As Singapore celebrates its 61st birthday, the National Day Parade (NDP) returns to the National Stadium under a theme that calls on the nation to care for the community and push boundaries together: “Majulah Singapura, Go Beyond!”. The grand spectacle brings together 36 artistes and over 2,600 performers.
Across six thematic chapters, the show engages the nation through authentic stories, cutting-edge technology and a moving musical lineup.
Among the home-grown Indian talent leading this celebration are four stellar Indian performers – a host, a Carnatic vocalist, a Bharatanatyam dancer and a youth singer – weaving their personal journeys, artistic roots, and national pride into the parade.
A Full Circle Moment
As one of the main hosts welcoming Singaporeans back to the National Stadium, Udaya Soundari is a familiar presence on local television. Nonetheless, stepping into the NDP stage holds a deeply personal significance that stands apart from any regular broadcast.
“It’s truly a dream come true,” Udaya shared, reflecting on her initial reaction when invited to join the hosting lineup. “When they first called and asked if I would mind hosting, I was absolutely thrilled,” she noted. “As someone who grew up in this country watching the parade every year, stepping onto a stage hosting and performing the theme song from an iconic show I have also acted in feels like a full-circle moment.”
Beyond hosting, Udaya takes centre stage in Chapter 4: Go Beyond Time, where she performs the theme song from the iconic Vasantham police drama Vettai as part of the nostalgic walk down Singapore’s television history. Preparing for the show required immense physical endurance. “NDP requires serious stamina! Moving, speaking and keeping the crowd’s energy high for over two hours straight is physically demanding, but the crowd’s energy powers you right through.”
She looks forward to Chapter 3 and the grand finale. “When thousands of voices unite in the stadium, you completely forget any differences; you just feel extremely proud to celebrate our country together.”
Echoes Of Tradition
In Chapter 3: Go Beyond Our Size, Carnatic vocalist Sushma Soma brings the soul-stirring depth of classical Indian music to a segment honouring Singapore’s maritime roots and historical influence.
When the NDP creative team approached her to compose and perform lines in Tamil inspired by Carnatic traditions, Sushma shared that she was initially taken aback. “I called a friend to double-check if the message was real or spam!” she laughed. “I asked them, ‘Are you sure you want Carnatic music on such a massive platform?’ They said absolutely.”
Sushma’s performance forms a key part of Chapter 3’s rich world-music tapestry, where she performs a Carnatic ode to Singapore alongside songs in the Orang Laut dialect by Asnida Daud and contemporary sound sculptures by Malay duo NADA, culminating in a collaborative rendition of Song for Singapore. Placing classical Indian poetry on a national stage bridges ancient heritage with contemporary Singaporean identity.
“To see Carnatic music integrated into the parade soundtrack and performed before more than 40,000 people in the stadium is deeply humbling,” Sushma noted. “NDP shows us that one is not without the other and one is not different from the other. Everyone coming together is an integral part of our shared Singaporean ecosystem. We truly go beyond when we come together.”
Looking beyond her own segment, she is eager to watch the collaborative show elements where all genres merge seamlessly.
Diversity in Dance
Shruthi Nair takes the stage in Chapter 5: Go Beyond Our Limits, a visually captivating segment as part of the diverse dance lineup. Trained in Bharatanatyam since the age of five, Shruthi later expanded her artistic repertoire into contemporary dance and classical ballet.
Finding out about her selection via email early in the year was a moment of utter disbelief. “I thought it must have been a mistake,” Shruthi recalled. “There are so many talented classical dancers in Singapore, so it took a few days for the reality to sink in.”
Chapter 5 showcases a diverse group of dancers, including neurodiverse performers such as an autistic dancer and a dancer with Down Syndrome, highlighting how every Singaporean can contribute to our shared future regardless of background or ability. Shruthi performs alongside contemporary dancers, K-pop performers and live instrumentalists like Han Oh on the electric violin, creating a rich fusion of movements.
“We are not just performing a single dance style; Chapter 5 really celebrates diversity and embracing our differences,” she said. Backstage, she feels the electric camaraderie among the cast fuels her performance: “Watching everyone come together like the dancers, singers, and primary school children, to sing and cheer, gives you complete goosebumps.”
Childhood Dream and Youthful Harmony
Singer Thaarmin Thana Rajan, 21, represents the fresh, forward-looking generation of local musical talent. Having started learning keyboard at age seven, he developed his skills as an independent songwriter and vocalist during his National Service with the Music and Drama Company.
Performing at NDP fulfils a decade-long dream that stretches back to his childhood: “Ten years ago, in 2016, I was sitting in the audience as a Primary 5 student watching the NDP right here at the National Stadium,” Thaarmin said. “I told myself back then that one day I wanted to be on that stage performing. To be here exactly ten years later, singing for the nation, is surreal.”
Thaarmin is featured across Chapter 4: Go Beyond Time, which takes a nostalgic walk through Singapore’s television history with iconic media theme songs, and Chapter 5. Rehearsing since June, he found immense inspiration in the exuberance of Primary 5 student audiences during the National Education (NE) shows.
“Hearing the students sing the national pledge and anthem proudly is so heartwarming,” he said. As the show moves toward Chapter 6: Go Beyond, Together and the Unifying Majulah Moment – which commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Singapore Pledge – Thaarmin hopes his journey inspires young Singaporeans to pursue their passions, embrace their heritage, and go beyond together.
