Indigenous Tamil cinema in Sri Lanka before âBlack July'
Athanas Jesurasa
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“Yaarlpaanam” (Jaffna/Yapanaya) regarded by many as the cultural capital of the “Ilangai Thamizhar” of Sri Lanka hosted an international film festival from 15 to 21 September. Jaffna, the capital city of Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, is probably the only city in the world named after a musical instrument.
The Tamil name ‘Yarlpanam’ is