The Singapore University of Social Sciences has set up a $400,000 endowment fund for students taking Tamil language programmes.

From January next year, the fund will provide financial awards to selected students in the school's Bachelor of Arts in Tamil Language and Literature (BATL), BATL with English Language, and BATL with Communication programmes. Up to eight bursaries valued at $1,250 and up to 12 merit awards of $500 each will be given out every year.

Speaking at the launch of the annual Tamil Language Festival yesterday, Tamil Language Council chairman R. Rajaram said: "The Tamil Language Council is heartened by the Singapore University of Social Sciences' endowment fund creation to support higher learning for the Tamil language and literature.

"This will greatly strengthen the language capabilities and literary appreciation of our younger generation in Singapore, and it is our hope that the students will continue to develop and use Tamil beyond their academic years."

This year's Tamil Language Festival started on Saturday and will end on April 30.It will feature two universally acclaimed Tamil literary pieces to be performed for the first time in Singapore by renowned overseas groups. Both are based on works by acclaimed writer Kalki Krishnamurthy.

The first, titled Sivakamiyin Sabatham (Sivakami's Vow), will be staged at the Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre in Beatty Road on Saturday. The second, Ponniyin Selvan (The Son Of Ponni), will be staged at the Esplanade from April 28 to 30.