Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society

Tonight was the golden jubilee celebrations and fund raising dinner of SIFAS. It was a last minute invite by DBS to sit at their table. I didn’t know anyone at the table and no one appeared to be talking at that table. All in all a rather boring table.

I have come across this society when I was growing up. Perhaps my sister took some dancing lessons there when she was very young? Or I attended their concerts?

They conduct Indian classical music and dance lessons and over the years many students have gone through their doors. They arrange performances for their students and teachers and performances by artists from India. One in particular was by the legendary late U Srinivas.

Tonight’s dinner was at Global Indian International School at Punggol. I have not been to that area but it was a huge and impressive campus. The event was graced by President Tharman who gave a short delightful impromptu speech.

The opening performance was so so and a bit too long. Pity. Perhaps it was the sound system? The food was only average. Sounded fancier on paper than how it actually tasted.

Traditionally the arts have always been the domain of the well to do. They had the time and money to indulge in it and they could encourage their children to learn and practice the arts. With their wealth, they have also been the patrons of arts and culture. To a large extent the arts have been kept alive by them, to which we must be grateful.

I do however hope that they  can reach out to more Indians in Singapore, especially those who are not well off. I accept it is difficult to indulge in arts and culture when you are trying to earn a living just to make ends meet and feed the family. But it would be a pity if the younger ones don’t get the opportunity to at least learn or even know a bit of the arts and the culture that they belong to.

The video of the history of the society showed that it was started by some well off Indians who wanted their sons and daughters to learn Indian classical music and dance. Their children and grandchildren have continued this tradition. The expat Indian community, which is generally better off, was well represented at the dinner and many of their children are probably the ones who participate in these classes. Not sure how many Indians outside of this group participate in their activities and how welcoming they are of them.

I thought it was a pity that the society, which has  lasted 75 years, didn’t acquire premises of their own earlier when properties were affordable so that they have a permanent home. They are still leasing premises from the Government on short term leases.