Indian community works on Gandhi’s principles of non-violence, says Rao
The refurbished and refreshed Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hall (MGMH) in Singapore’s Little India precinct has been reopened to public, continuing the spirit of the Mahatma’s principles of love for humanity, non-violence and harmony which are ever more relevant to current times.
Built with Indian community fundings after first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru laid its foundation during his Singapore visit in June 1950, MGMH has served as a beacon for the Indian community to commemorate the memory and teachings of Gandhi, through celebrations, festivities and community events.
It was first opened to the public on 25 April 1953, by then British High Commissioner Malcom MacDonald.
Mahatma Gandhi is a powerful symbol of peace amongst all people of the world. “In Singapore, that has a highly multi ethnic and multi religious society, MGMH helps to bring the community together, and promotes the values of non-violence, peace, harmony, serving the cause of human unity,” said K V Rao, President of Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS).
“In today’s troubled world, the spirit of Gandhian values, is ever more needed, and SIFAS’s mission of promoting classical Indian arts was synergistic – providing greater aesthetic appreciation and promoting higher values of life, through the pursuit of arts,” Rao said, adding that SIFAS took 5 months to complete renovation and refurbishment of the MGMH.
“Hopefully we will make a silent difference in bringing some peace, tranquility and joy into peoples’ lives! SIFAS took upon itself to beautifully refurbish the premises and create a modern auditorium, performing spaces and cutting-edge facilities, something we and our community can be proud of,” said Rao, who is also Resident Director – ASEAN of TATA Group.
“The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hall is open to all in the community to come forward and take part in the activities,” Rao said on 20 Jan 2022.
“Given that it is an old building of 1953, great care was exercised to maintain the heritage aspects, protect its façade and character while introducing modernity, embellishment of Indian arts and Gandhian memorabilia alongside world class facilities.”
“We will also be celebrating Gandhi Jayanthi (birth anniversary) with live performances of his favourite bhajans, along with other activities for the youth,” said Rao of the coming events at MGMH.
Rao also elaborated on SIFAS’ expansion with its Annexe @ MGMH and its role as a platform for the promotion Arts such as holding classes in Bharatanatyam, Hindustani vocal, Harmonium, Bhajans, Ghazals, Carnatic Vocal and our newly launched Early Childhood Programme, Vikasa.
“Along with our new program for the pre-schoolers which introduces them to Indian art forms, music and dance early in life, SIFAS plans to offer programs for the silver generation and lesser represented groups of our community. Artistic appreciation is believed to lead to a better emotional and mental well-being, which is much needed today,” he said.
“SIFAS Annexe at MGMH will create a vibrant centre of arts, for use of all communities, to pursue the arts and also to host events or simply visit and refresh oneself of the values that Mahatma Gandhi stood for,” SIFAS Executive Director Menaka Gopalan told PTI.
SIFAS is a 73-year old pioneer Indian Arts institution in Singapore that houses 18 disciplines with a pan-Indian curriculum and are in partnership with reputed institutions like Kalakshetra, Kathak Kendra and most recently, Delhi University, she said.
“Throughout the years, we have hosted a multitude of internationally renowned artistes who have performed on our stage and look forward to continue strengthening our ties with our partners through academic, artistic and cultural exchange.
“The SIFAS Annexe at MGMH is a premium performing space for the arts – be it music recitals, dance performances, art exhibitions, conferences, meetings, workshops and digital productions. The premises which include the studios and Auditorium are available to the community for rent and multi-purpose use,” said Gopalan.
Singapore has an eclectic mix of Indian ethnicities and SIFAS has collaborations with 18 different Indian community groups in Singapore and will be partnering with them to promote greater appreciation of each other’s cultural nuances, she said.
The library section has a beautiful specially commissioned work of Anjali Venkat, a local artist, which has an imposing and benign visage of Mahatma Gandhi made from recycled pieces of cotton. The library, and some very valuable and archival memorabilia of Mahatma Gandhi have been nicely exhibited.
“MGMH also serves as a space to appreciate the many forms of Indian arts and that is very much reflected in the curated artworks throughout the premises,” Gopalan said.
The ‘Vikasa’ studio – (pre-shoolers section) displays illustrations of Indian puppetry such as bommalattam from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, tholpavakoothu from Kerala, and Kathputli from Rajasthan, as an homage to the rich diversity and artistic heritage of the Indian community.
Floating sculptures of mudras from Bharatanatyam and Kathak dance forms beautify our stairwells. These sculptures are made from plaster using moulds of SIFAS teachers’ hands and painted to look like aged bronze. Many of the artworks displayed in the premises were created in- house by Ryan Thiagarajan, Manager of Programmes & IT at SIFAS.
“We also feature artistic works of S Rajam, a distinguished Carnatic musician and painter from Tamil Nadu with a long association with Madras Music Academy, whose life-like sketches of Carnatic and Hindustani maestros are inspirational to our visitors,” she said.
“The SIFAS Annexe at MGMH is an iconic space for one to experience history, culture, and the arts, and has been revitalised to continue its tradition of being a hub for the community to learn, appreciate and celebrate its rich and diverse heritage,” Gopalan said. fiinews.com
