The spirit of tradition, diversity and community came alive as more than 500 residents gathered to celebrate the Indian New Year 2026 at the Mountbatten Community Club on April 11.
Organised by the Mountbatten Community Club Indian Activity Executive Committee (IAEC), the event transformed the newly opened venue at Jalan Satu into a lively cultural hub, offering a rich and immersive experience of India’s heritage through crafts, performances, and cuisine.
Celebrated across India in various forms such as Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Baisakhi, Vishu, and Puthandu, the Indian New Year marks seasonal renewal, agricultural beginnings and cultural reflection. This year’s Mountbatten celebration embraced that diversity with the theme “Celebration of Traditions: A Showcase of Indian Handicrafts”.
The event was thoughtfully curated in two segments, beginning with an engaging exhibition by 18 Indian associations – including Maharashtra Mandal Singapore (MMS), Singapore Malayalee Association, and Meyer Thamizh Sangam – representing different regions of India. Their booths showcased a stunning array of traditional handicrafts, textiles and artefacts, reflecting the country’s vast cultural landscape.
One of the standout displays came from Bijhar (Singapore), which presented a vibrant collection of traditional items including Chhath Soop (a hand-woven bamboo winnowing basket used as a sacred vessel to carry and offer offerings to the Sun God), lac bangles, Madhubani paintings, Dhokra metal art, and Sikki craft (weaving of golden-hued grass into intricate baskets, toys and decorative objects).
The exhibit also featured region-specific textiles such as Gicha silk, Tussar silk, and Bhagalpuri silk, alongside hand-painted sarees. Adding a cultural flourish, Bijhar members performed a graceful Kajri dance, drawing appreciative applause.
Visitors also enjoyed interactive elements such as traditional games and even nostalgic experiences like parrot fortune-telling, which added a festive and engaging dimension to the evening.
Another highlight was a unique exhibition by the Kamala Club, curated by Ms Padmavathy Devi Tatta. The display featured intricately handcrafted dolls representing South Indian traditions, including Kuchipudi dancers in the iconic Tarangam pose, Kolatam performers and scenes from the harvest festival of Makara Sankranthi.
“By bringing these 100-year-old traditions to a local platform like Mountbatten CC, we aim to make our heritage accessible and beautiful for the entire Singaporean community,” said Ms Smita Wargantiwar, president of the Kamala Club.
The second segment of the evening moved to the stage, where 13 performances brought the spirit of Indian New Year celebrations to life. The programme featured a colourful mix of classical and folk dances, traditional music and theatrical storytelling reflecting harvest and seasonal rituals from across India.
The dhol tasha (percussion) drummers from MMS stole the show with a rhythmic performance that drew thunderous applause.
The Kamala Club’s performance opened with a tribute to Ugadi, symbolising prosperity and new beginnings, before transitioning into a poetic portrayal of bridal traditions. The energy peaked with a vibrant Kolatam stick dance, whose rhythmic precision captivated the audience.
Adding to the celebratory atmosphere was a specially curated dinner featuring 11 dishes from different parts of India, offering guests a culinary journey that complemented the cultural showcase.
The items included Kashmiri Dum Aloo, Guajarati Tindli Subzi, Maharashtrian Bharti Vangi, Uttarakhandi Pahadi Fish Curry and Malpua with Rabdi, which is popular in Bihar, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh.
The event was attended by Guest of Honour Gho Sze Kee, Advisor to Mountbatten Grassroots Organisations. Dressed in Indian attire, she interacted warmly with residents and participants, underscoring the inclusive spirit of the evening.
“The diverse focus of this year’s Indian New Year celebration is heartening because sharing our distinct cultures is how we integrate and grow closer as a community,” she said. “Seeing residents of all backgrounds come together strengthens the social fabric that makes us uniquely Singapore.”
Attendees across age groups praised the event for its engaging performances, vibrant displays and delicious food, noting that it offered a meaningful opportunity to learn about India’s diverse traditions in a local setting.
Said resident Alfred Tan: “The celebrations were a real eye opener for me as I got to see Indian culture from different parts of India. It was a great event, and I congratulate the organising committee on the success.”
Organising Chair Srikant Lal expressed gratitude to the participating associations, volunteers and grassroots leaders who made the event possible. “This is, in many ways, a truly Singaporean celebration where different cultures are not only respected but actively experienced and shared,” he said.
