Well-known Ishtara Jewellery is expanding, and plans to open a second outlet at the iconic Komala Vilas Restaurant location along the heavy-footfall Serangoon Road thoroughfare during the Deepavali season.
With Deepavali falling on Sunday, Nov 8, sales of key items such as jewellery and silk sarees in the Little India area tend to pick up about a month ahead of the festival.
Ishtara’s current flagship outlet is across the road at 111 Serangoon Road and specialises in 22 carat gold and diamond jewellery. The former Komala Vilas location is at 76-78 Serangoon Road.
Explaining the expansion, Ishtara owner Parthiban Murugaiyan told tabla!: “Expanding Ishtara has always been on my mind, and we feel fortunate to have secured this unit.
“I consider it an auspicious location, with a rich heritage and a special place in the hearts of many Singaporeans. This expansion reinforces our brand presence in the heart of Little India, allowing us to serve our customers on a larger scale.”
Ishtara and sister brand Luvenus Jewellery jointly have nine outlets across Singapore and Hong Kong currently, excluding the upcoming outlet.
Of those outlets, eight operate under Luvenus Jewellery - a sister brand catering to mainstream tastes. In the recent Changi Tenant Awards 2026, Luvenus Jewellery was named the recipient of the Top Online Retail Tenant Growth Award - its third recognition from Changi Airport Group over the past 14 years.
Meanwhile, the previous occupant — Komala Vilas has become a household name in Singapore since it was established by Mr Rajakumar’s grandfather Mr. O.M. Rajoo in 1947.
The restaurant was subsequently run by Mr Rajkumar’s father Mr Rajoo Gunasekaran, who died in 2020 aged 68. Komala Vilas made the front page in 2015, when Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong hosted his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to a sizzling thosai meal there.
