The resonant tones of violins, mridangams, flutes, and choral harmonies filled the Ho Bee Auditorium at the University Cultural Centre on Oct 5, as the Singapore Indian Orchestra and Choir (SIOC) staged its milestone 40th anniversary gala concert – Naada Yatra: A Voyage of Sound.
The grand performance, supported by the Temasek Foundation and the National Arts Council, was more than a musical showcase; it was a celebration of resilience, reinvention, and relevance in Singapore’s multicultural arts landscape.
Graced by Guest of Honour, Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth and Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash and with a special performance conducted by Senior Parliamentary Secretary Eric Chua, who is also MP for Queenstown SMC and adviser to SIOC, Naada Yatra brought to a rousing close a year-long anniversary programme that has seen community concerts, digital presentations, and a forthcoming commemorative coffee table book.
Founded in 1985 under the People’s Association as the People’s Association Indian Orchestra (PAIO), SIOC has evolved over the decades into a flagship ensemble for Indian choral and orchestral music in Singapore.
Spearheaded by its artistic director and conductor, Mrs Lalitha Vaidyanathan, SIOC has grown from modest roots into one of Singapore’s largest and most versatile Indian music ensembles, proudly embracing both tradition and innovation.
Its transformation into an independent performing arts company in 2021, following policy changes by the People’s Association, marked a significant turning point.
Forced to vacate its premises with no financial reserves, closure loomed. However through resilience, strategic partnerships – including a barter arrangement with PA and grants from NAC and the Temasek Foundation – SIOC weathered the storm and reinvented itself as a company limited by guarantee, allowing it to secure critical funding and institutional support.
SIOC’s journey has not been without challenges. “We had to learn how to arrange parts for a Carnatic orchestra – there were no fixed scores like in Western classical music,” said Mrs Lalitha. “It meant writing harmonies and parts that were outside our training, while coordinating members aged from teens to 60s, all juggling studies, jobs, and families.”
Yet, the spirit of volunteerism, friendship, and a shared passion for music kept the group going. “Every Sunday rehearsal feels like coming home,” she added. “Music is the air I breathe.”
The Naada Yatra concert encapsulated SIOC’s versatility – from carnatic to cinematic, western to multiethnic, classical to experimental. Highlights included:
Four World Premieres: Bespoke compositions by acclaimed musicians Dr John Sharpley and Mr Embar Kannan, and two original works by emerging women composers.
A Tribute in Lalita Ragam: A specially composed “Ragam Tanam Pallavi” honouring the legacy of the founder Mrs Lalitha.
Multilingual Medley for SG60: A stirring multiethnic medley of Chinese, Malay, Tamil, and English songs composed by Radha Vijayan and conducted by Mr Chua.
Revival of the jalatarangam: The water-based percussion instrument was reintroduced to the stage in Singapore, offering a soundscape rarely heard today.
75 Musicians in Harmony: A stage filled with a multiethnic ensemble and Asian-Western instrumentalists performing with SIOC and its youth wing, SIYOC.
Youth Brilliance: SIYOC dazzled with a “Sapta Tala Ragamalika” – a rhythmic mosaic of seven ragams and seven talams.
Minister of State Dinesh lauded SIOC’s impact on Singapore’s cultural fabric: “Celebrating your 40th anniversary against the SG60 backdrop is deeply symbolic. SIOC has grown into a semi-professional orchestra, affirming the vibrancy of Indian classical music in a Singaporean voice.”
He praised the group’s efforts to engage youth, multicultural collaboration, and its ability to fuse tradition with innovation: “SIOC has made Indian classical music accessible and relevant to modern audiences, and the launch of the Singapore Culture Pass will help even more Singaporeans connect with such rich heritage.”
MP Chua echoed this sentiment during his segment conducting the SG60 song: “SIOC isn’t just about music – it’s about unity. It’s about preserving heritage while embracing diversity. It’s my honour to serve as their advisor.”
While rooted in the Carnatic tradition, SIOC has never been rigid. Its openness to cinematic, jazz, and western influences has drawn a wide base of the Indian community – including those who may not otherwise engage with traditional arts.
Through community concerts at libraries, CCs, museums, and digital media like its YouTube channel Digital Gems, it continues to grow its reach.
SIOC has been a cultural anchor for Singaporean Indians – a place to reconnect with heritage, especially for youth.
“We are not only performers; we are teachers, custodians, and cultural ambassadors,” said Mrs Lalitha. “We have over 250 original arrangements and we’re passing these on to the next generation – digitally archived, ready for the future.”
With 80 musicians across SIOC and its youth wing SIYOC, the organisation’s future is secure. SIYOC, launched in 2022, has already staged full concerts and digital productions, showing that the flame is being passed on with care.
“Working with maestros, seeing unsure students grow into confident performers, and feeling the warmth of every audience – that’s why we do this,” Mrs Lalitha reflects. “This orchestra is a family.”
With Singapore turning 60 and SIOC turning 40, Naada Yatra was more than a concert – it was a heartfelt reminder of how music, when rooted in passion and shared purpose, can carry the voice of a community across decades, and across cultures.
