Bigger Indian New Year celebrations to mark SG50
SINGAPORE — The annual Indian New Year celebrations in Little India are set to become more festive this year in honour of Singapore’s 50th year of independence.
For the first time, the celebrations feature a street light-up along Serangoon Road that began from April 10 and will end on May 30, while the biennial UTSAV street parade has been held over from last year to coincide with SG50.
UTSAV is derived from the Sanskrit word “utsava”, meaning festival or celebration.
The parade will showcase a bullock-cart procession — also a first — along Race Course Road accompanied by floats and a chariot, and 500 performers will be participating, the most ever for the parade.
The celebrations are organised by the Hindu Endowments Board and Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association (LISHA), supported by the Indian Activity Executive Committees, which is part of the People’s Association.
Fireworks will mark the end of the celebrations, which are set to take place from tomorrow to May 1.
The festival this year also aims to highlight various Indian ethnic groups, such as the Tamils, Malayalees and Telugus, who celebrate the New Year on different days.
Fifteen ethnic organisations will showcase their traditions, customs, heritage and practices at a fair on a vacant lot opposite Serangoon Plaza.
Said LISHA chairman Rajakumar Chandra at a media briefing on the celebrations yesterday: “This rare display of unity is not found anywhere else in the world and is unique only to Singapore. I want people to understand that the Indian community is very diverse and that all the different factions vary. It would be great if others learn about the different cultures and traditions within the Indian community and can understand how special they are.”
Guided tours will also be held from Monday to April 30 from 11am to 5pm for schools and tourists to learn about Indian culture, heritage, customs and traditions. Jordon Simpson
