Tat Tvam Asi, London, Ontario, Canada, brings together Hindus and their cultural and religious traditions from Kerala, the God s own country, a tropical paradise located in Southern India. Tat Tvam Asi, a Sanskrit phrase, translated as thou art that is a description of the relationship between the Individual and the Brahman, the absolute reality. Mentioned in Chandogya Upanishad, Tat Tvam Asi is considered a Mahavakya and is revealed by Uddalaka Aruni to his son Svetaketu. Similar conclusions have been arrived by many yogis and saints, an example being Aham Brahmasmi I am Brahman as mentioned in Brihadarankya Upanishad. Realization of the oneness of the Individual and the Brahman is a fundamental concept and a common goal of the kaleidoscopic Hinduism. Undoubtedly, the path to achieving the realization of oneness is difficult.

The Hindu culture recognizes this difficulty and has evolved over millennia to guide an individual in a non-dogmatic manner towards this goal. Historically, the religious and cultural traditions of the Hindus of Kerala is synonymously associated with its spice trade. Had it not been for the spices of Kerala, the history of the world would have been different. Recorded as early as 3000 BCE, the spice trade attracted the Sumerians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Arabs, Jews, Greeks and Romans to the shores of Kerala. Trade with Kerala, then known as Chera Nadu, was one of the main drivers of the economy of the ancient world. In Kerala, spice trade also primed the establishment of some of the worlds earliest Jewish, Christian and Islamic communities outside of the Middle-East.

Later, the spice trade had a significant role in the European oceanic explorations, colonisations and consequent changes to the history of the modern world. Through the changes in history, the religious and cultural traditions of the Hindus of Kerala not only endured but thrived, and continues as the backbone of Kerala society. The harvest festival of Onam, the new year celebration Vishu, the performing arts such as Kathakali, Koodiyattom, Mohiniyattam and Theyyam, and rich Folklores are but the tip of the iceberg, seamlessly merging culture and religion, to the joy of millions. We at Tat Tvam Asi continue these traditions, adding to the rich fabric of Canada.