The Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association (LISHA), founded in 2000 by the Singapore Tourism Board, aims to preserve Little India’s heritage and promote Indian culture through significant celebrations. LISHA’s events educate the public about Indian festivals and encourage exploration of local products, supporting local businesses.As the Indian and Tamil New Year approaches, LISHA has organized a series of events to celebrate this festive period. The Tamil community, one of Singapore’s four major ethnic groups, celebrates Tamil New Year on April 14, alongside other Indian communities. LISHA promotes inclusivity through its Indian New Year (INY) event, fostering understanding among various Indian ethnic groups in Singapore. They are excited to find new ways to engage the public in the celebrations.
Indian New Year & Tamil New Year Celebrations of 2022:
Each year, the Indian and Tamil New Year Celebrations in Little India are vibrant, featuring nearly one hundred majestic street banners along Serangoon Road. This year, we will enhance this tradition with a striking display. In celebration of the Tamil Language Festival, the theme showcases “ThiruValluvar,” an ancient Tamil poet known for his thousand couplets, or “Kural,” on various aspects of life. Each banner will feature a “Kural” alongside the sponsor’s name, with half in English and half in Tamil, and a sketched image of ThiruValluvar. we anticipate a more engaging and safe celebration.
Fringe Events:
To engage more people in the Indian and Tamil New Year celebrations, LISHA has organized a series of events and activities designed to enhance the festive spirit. A total of seven events held on April 17, 2022. Event took Placed at the Indian Heritage Centre (IHC), One Farrer Hotel Ballroom, and the rooftop pavilion at Tekkah .
Street Banners :
LISHA is commemorating the Indian New Year, which coincides with the Tamil New Year, by adopting the theme of “Thiru Valluvar” for this year’s celebration. This theme highlights his teachings on proper conduct and comprehensive human values. Thiru Valluvar’s wisdom has been translated into numerous languages, including Chinese and Japanese. In tribute to his enduring legacy, LISHA plans to install 100 street banners along both sides of Serangoon Road. Each banner will stand 3.5 meters tall and 1.2 meters wide, showcasing a Thiru Valluvar proverb in either English or Tamil, accompanied by a simplified interpretation.
Indian exhibition :
Tamil, one of Singapore’s official languages, is also the world’s oldest language. While Tamil is widely spoken, there are other Indian communities in Singapore that do not say it. LISHA is committed to making the Indian New Year celebrations inclusive for all. We have identified 14 to 16 communities, including Malayalee, Punjabi, and Telugu. The exhibition theme is music, with each community contributing a musical instrument representing their ethnicity and a brief write-up about their presence in Singapore. 14 to 16 panels set for the exhibition in the gallery hall of the Indian Heritage Centre (IHC).
Indian New Year cultural show:
The annual Indian New Year (INY) celebration featured diverse dance performances from various Indian communities in Singapore, including Tamil organizations TLCS and TRC, as well as groups from Malayalee, Punjabi, and Telugu communities. Each group presented a five to eight-minute dance segment during the two-hour event, conducted in English.
Chithirai kalai vizha:
The “Chithirai Kalai Vizha” is a cultural event celebrating the Tamil New Year, coinciding with other Indian New Year festivities. “Chithirai” refers to the first month of the Tamil calendar, “Kalai” means arts, and “Vizha” means celebrations. A highlight was a one-hour address in Tamil by renowned narrator Isai Kavi Mr. Ramanan on philosopher ThiruValluvar. The two-hour program also featured classical dance and music performances and was attended by Minister Vivian Balakrishnan as the Guest of Honour.
Sharing Session with Isai Kavi :
Isai Kavi Ramanan is a well-known public speaker and narrator in India, fluent in both English and Tamil. 2022’s Indian New Year theme is “ThiruValluvar,” held by two public sharing sessions. Mr. Ramanan will speak in Tamil during the first session and in English during the second, covering topics related to “ThiruKural” and interacting with attendees.
School Experience program:
This program for upper primary and secondary school students. Each session hosted by maximum of 20 students per school, divided into four groups of 5. Students rotate through five booths (A, B, C, D, and E) completing tasks related to Saree Draping, Traditional Games, a “Thirukural” Quiz, friendly competition among the groups, Musical Instruments, and Dance. All received a small gift for participation.
YOGA for all:
The two-day yoga program held to educate attendees about the diverse Indian cultures in Singapore. Many participants interestingly participated in yoga program.
