Retired shipyard electrician Ng Seng Lye, 75, usually spends his Sundays at the gym or on a day trip overseas.
The first Sunday in May, however, was an exception as he and several of his fellow Queenstown residents visited the Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society’s (SIFAS) new heritage campus at 250 Middle Road for the first time.
“I wanted to learn more about Indian dance and music so we can better understand each other’s culture and experience something new,” Mr Ng said.
Their visit coincided with the closing day of the SIFAS Festival of Arts, where 55 residents of varied races witnessed the Mumurthigal Vizha, a masterful performance of Indian classical music featuring over 20 artistes in tribute to the three great saints of Carnatic music.
“The primary intention behind organising this excursion was to expose residents to the richness of Indian arts and cultural heritage in an accessible and engaging way,” said Ms Ranjani Rangan, chairperson of the Queenstown Indian Activity Executive Committee (IAEC).
Her association with SIFAS extends to 1988, when she started as a student, then became an alumni, and now its management committee member, where she chairs Community and Engagement.
The two-part excursion included a tour of the SIFAS premises and live classes, where residents split into smaller groups to try their hand at various classical Indian art forms. This was followed by a visit to the Sri Krishnan Temple at the nearby Waterloo Street for a traditional banana leaf lunch, which was a highlight for many.
The guest of honour, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Law and Social and Family Development Eric Chua, actively participated in the excursion along with the residents. During the campus tour, he played the tabla and attempted a few bharatanatyam steps.
“It’s absolutely important for us to preserve this tone of multiculturalism because we are a plural society,” Mr Chua said. He emphasised that the first touchpoint with a particular culture or faith is crucial, such as listening to Carnatic music or enjoying a vegetarian meal in a Hindu temple.
Mr Ganesh Kurup, 43, a management committee member whose wife is a trustee of the privately owned Sri Krishnan Temple, was heartened to see residents of different races and faiths come together harmoniously for a meal.
“That in itself is a testament to the hard work that our forefathers have put in, and we are very happy to be able to have that opportunity to host people. The doors are always open, and we hope that they will come back,” Mr Ganesh said.
For Lengkok Bahru resident Normah Ismail, 62, a home-based business owner and regular at Queenstown Community Centre’s events, the excursion marked her maiden visit to a Hindu temple.
She was accompanied by her two best friends – Mdm Hazizah Noor Mohd, 65, and Mdm Anna Mary, 77. It was a memorable day for the trio, who were particularly fond of the earlier performance as the classical melodies resonated with their generation.
Fourth-generation Queenstown resident and housewife, Mdm Kalyani Krishnan, 80, noted that such events are essential to fostering greater awareness and encouraging people to step out of their homes and connect with one another.
“Without the first touchpoint, there won’t be a second or a third. And we have to continuously work at it, to make sure that whenever disputes arise from time to time, the channel is there for us to have a frank conversation,” Mr Chua explained.
