There was food. There was music and there were 400kg of coloured powder imported from India.
Add 3,000 Indians to the mix and you get a colourful fiesta. They were there at a field in Tanjong Rhu on March 25 to celebrate Holi.
The celebrations were a joint effort by the Marwari Mitra Mandal (Singapore), Singapore Sindhi Association, Maharashtra Mandal (Singapore) and Singapore Gujarati Society in partnership with the Katong Community Centre (CC) management committee. The event was also supported by the Kamala Club.
Mountbatten SMC MP Lim Biow Chuan was the guest of honour at the event. He gamely had his face and clothing smeared with the coloured powder.
According to Marwari Mitra Mandal president Santosh Kumar Tibarewala, 64, the coloured powder – made of corn flour – was imported from India.
“The Festival of Holi has (an) ancient origin and celebrates the triumph of good over bad. Holi Mela 2016 (brings) together the different communities and celebrates the importance of racial harmony in Singapore,” Mr Lim, who is also Deputy Speaker of Parliament, was quoted by The Straits Times as saying.
Marwari Mitra Mandal (Singapore).
Deputy high commisioner of India to Singapore Paramita Tripathi and first secretary (commerce) Pradyumn Tripathi were also present.
There were many colourful cultural programmes performed by community groups and when hit Bollywood music was played, the crowd had a great time dancing to the beat.
Earlier, on March 22, the Marwari Mitra Mandal and Singapore Gujarati Society jointly organised the Holika Dahan at the courtyard of Sri Sivan Temple Geylang East. They lit a pyre to signify Holika Dahan. The ritual symbolises the victory of good over evil.
Those present gathered around the fire and prayed.
Get a copy of tabla! for more stories.
