For a period of time, Mountbatten MP Lim Biow Chuan had thought that Pongal was the only harvest festival celebrated by Indians in Singapore.
Last Saturday, he learnt that it is only the Tamil version of the thanksgiving festivity – which has different names across India, such as Makar Sankranthi in Maharashtra, Peddha Panduga in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Magh Bihu in Assam, Makaravilakku in Kerala, Lohri in Punjab, Uttarayana in Jammu and Sakrat in Haryana.
He watched fascinated as members of Maharashtra Mandal Singapore and Kamala Club also showcased the festival’s Maharashtrian and Telugu traditions at the Katong Community Centre.
Dolls, dresses, headgears, decorations and food items stood out at the stalls put up by both organisations.
The vibrant three-hour event, organised by People’s Association and Narpani Pearavai and supported by Mountbatten CC’s Indian activity executive committee (IAEC), Katong Community Club management committee, PAssionArtsCouncil and Mountbatten CC’s Malay activity executive committee (MAEC), also saw the display of a traditional South Indian village house and Pongal pot – beautifully decorated by Ms Sujatha Krishnan.
More than 200 residents and guests enjoyed delicious festive treats as members of different Indian groups performed songs and dances together.
The grand finale was a joint drumming performance featuring the Maharashtrian dhol and the Tamil urumi, which symbolised the unity in diversity that defines both the Indian community and Singapore’s multicultural spirit.
“Learnt more about the different Indian cultures and dances each community has,” said Mr Lim. “Glad that many residents came to learn about the different harvest festivals.
“The celebration showed the importance of racial harmony that Singapore holds so dearly. It brought people together, fostering mutual respect and understanding.”
Typically celebrated on Jan 14, Makar Sankranti marks the transition of the sun from the zodiac of Sagittarius to Capricorn, which indicates a new beginning. Communities in India and other countries in South-east Asia offer prayers to solar deity Surya on that day.
“This year, we wanted to portray other harvest festivals as we also have non-Tamils in Mountbatten,” said Ms Aaarti Naidu, chairperson of Mountbatten CC IAEC. “Sankranti is celebrated by different Indian communities in different ways. We wanted our residents to understand that.
“Indians, Malays, Chinese, all got together to celebrate the festival at Katong CC. It was a vibrant atmosphere, with emcee Amataul Jameel Suhani, a Malay, introducing the different harvest festivals and explaining their significance.”
Mountbatten CC MAEC vice-chairperson Juriah Naam felt the event was well-organised and thoughtfully set up. “It was a wonderful initiative by the Mountbatten CC IAEC committee to revive the kampong spirit while educating residents about various Indian cultures in such an enjoyable way,” she said.
“The effort put into the decorations was greatly appreciated, especially the village-like displays, which were made entirely from recycled materials. The stage performances were equally entertaining and engaging, with residents thoroughly enjoying themselves, even dancing to the drumbeats. It was heartwarming to see non-Indians actively participating as well.
“We were also given the opportunity to set up a booth to educate residents about Malay culture, where we taught them how to create a bunga manggar (decorative flowers used to mark special and auspicious occasions). The response was overwhelmingly positive, with many actively participating and even successfully completing a few creations.”
Mountbatten resident Poh Choo Yap pointed said the event fostered a sense of harmony, free from discrimination among races.
“I strongly encourage organising such events annually to promote cross-cultural understanding and appreciation,” he said. “The most meaningful element was the sense of community bonding, as everyone came together to celebrate the spirit of gratitude and abundance.”
