The Indian Heritage Centre is all set to usher in the Festival of Lights, Deepavali with an array of online and on-site activities with Once Upon a Deepavali – Our Shared Stories.
IHC is putting up digital offerings that will explore the unique ways that Deepavali is observed in Singapore by tapping on the collective memory of communities, highlighting their stories, and engaging in conversations on what Deepavali and its customs and traditions mean to them.
The on-site activities will take place at the heart of Deepavali festivities in Singapore – Little India.
Here’s a look at what’s lined up:
Friday Evening Trishaw Trails
16, 23, 30 October and 6 & 13 November 2020
There will be 15-minute trishaw rides every Friday evening from to soak in the festive atmosphere, and take in the sights and sounds of Little India as the precinct ushers in the Festival of Lights.
Trishaw Trails will be free-of-charge, but registration is required on Peatix with a refundable deposit of SGD 10 to book tickets. Registration will open every Monday for the corresponding trail on Friday.
Each trishaw requires and is limited to two passengers only and will begin and end at IHC. Participants will need to arrive at IHC 10 minutes before the start of the trail whereupon temperature checks will be conducted.
Deepavali Bazaar Hunt
26 October 2020
The Deepavali Bazaar has gone digital this year, as IHC captures the festive buzz of people shopping to get ready for Deepavali in the Bazaar Hunt.
Deepavali Throwback
Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 22 October 2020
In a collaboration with Tamil Murasu, IHC’s weekly Deepavali throwback posts feature images from the Singapore Press Holdings archives depicting various facets of Deepavali Celebrations in Singapore, which include shopping at Little India, celebrations at home, inviting friends and neighbours over, and savouring festive snacks and sweets.
Deepavali Music Video
4 November 2020
The Indian Heritage Centre has commissioned a special music video for Deepavali, featuring an original song composed by local musician Shabir.
The music video will touch on themes of celebration, the importance of heritage, and the Deepavali spirit in Singapore, representing the triumph of light over darkness.
Tekka Centre Video
21 October 2020
Why is Tekka Centre a must-visit destination during the Deepavali season? What are the sights, sounds, and scents of Tekka Centre that make this an authentic experience of local Indian Culture?
IHC takes audiences through Tekka Centre – from shopping for ethnic outfits and tailoring essentials, to mouth-watering food.
Deepavali Fashion Styles Video
30 October 2020
IHC takes its audiences for a walk down memory lane with a recreation of various Deepavali OOTD of yesteryear in a video inspired by fashion styles from the 1970s to the present day, highlighting the evolution of sarees, accessories and hairdos through the decades.
Community Expressions Deepavali Edition
7 November 2020
IHC continues its digital Community Expressions programme for the year, featuring the festive food heritage of Indian festivals. For Deepavali, they will feature a celebrity Tamil couple, Vadivalagan and Vickneswari, cooking a festive dish as they reminisce about the celebrations.
Home-based Celebrations Video
28 October 2020
A series of videos that showcase different Indian families from the Tamil, Sikh, and Gujarati communities as they welcome audiences into their homes for an intimate experience of their Deepavali celebrations.
The videos aim at highlighting how the various Indian sub-communities celebrate Deepavali and some of the unique customs and traditions they observe.
Deepavali Conversations Video
24 October 2020
Youths from the different Indian sub-communities have a chat about their Deepavali stories and share memories, as well as how Deepavali celebrations may be different this year.
The conversations will reflect what they look forward to during Deepavali and what the festival means to those who celebrate it.
Deepavali Craft Video
25 October 2020
Learn how to create Deepavali Greeting cards and kolam/rangoli designs with IHC’s craft videos specially created for the whole family.