Selvam Speaks

We live in a time of heightened political, social, and even psychological polarization. Our views and opinions have become extremely divided, making it harder for us to find a common ground in all walks of life.  This is why I feel compelled to talk about so-called revolutionary Tamil talk shows— Neeya Naana , Vaa Tamizha Vaa , and others—that significantly shape our beliefs, perceptions, and reasoning. These shows are consumed by millions across platforms and hold immense influence in Tamil communities worldwide. Why Did I Decide to Write This? One day, while casually scrolling through my Facebook feed, a clip from Neeya Naana popped up. The conversation was short, crisp, and engaging.  Curious, I continued scrolling and more such feeds appeared. All the content shown on the feed revolved around relationships, gender issues, societal norms, stereotypes, cultural conflicts, etc.  While some of the content was indeed thought-provoking, others left me wondering, “Would som...

My recent visit to Parvathamalai stirred a deep reflection on how profoundly social media can reshape our world—sometimes for the better, but often at a cost. I first set foot on this sacred hill in 2016. Almost a decade later, in February 2025, I returned, only to find a place transformed almost beyond recognition. Back then, the quaint village of Thenmathimangalam—nestled at the base of the hill—had just a handful of shops. It exuded a rustic charm, untouched and serene. I still remember sipping a cup of tea made with rich, creamy milk. As someone who rarely drinks tea or coffee, I surprised myself by having a second cup. The memories from that first visit remain vivid and dear. (You can still read my 2016 blog post on Parvathamalai for a glimpse of that time.) The Winds of Change Change, as we know, is inevitable. But some changes leave a sense of loss that’s hard to reconcile with. My recent trip to Parvathamalai was one such experience. Thenmathimangalam is now dotted with numero...