Have some questions about Deepavali as a Thamizh person...

I’m pretty sure that I learned on Twitter that it is an anti-Thamizh holiday b/c of the celebration of “King of Lanka’s” death. I might be wrong?

I’ve been Googling & am finding varying results. Looks like many Indian Tamil Hindus celebrate which I expected. What abt Eelam Tamils? I’m also reading that it’s not as much celebrated by Sri Lankans - is that bc of Ravana or b/c of Buddhism?

Was Ravana Sri Lankan or Tamil?

I am also reading that most ppl gloss over Ravana’s origins and moreso focus on the msg of good conquering evil. Is this a cop-out to continue celebrating harmful or a progressive evolution that makes everyone able to celebrate? I have no idea...

& if it is an anti- Eelam Thamizh holiday, how do you navigate this? When ppl wish you, do you tell them why it’s something you choose not to celebrate? & how do you respond to fellow Eelam Thamizhs that think that’s B.S.?

Asking b/c I’m thinking abt work & being questioned as to why I won’t be honouring it... I can also envision that my response might be refuted by fellow Eelam Thamizh colleagues who might see who problem with celebrating it.

Heck, I can picture my mom telling me, “It’s not that serious” & it feels strange 2 B more disapproving than someone who actually lived there vs. assimilated me... Then again, my folks are very much abt being good citizens & pleasing everyone else, so there’s the grain of salt...