In the early 20th century, many businesses sprung up in Little India to cater to the growing Indian population in Singapore. These garland makers, goldsmiths, tailors, and shops selling saris, spices and other provisions from India flourished, and some have even become household names today. The rich experiences of these businesses are being celebrated and documented through the National Heritage Board’s (NHB) Street Corner Heritage Galleries scheme, which will be launched in the Little India precinct on 28 January 2022, with eight participating heritage businesses.
In these pictures, let's take a look at the Street Corner Heritage Galleries in Little India, Singapore.
Ananda Bhavan
Ananda Bhavan is one of the oldest Indian vegetarian restaurants in Singapore. Photo courtesy: National Heritage Board
Ananda Bhavan remains rooted to its tradition of serving quality vegetarian food to its customers. Photo courtesy: National Heritage Board
Ani Mani
Ani Mani has been renowned for traditional Indian ornaments, gold jewellery and gems. Photo courtesy: National Heritage Board
Ani Mani routinely conducts a prayer session at their in-store altar when Hindu families come to collect their commissioned thali. Photo courtesy: National Heritage Board
Haniffa Textiles
Haniffa sold the lighter Japan-made nylex sari. Photo courtesy: National Heritage Board
Haniffa Textiles first began operations as a small roadside stall along Campbell Lane. Photo courtesy: National Heritage Board
Jothi Store
Jothi Store and Flower Shop was established in 1960. Photo courtesy: National Heritage Board
Jothi Store and Flower Shop gained a reputation for its wide selection of items used in Indian religious ceremonies and rituals. Photo courtesy: National Heritage Board
Komala Vilas
Founded in 1947, generations of patrons have been flocking to Komala Vilas to enjoy its Indian vegetarian food. Photo courtesy: National Heritage Board
Komala Vilas is known to be amongst the first eateries in Little India to employ women in a customer-facing role as cashiers. Photo courtesy: National Heritage Board
SIS Premium Meats
Sinnasamy Irudayasamy opened his own mutton stall, named S I Samy, in 1953 in the old Tekka Market. Photo courtesy: National Heritage Board
For more than 60 years, SIS Premium Meats has been supplying quality meat to customers at Little India. Photo courtesy: National Heritage Board
Thandapani Co
Thandapani Co was founded by Sanmugam, who came to Singapore in 1946. Photo courtesy: National Heritage Board
Thandapani Co has been stocking all types of spices and common ingredients used in Asian cooking. Photo courtesy: National Heritage Board
The Banana Leaf Apolo
The Banana Leaf Apolo is well known for upholding the South Indian tradition of serving food on banana leaves since its establishment in 1974. Photo courtesy: National Heritage Board
The Banana Leaf Apolo has been known for its fish head curry. Photo courtesy: National Heritage Board
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