Imagine stepping into the festive grandeur of a wedding banquet – fragrant spice-infused dishes, lively drumbeats, and an electric hum of celebration, except there is no bride or groom waiting at the altar.
For most people, a traditional wedding feast is an exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime affair reserved strictly for family and invited guests.
Because these rich heirloom recipes are crafted solely for grand nuptial spreads, they rarely appear on commercial restaurant menus or hawker stalls, existing almost entirely within specialised event catering.
Recognising the magic in these culinary traditions, A Wedding of Traditions: The Chulia Experience 2.0 set out to do something delightfully unique: recreate the full, joyous atmosphere of a wedding banquet purely to share its food, music, and heritage with the wider public.
Uncovering Pioneer Roots Through Rhythm and Ritual
Organised by Shaabaz Group of Companies on July 19, the interactive showcase marked a return following its sold-out debut earlier in April.
Beyond the dining tables, the immersive setting aimed to shed light on the rich legacy of the Chulias – early Tamil Muslim pioneers whose trade, craftsmanship, and culture formed an integral, yet often overlooked, chapter of early Singapore.
Throughout the day, guests were drawn into the vibrant cultural landscape of the community. Rhythmic, reverberating beats of traditional music filled the space, accompanying live demonstrations and interactive Kahoot trivia games that unpacked decades-old customs.
Guests were treated to chendol and hot beverage stations, a henna application booth and a festive photobooth complete with decorations and props that truly captured the authentic wedding vibe.
“A lot of people think ‘Indian Muslim wedding’ and just think of biryani. But we wanted to put a challenge on ourselves to share something that people don’t usually see outside: an educational food and cultural experience to help people know the Chulia community’s roots and heritage,” said Mr Abdul Malieq Abdul Salam, founder of Shaabaz Group of Companies.
A Rare Heirloom Feast
For food enthusiasts and culture-curious minds alike, the undisputed centrepiece of the day arrived in the form of the legendary 5 Kari Soru, where ghee rice is served with Kaliya (liver with potato masala), Lamb Korma, Chicken Samma, Dalcha and Signature Brinjal Pachadi, and Seeni Thuvai (a mix of tomato pachadi, banana and lime).
Prepared by Shaabaz Kitchen, the iconic banquet meal represents the high watermark of traditional Chulia hospitality.
Unlike standard street food offerings, the dishes served in the 5 Kari Soru menu rely on intricate, multi-generational spice-blending techniques passed down quietly through family lines.
Because these recipes are strictly preserved for specialised catering rather than daily dining, tasting them in a public setting offered a rare treat for attendees.
Bridges Over Banquets: A Shared Singaporean Experience
The event’s open-door atmosphere created a vibrant cross-cultural bridge, drawing curious attendees from all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds to learn, taste and celebrate together.
Among those who made the trip was Ms Regina Sin, 50. Despite having a packed schedule and running late from a previous appointment, she expressed that she was so eager to experience the event that she rushed down to make it for the final stretch of the showcase.
“I didn’t even know much about what was happening at first, but my uncle invited me to come try and experience the culture. Even though I could only reach near the end, the whole setup, the community and learning about the history was really attractive,” said Ms Sin, who is Chinese.
“Events like this give you a real culture of learning. I would definitely jump at the chance to attend similar events again to learn even more.”
Moments like these highlighted the true heart of the showcase: using food and tradition as a universal language to bring Singaporeans of different backgrounds together around a shared table.
The next event, Chulia Experience 3.0, will take place on Oct 11, 2026. For more information, visit @shaabazkitchen on Instagram.
