In the same month as Deepavali, Gardens by the Bay (GBTB) is preparing to unveil Sunflower Surprise, a floral spectacle that celebrates India’s rich heritage and Singapore’s enduring friendship with the nation.
Opening on Oct 22, the display will transform the Flower Dome into a slice of Jaipur, India’s famed “Pink City”, brought to life with more than 3,000 sunflowers.
Presented in collaboration with the High Commission of India in Singapore, Sunflower Surprise is GBTB’s first India-themed sunflower showcase, commemorating 60 years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and India.
“We are delighted to recreate and showcase iconic Jaipur landmarks,” said Ms Melissa Tan, deputy director of conservatory operations at GBTB.
The centrepiece of the display, Hawa Mahal, was originally a palace for royal women to observe street festivities unseen. Alongside it, the Patrika Gate and Amer Stepwell highlight the beauty of Indian architecture, giving visitors a taste of India’s charm in Singapore, she said.
Earlier this year, GBTB’s design team also travelled to Jaipur for a study trip. “We learned a lot about local artists, the process of procuring their metal sculptures, and how to ensure cultural authenticity in the display,” Ms Tan said.
Beyond architecture, the display features 20 varieties of sunflowers, including several debut appearances in Singapore, such as Helianthus “Chocolate” with crimson-brown petals, Helianthus “Lemonade” with fully double lemon-yellow blooms, and Helianthus “White Nite” with tall ivory petals and chocolate-brown centres.
Ms Tan added that Sunflower Surprise was inspired by the sunflower’s deep roots in India. Introduced in the 1960s, sunflowers have since become both an oilseed crop and an ornamental flower.
While the exhibit’s full splendour will be revealed on Oct 22, much of its beauty has already taken shape through the hands of a special group of contributors.
Among the centrepieces are two majestic peacock sculptures, brought to life through a collaboration between GBTB, local bespoke hat-maker Kristine Hakim, and elderly beneficiaries from the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA) on Oct 16.
Under Ms Hakim’s guidance, the seniors carefully adorned handmade feathers with colourful glass beads and fabric embellishments, reminiscent of traditional Indian attire. Each bead, placed with patience and precision, forms the “eye” of the peacock’s feather.
For 68-year-old Charanjit Kaur Dhillon, one of the seniors involved, the experience was both calming and rewarding. “We were given the feathers of the peacock, and we put the beads onto them according to the colours, before mounting them onto the bigger frame,” she said.
“This is something I’ve never done before. Especially with Deepavali coming, I really enjoyed spending time with all the seniors together. I feel very proud, not only for myself, but for everyone who participated,” she added.
SINDA’s chief executive officer Anbarasu Rajendran said that this collaboration was designed to harness seniors’ abilities. “It gives them a sense of fulfilment and the joy of contributing to something the whole world will see. It builds confidence and reminds them that age is just a number,” he said.
He added that initiatives like this challenge the mindset of those who think “I’m old, I can’t do much,” showing that seniors can still make meaningful contributions to society.
Sunflower Surprise will run from Oct 22 to Nov 16 at the Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay. Visitors can find more details at www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/sunflower.
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19 Aug 2025 13:14
