The rhythmic beats of a dikir barat performance, rattan weaving, and traditional Indian dance may seem worlds apart, but share a common purpose: keeping the Singaporean heritage alive.
Celebrating a new generation of heritage practitioners, six youth practitioners across various fields were honoured at the National Heritage Board’s (NHB) inaugural Outstanding Youth in Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Award on 18 March.
First announced in 2025, the award complements the Stewards of ICH Award. It recognises individuals aged 35 and below who practise and promote ICH skills, showcase promising leadership, and serve as positive role models by regularly engaging the community.
Each awardee received a trophy, a certificate, and the option to tap into a S$20,000 Project Grant valid for three years to support the transmission of ICH knowledge.
Presenting the awards at the NTUC Centre’s Stephen Riady Auditorium, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, David Neo, noted that Singapore’s multicultural tapestry is the foundation of its strength and identity.
“Moving forward, a key focus of the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth is to deepen and pass on our traditional arts and heritage to younger generations, promote greater cross-cultural understanding and mutual appreciation, and support our local artists,” he said.
Encouraging youth to engage with traditional arts, he emphasised that it cultivates cultural fluency, empathy, and respect.
Among the recipients are two Indian artists, 35-year-old classical dancer Ms Banupriya Ponnarasu and 32-year-old bamboo flautist Mr Niranjan Pandian.
Ms Banupriya has over two decades of experience in traditional Indian dance forms, specialising in bharatanatyam and kathak.
Beginning her journey at age five, she later trained under Mrs Neila Sathyalingam at Apsaras Arts. Today, she leverages Indian dance for community building, fostering multicultural exchange, and supporting mental well-being.
“Receiving this inaugural recognition is a deeply meaningful affirmation of not just my work, but the collective efforts of collaborators and the wider arts community who sustain heritage together,” she shared, calling ICH the “engine of real integration in Singapore.”
Mr Niranjan started his classical Indian music practice at age 10 under Dr Ghanavenothan Retnam at the Nrityalaya Aesthetics Society.
As co-founder of Brahmastra Arts House, he has led projects such as ‘7 Wonders of Little India’ and the Brahmastra Festival of Arts, which integrated virtual reality (VR) technology to make Indian musical traditions more accessible.
He actively involves other youth practitioners in diverse roles, from audio engineering to music direction.
In Singapore’s cultural tapestry, arts create a living symbiosis between past and present, guiding heritage, identity, and cross-cultural dialogue, noted Mr Niranjan.
“Receiving NHB’s Outstanding Youth in ICH is a humbling honour that deepens my commitment to carrying forward the richness of Indian classical and folk music,” he said.
