The University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) announced the appointment of Sidharthan Maunaguru as the inaugural Chair of Tamil Studies. Housed within the Program in Global Asia Studies in the Department of Historical and Cultural Studies, the Tamil Chair represents the culmination of a remarkable public fundraising initiative in UTSC’s history, demonstrating a dedication to inclusive excellence.

The appointment of Prof. Maunaguru, following a rigorous selection process, is a testament to his scholarly eminence and profound commitment to the Tamil diaspora. With a background as an Associate Professor in Anthropology, jointly appointed with the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, and South Asian Studies Programme at the National University of Singapore, his research endeavors, including roles as a Newton International Fellow in the UK and a senior fellow at Collegium Helveticum, ETH in Switzerland, have delved into the unique challenges faced by the South Asian Tamil diaspora. His work has garnered acclaim for its originality and significance, poised to greatly enrich the academic community at UTSC and across Canada.

His 2019 book ‘Marrying for a Future: Transnational Sri Lankan Tamil Marriages in the Shadow of War’ explored how marriage emerged as an important means of building alliances between dispersed segments of Tamil communities dispersed across the globe.  Prof. Maunaguru, set to assume the role on May 1, 2024, embodies the spirit of advancement in Tamil Studies.