For the first time ever, the Singapore Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) has collaborated with 11 associations in Singapore who came together to celebrate a common love for the fine arts and to exude a sense of positivity for the future amidst the COVID-19 gloom.
'Raise your light' saw – AKT(Tamil), Kannada, Telugu, Maharashtra, Bengali, Gujarati, Malayalee, Tagore, Khalsa(Punjabi), Kodava and Soorya – associations of Singapore participating in a unique 'Sangamam' or confluence.
The 10-min performances of each region’s cultural dance, sent by the 11 associations, were launched digitally on SIFAS' Facebook page from the November 25 to 29.
SIFAS' Facebook page had a large viewership for the entire 5 days, with encouraging feedback and its page following also went up by 40-50 percent, the SIFAS team shared.
If you haven't caught the performances or would like to revisit them, click on the links given below:
On Wednesday, 25 November 2020, AKT Creations International represented the Tamil community in Singapore.
AKT Creations
Since the arrival of Mr. Narayana Pillai in 1819, the Tamil population has grown exponentially to become the largest segment of the South Indian population in Singapore. The community has several well-known organizations that represent their art and culture while engaging in various activities that promote its social and economic welfare.
The next day Thursday, 26 November 2020 had the Kannada Sangha Singapore, the Singapore Telugu Samajam and the Maharashtra Mandal Singapore performing in the morning, noon and evening respectively.
The Kannada Sangha Singapore
The Kannada Sangha representing the Kannada culture in Singapore, promotes intercultural understanding as well as recreational and social welfare. The society has been organizing several events and Kannada dramas since 1988 (formally registered in 1996).
The Singapore Telugu Samajam
The Telugu samajam represents the Telugu culture in Singapore, with a vision to create a happy telugu community. It is dedicated to preserving their rich cultural heritage by providing a platform for all ages while responding to the changing needs of their community.
The Maharashtra Mandal Singapore
Maharashtra Mandal, representing the Marathi culture, is a vibrant organization that nurtures and encourages artistic talent and organizes several events throughout the year to celebrate their music, art and culture.
On Friday, 27 November 2020 the Bengali, Gujarati and Malayalee Associations of Singapore had their performances.
The Bengali Association, Singapore
The Bengali Association representing the Bengali culture performed in the morning. It has been organizing several cultural events such as Rabindra-Nazrul Jayanti and the much celebrated Durga Pujo festivities to promote and preserve their music and art.
The Gujarati Society, Singapore
The Singapore Gujarati Society representing the Gujarati culture, performed at noon. Building a strong sense of unity on the foundation of harmony, mutual acceptance and peaceful co-existence, the Gujarati Society organizes many programs and events to uphold their tradition and values.
The Singapore Malayalee Association
The Singapore Malayalee Association representing the Malayalee culture, performed a captivating Mohiniyattam in the evening. Founded in 1917, the mission of SMA is to integrate the Malayalees into a cohesive community while engaging them with cultural, social, educational programs.
Saturday, 28 November 2020 the Tagore Society, honouring the body of work by Sri Rabindranath Tagore performed in the morning, while the Khalsa Association and the Kodava community performed in the noon and evening respectively.
The Tagore Society, Singapore
Nobel laureate in literature, Tagore is known to have modernized Bengali art by discarding the rigid classical forms. Two of his compositions have been chosen by two countries as their national anthem: India: “Jana Gana Mana” and Bangladesh: “Amar Shonar Bangla”.
The Singapore Khalsa Association
The Khalsa association represents the Sikh culture. Initiated in 1699, by the tenth guru, Guru Govind Singh, the Khalsa tradition is the foundation for the Sikh political and religious visions and is dedicated to enhance and strengthen the quality of culture, sport and education in their youth and the community.
The Kodava Community
The Kodava Community- representing the Kodagu culture of Karnataka has festivities that are centred around agriculture and their military policies.
Traditionally, the Kodavas have lived in Kodagu, near the western ghats of Karnataka, cultivating their land and embracing their native culture, which is considered ethnically distinct from the rest of the state. 00000000000
Sunday, 29 November 2020 saw the series coming to an end with the launch of the performance of Soorya.
Soorya (Singapore)
Soorya (Singapore) – representing Indian art and culture – is dedicated to showcasing different forms of Indian art, providing a wider audience to some of the dying folk art and encouraging and promoting promising young local talent. They organize several events throughout the year.