Little India comes alive during the festive season and this April there will be more excitement as it coincides with the Tamil New Year.
Organised by the Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association along with 16 other Indian ethnic associations/societies , the festival will present various aspects of Indian culture, practices, traditions, rituals and arts. Held at Little India, Clive Street – POLI Site and Indian Heritage Centre, some of the highlights include Canvas Our Tradition, Chithira Vizha, Colours of Kathakali and The Carnival ’19. This is the 10th season of this annual festival which is being organised at a cost of over $120,000. According to Rajakumar Chandra, Chairman of LISHA, the festival received some government funding but the rest of the money comes from the shopkeepers in the vicinity.
Canvas Our Tradition: On this day, the associations will come together as a community and install the digital print on wooden canvases establishing the beginning of Indian Cultural Fiesta. The Artworks will be on display for viewing till August. Unlike our years of exhibition & cultural shows, this year we would be showcasing houses of every ethnicity.
Date: April 7, 2019
Time: 9am – 1pm
Venue: Poli Site, Clive Street
Chithirai Vizha: To commemorate the Chithirai Festival, the special theatrical programme will be organised on the April 13, 2019. Minister K Shanmugam will grace the opening of Chithirai Vizha to kick start the celebrations in conjunction with the Tamil Language Festival 2019.
This year’s Drama being a Bharathiyaar edition, will lure Theatre and Tamil Language lovers as we showcase Bharathiyaar’s life story. Presented by SB drama group from India, being on their world tour, so far having performed in Australia, Oman and many parts in India. Singapore being the first Asian country they are performing in.
Tickets available at Indian Heritage Centre
Date: April 13, 2019
Time: 6.30pm
Venue: PGP Hall, 397 Serangoon Road, Singapore 218123
Colours Of Kathakali: In collaboration with the Singapore Malayalee Association, a colourful workshop is organised for participants to learn about the interesting art of Kathakali painting.
This workshop allows participants to understand the artform and the significant details behind the make-up of the kathakali performer. Participants will get to paint their own Kathakali portrait and take away as a souvenir.
Date: May 4, 2019
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Venue: Indian Heritage Centre
The Carnival’19: POLI Site, Clive Street will be transformed into a mini cultural carnival exposing the culture and traditions of the different associations. This event will be entertained with cultural performances by the associations (such as Mass Thiruvathirai performances by 20 traditionally dressed ladies from Malayalee Association, Silambattam by TLCS, Kuchipudi by Telugu Samajam), interactive activities (such as Arwi Writing by Singapore Kadayanallur Muslim League where names of any visitors to the booth will be written in Arabic & given to them as souvenir, handmade Thalappa(head gear) by Peranakan Chetti Association & Varli Painting by Hindi Society which will be done on bookmarks & envelopes for visitors take away) and food trucks with local dishes that lures everyone.
The POLI Site is also beautified with fairy lights around and classic canvas art showcasing the traditional houses of the different ethnic associations.
Date: April 26, 2019 (pre event)
Time: 6pm – 10pm
Main event:
Date: April 27, 2019
Time 10am–10pm
Venue: POLI Site, Clive Street
