Drums are an integral part of any Indian folk arts gathering, but there was someone very special playing the giant drum at Anandha Kondaattam 2025, the vibrant Indian cultural festival whose venue was the DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre at Esplanade, Singapore.
Held on 29-30 August 2025, showcasing the traditional folk arts of Indians, Anandha Kondaattam had Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong vigorously beating a huge drum like a pro, drawing loud cheers from the audience.
Sharing the video on Instagram this morning, PM Wong wrote: “It was a joy to experience the richness of Indian folk traditions, capped off with a rousing finale featuring Chinese and Malay drums — a powerful reminder of our multi-cultural identity.
“Culture is not only about honouring our roots. It is about keeping them alive and vibrant, so they continue to inspire us today and for generations to come. My thanks to the organisers and community for bringing this meaningful celebration to life.”
Anandha Kondaattam 2025 described itself as “a vibrant celebration of Singapore’s Indian diasporic communities and the broader society, reflecting the shared values of SG60. As part of Singapore’s 60th independence anniversary celebrations, the festival will align with SG60’s theme, ‘Building Our Singapore Together,’ by showcasing the rich traditions of Indian folk arts while fostering unity and cultural bonds.”
Approximately 100 performers, local and international artistes were on the festival stage “to present immersive showcases rooted in Indian folk traditions with contemporary twists”.
Honouring the multi-cultural nature of Singapore society, the festival featured “interactive audience segments, bilingual hosts, and performances that span sub-ethnic expressions within Singapore’s Indian community — Tamils, Malayalees, Sikhs, Gujaratis — alongside collaborations with other cultural groups”.
This festival was “backed by over 20 over arts organisations” in Singapore, and had about 5,000 people in the audience.
