Exciting line-up for Indian Heritage Centre’s Culture Fest 2020

Singapore’s Indian Heritage Centre (IHC) marks the 6th year of its Culture Fest with a first of its kind digital edition, scheduled to be held from Saturday, 5th September to Sunday, 20th September, 2020. 

This year the IHC Culture Fest goes hybrid with an eclectic line up of programmes both online as well as on the ground. 

The Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) presents ‘Ramar Pattabhishekam’ the epic coronation of Rama performed by SIFAS teachers, students and alumnus. Photo Courtesy: IHC
The Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) presents ‘Ramar Pattabhishekam’ the epic coronation of Rama performed by SIFAS teachers, students and alumnus. Photo Courtesy: IHC

“The festival has grown in terms of content, in terms of participation, the programmes have evolved over the years, and this year especially I have to say that we have taken a digital edition in times of what is happening around the COVID-19 situation. We are putting everything on social media platforms as well as our website, so that more people can get to enjoy what we have to offer,” Bhavani Dass, General Manager of the  IHC told Connected to India. 

The theme of Culture Fest this year revolves around the diversity, culture and heritage of Indian Arts as seen through the lens of the epic literary work – The Ramayana. 

Motherhood presents Kaikeyi, Kausalya and Sumitra - the three wives of King Dasharatha and the mothers of Rama and his brothers through Kathak, Oddisi and Kuchipudi by Pallavi Sharma, Chitra Shankar and Shanta Ratii. Photo Courtesy: IHC
Motherhood presents Kaikeyi, Kausalya and Sumitra – the three wives of King Dasharatha and the mothers of Rama and his brothers through Kathak, Oddisi and Kuchipudi by (from left to right) Pallavi Sharma, Chitra Shankar and Shantha Ratii. Photo Courtesy: IHC  

For a little over two weeks, audiences will be spoilt for choice with a varied and dynamic daily line-up of cultural performances, interactive workshops, story-telling sessions, cooking demonstrations and art installations.

Workshops at the IHC Culture Fest 2020. Photo Courtesy: IHC
Workshops at the IHC Culture Fest 2020. Photo Courtesy: IHC

These include a wide variety of dance performances that will set your feet tapping, digital cooking demonstrations to tantalise your tastebuds as well as activities and workshops for children and families to participate in. 

Digital cooking demonstrations that’ll tantalise your tastebuds that you can enjoy from the comfort of your home. Photo Courtesy: IHC
Digital cooking demonstrations that’ll tantalise your tastebuds that you can enjoy from the comfort of your home. Photo Courtesy: IHC

The digital launch on September 5 will be marked by a dance production titled Sita, based on Raja Ravi Varma’s Ramayana paintings brought to life by NHB’s Intangible Cultural Heritage award recipients, Apsaras Arts. 

Apsaras Arts uses technology to create a digital production, ‘Sita’, based on selected paintings of Raja Ravi Verma presented through music and dance. Photo Courtesy: IHC
Apsaras Arts uses technology to create a digital production, ‘Sita’, based on selected paintings of Raja Ravi Verma presented through music and dance. Photo Courtesy: IHC

Audiences can also look forward to an online dance drama by the Maya Dance Theatre showcasing the shared heritage of the Ramayana through the cross-cultural artistic journeys of 7 Singaporeans. 

Maya Dance Theatre's Ramayana, The Journey Begins at IHC Culture Fest 2020. Photo Courtesy: IHC
Maya Dance Theatre's Ramayana, The Journey Begins at IHC Culture Fest 2020. Photo Courtesy: IHC

There will also be a youth showcase of Ramayana in a contemporary context through traditional martial arts as well as dance forms and mouth-watering demonstrations on cooking by Chef Devagi Sanmugam. 

Chef Devagi Shanmugam's superfood cooking demonstration at IHC Culture Fest 2020. Photo Courtesy: IHC
Chef Devagi Sanmugam's superfood cooking demonstration at IHC Culture Fest 2020. Photo Courtesy: IHC 

Amongst the on-ground activities there are also workshops on writing an epic, drawing and painting, puppetry, an interactive Madhubani art wall as well as curator tours at the Indian Heritage Centre. 

Daily cultural shows include a performance by Omkar Arts Photo Courtesy: IHC
Daily cultural shows include a performance by Omkar Arts Photo Courtesy: IHC 

Surpanagai Koothu by AKT Productions and more culinary delights by chefs Devagi Shanmugam and Indra Iswaran are sure to get the audiences excited for IHC's Culture Fest 2020. 

Surpanagai Koothu presented by AKT Productions at Culture Fest 2020.  Photo Courtesy: IHC
Surpanagai Koothu presented by AKT Productions at Culture Fest 2020. Photo Courtesy: IHC

A cultural union of traditional Indian art forms such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kalaripayattu, Silambattam, Yoga and music will be on display in 'Ramayana in the Limelight' at the IHC Culture Fest 2020. 

Chef Indra Iswaran with digital host Sajini Naidu. Photo Courtesy: IHC
Chef Indra Iswaran with digital host Sajini Naidu. Photo Courtesy: IHC

Digital host Sajini Naidu anchors Culture Fest 2020 and helps to tie together the offerings into a unified bouquet, taking the audience on a learning journey. 

Mohiniyattam by Medasvi School of Dance, Singapore's director Haritha Haridas and team. Photo Courtesy: IHC
Mohiniyattam by Medasvi School of Dance, Singapore's director Haritha Haridas and team. Photo Courtesy: IHC

Follow this link for updates and to join the events on IHC's Facebook page.