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The Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (Sifas) will commemorate its 75th year of enriching Singapore’s cultural landscape by staging the Sifas Festival of Arts from April 12 to May 1.
Organised along with SIFAS Productions, the event will celebrate the institution’s legacy as the heart of Indian arts in Singapore.
Established in 1949, Sifas, a non-profit organisation, has been a cornerstone of Indian cultural heritage in Singapore, fostering art and cultural appreciation through its diverse disciplines.
Themed Virasata: Celebrating a Timeless Legacy of Arts, the festival will feature more than 75 programmes and serve as a curtain-raiser to Sifas’ diamond jubilee celebrations, which will extend for a year.
From kathak and bharatanatyam performances, a visual arts exhibition and arts and craft workshops to renditions of Hindustani and Carnatic vocals, it will showcase the depth and diversity of Indian cultural heritage.
“We are thrilled to present the Sifas Festival of Arts as a tribute to Sifas’ illustrious journey over the past 75 years,” said Sifas president K.V. Rao. “This festival not only celebrates our heritage but also embraces the future of Indian arts, showcasing the talents of both emerging artistes and iconic maestros.”
Sifas’ executive director Menaka Gopalan said: “The 75th anniversary milestone is being celebrated with Sifas collaborating with organisations as well as leaders in the arts industry, both locally and globally.
“We have also made a conscious effort with our outreach towards different communities, including the underrepresented, to promote arts and mental well-being.”
The festival will be staged at the Sifas Stage and Esplanade-Theatres on the Bay.
The highlights include RaGa Sangamam – a Carnatic vocal duet concert featuring Ranjani and Gayatri (RaGa Sisters) on April 21 from 7.30pm at the Esplanade Theatre. They will be accompanied by Vittal Rangan (violin), Delhi Sairam (mridangam) and S. Krishna (ghatam).
On April 27 from 7pm at the Esplanade, Sifas will feature Rukmini Kalyanam, a dance-drama in collaboration with Chennai’s acclaimed Kalakshetra Foundation.
Choreographed by the late Rukmini Devi Arundale with music by Thuraiyur Rajagopala Sarma, the production follows the love story of Rukmini and Sri Krisha, touching on themes of devotion, loyalty and familial ties.
Classical Confluence – a Hindustani and Carnatic music jugalbandhi featuring maestros Pandit Jayateerth Mevundi and Abhishek Raghuram will be held on April 28, from 7pm, at the Esplanade Theatre. They will be accompanied by Karthik Nagraj (violin), Arjun Kumar (mridangam), Panduranga Pawar (tabla) and Milind Kulkarni (harmonium).
Sifas is Singapore’s pioneer academy in imparting knowledge of Indian classical music, dance and visual arts. Its philosophy is portrayed in its motto in Sanskrit: Kala Samskrithi Lakshanam, meaning “Art characterises civilisation”.
More than 60,000 students have graduated from from it over the years.
“This festival not only celebrates our heritage but also embraces the future of Indian arts, showcasing the talents of both emerging artistes and iconic maestros.”
