In a quiet corner of Block 19 Cantonment Close, 50-year-old resident Ms Anitha Tamilmaran has transformed a simple void deck into a vibrant gallery of festive cheer.
Drawing upon her background in interior design, she has spent months meticulously crafting elaborate decorations to celebrate Singapore’s major festivals, including National Day, Deepavali, Christmas, and Chinese New Year.
Her latest masterpiece, a tribute to Hari Raya, is both a cultural celebration and a powerful statement on sustainability.
Driven by her guiding principle of “saving the planet,” Ms Anitha creates these intricate installations almost entirely from recycled materials.
From discarded tissue boxes to scavenged trinkets, her work beautifies the block while fostering environmental awareness and a deep sense of unity among neighbours.
Upon entering the void deck, visitors are greeted by complex geometric patterns, domes, stars, and crescent symbols that beautifully represent the spirit of Hari Raya.
The timeline for this project was gruelling. Immediately after completing the Chinese New Year decorations at Block 8, Ms Anitha had just one month to conceptualise and assemble the current Hari Raya display. She admits the process was a labour of love that took an emotional toll.
“The entire month was emotional for me,” she recalled. “Sometimes I would cry, wondering if I could complete the designs in time. My sons started missing my cooking because I was spending so little time at home.”
Admitting that creating the decoration elements was challenging, Ms Anitha still ensured that recycled materials looked aesthetically pleasing. Her designs infuse recycled materials such as CD cases, plastic egg trays, and snack packets.
“For someone who did not initially know much about Hari Raya, I knew I had to use vibrant colours to attract residents. Green, of course, came to mind first.”
She attributed the success of her work to the support of her husband, Mr SKV Tamilmaran, 57, and the items she collected over several years, supplemented by generous donations from nearby residents.
As a mother of two sons, aged 23 and 25, who had previously spent 12 years living in the Middle East due to her husband’s work, Ms Anitha drew inspiration from her time abroad.
“When I lived in the Middle East, I enjoyed the scenic views of domes and learned to appreciate Islamic culture. Drawing inspiration from those memories, I tried to recreate what I had seen”, she noted.
Given the tight timeline and the lack of an immediate network of Malays in her neighbourhood to consult, Ms Anitha took it upon herself to conduct extensive research as the designs progressed.
This research led her to include the element of ‘Nur’ - the Arabic word for light, incorporating designs that specifically represent radiance in Islam.
A freelance artist by trade, Ms Anitha has always been drawn to sustainability. When her sons were in school, she encouraged them to use recycled materials for their projects rather than buying new ones. To her, the planet is a gift from God that must be protected.
The family moved to the Cantonment estate in 2005, and since last July, Ms Anitha has served as a volunteer with the Cantonment Towers Residents’ Network.
Her journey into festive decorating began during National Day last year, when she pitched a design idea to the Residents’ Network chairman and successfully executed it.
Her dedication has not gone unnoticed. Curious onlookers often stop to watch her work, offer help, or bring her snacks.
For Ms Anitha, the joy her work brings to Cantonment residents is the greatest motivation.
“The festive display is a way of uniting a neighbourhood,” she said.
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25 Sep 2025 19:28
