably, the Tamils and the Lascars (most of whom also hailed from south India) to help them build many of the infrastructure in their colonies – notably in Port Louis, (Isle de France – Mauritius), the natural port and harbour of the new colony. Sure, among these workers almost everyone was a Tamil and spoke the Tamil language, hailing, as they did from the south of India. However, not all of them professed Hinduism as their religion. There were also, among them, many who were Muslims known as Lascars and who were mostly mariners working aboard ships and in the harbour and the docks.
“IN SEARCH OF OUR ANCESTORS’ establishes the presence of the first Tamils in Mauritius since 1728 – a fact that is undeniably attested by research and also by the presence of the first Tamil temples or Korvils across the island rather than mandirs (Hindu temples), which were built much later by immigrants from the northern India, who were of the Hindu faith and who came as Indentured Workers much later when the colony had already been taken over by the British.
To-day, the Tamils in Mauritius are spread all over the island and have
continued to play a meaningful role in the growth and development of the island and they have remained an ever-vibrant community within the larger Mauritian society keeping their Tamil language and Dravidian culture and traditions alive. In fact, the Tamils of Mauritius have always been a prominent part of the larger Mauritian community and, like everybody else, they play, à part entière, their part as citizens of the country at all levels and in all walks of life.
The authors Armoogum Parsuramen and Satyendra Peerthum, in their ground-breaking book, take us through a fascinating journey of the Tamil diaspora not only in Mauritius but around the world. The Tamil migrant workers, like the early Muslims of Mauritius, arrived, in the colony more or less around the same time from India, and they both share a similar history filled with toil, sweat and tears. But their will to succeed and persevere against the odds, kept them going. To-day, as the authors glowingly tell us, theirs has been a shining story of success.
Texts, maps and photos
“In SEARCH OF OUR ANCESTORS…” is profusely illustrated with photos of people, personalities, events, places and buildings. Indeed, it takes us, as said before, on a great historical trip – which, I’m sure, every reader interested in the colourful history of our island – will relish. Parsuramen and Peerthum draw for us a most interesting journey of the great story of the Tamil migrants who have, like every other community in our beautiful island, helped make our little island – already reputed as the “Star and Key of the Indian Ocean” – a glittering jewel to the world – a graceful model of a lovely place of peaceful co-existence par excellence in a plural society where everyone feels at home and where every group knows they have to work together to make it a heavenly place not only for themselves but also for their families and neighbours.
Indeed, Mauritius may be a mere speck in the lap of the Indian Ocean but, as a country, as a state, we still matter because we are unique by virtue of our disparity, our outlook on life and love for our neighbours. Indeed, we, Mauritians, are multiculturalists par excellence. And, Armoogum Parsuramen and Satyendra Peerthum, through their book, remind us of this beautiful fact as we go through the twenty-one odd chapters filled with an excellent line-up of texts, maps and photos throughout its 441 odd pages. Indeed, Mauritius, by its multiculturalism, is a window to the world and, as a country, it is a state that is the sum of its diverse communities – a shining example of life in a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society that is the ‘envy’ of the world. And, “IN SEARCH OF OUR ANCESTORS” beautifully reinforces that glorious feeling that we, as Mauritians, feel about our society, about our little country and about our history.
I firmly believe that it is always a very good thing that, in a plural society like ours, every group or component should know and learn about the faith, culture and history of who the neighbour is and of the role and contribution each brings to what their ‘home’ is! Not only does that help enhance the understanding of each other but also adds to their mutual respect of each other as well as the acceptance of their respective ethnic and cultural differences. Understanding is the key. To that end, “IN SEARCH OF OUR ANCESTORS” is definitely a positive addition to the multicultural fabric of our history and of our country. Mauritius! What a great model it is to the world! To the authors, I again compliment them on a job well done! And, once again, I proudly add: “Messieurs Armoogum et Satyendra, chapeau!
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(*) The book, which is published by The Armoogum Parsuramen Foundation (APF), was officially launched at the Sai Auditorium, Sri Venkateshwaraa Group of Institutions, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, India, at a gala function in the presence, among others, of the Chief Minister of the State, on November 25, 2022. Another formal launching of the book in Mauritius is planned, I’m told, in February 2023.