As the Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) commemorates its 75th year of enriching Singapore’s cultural landscape, it on April 11, 2024, announced the much-anticipated SIFAS Festival of Arts, which is set to captivate audiences from April 12 to May 1, 2024.
The celebration by SIFAS is jointly organised with SIFAS Productions Limited (SPL).
Established in 1949, SIFAS has been a cornerstone of Indian cultural heritage in Singapore, fostering art and cultural appreciation through its diverse disciplines.
The year 2024 marks SIFAS’ Diamond Jubilee, a significant milestone for the non-profit organisation committed to nurturing talent and promoting Indian fine arts in the region. As Singapore transitions into a global arts hub, SIFAS continues to uphold its mission of preserving and promoting Indian cultural heritage while embracing multiculturalism.
The SIFAS Festival OF Arts 2024, an iconic event in SIFAS’ cultural calendar, celebrates the institution’s legacy as the heart and hub of Indian arts in Singapore. Themed Virasata: Celebrating a Timeless Legacy of Arts, this year’s festival also serves as a curtain-raiser to SIFAS’ 75th-year anniversary celebrations that will extend throughout the year.
With over 75 programmes of classical Indian music, dance, and visual arts, the festival promises a mesmerising journey through the rich tapestry of Indian arts. From traditional Kathak and Bharatanatyam performances and soul-stirring renditions of Hindustani and Carnatic vocals and instrumentals to a visual arts exhibition and arts and craft workshops, the festival showcases 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 K V Rao, President, SIFAS. “This festival not only celebrates our heritage but also embraces the future of Indian arts, showcasing the talents of both emerging artists and iconic maestros.”
“The 75th Anniversary milestone is being celebrated with SIFAS collaborating with organisations as well as leaders in the arts industry, both locally and globally,” said Menaka Gopalan, Executive Director, SIFAS. “We have also made a conscious effort with our outreach towards different communities, including the underrepresented, to promote arts and mental well-being.”
Scheduled at the SIFAS Stage and Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, the festival promises an unforgettable experience for art enthusiasts of all ages. Through its immersive programmes and vibrant performances, the SIFAS Festival of Arts 2024 invites audiences to celebrate the enduring legacy of Indian arts and culture in Singapore.
SIFAS also celebrates 20 years of the SIFAS Festival of Arts this year. The SIFAS Festival of Arts has been an eminent platform for showcasing the best in Indian fine arts in Singapore. Evolving with each year since 2003, they have collaborated with Esplanade since 2005 to bring both internationally renowned and emerging local talent to the forefront.
This year, the festival marks two decades of cultural brilliance and community engagement. Through the festival, a year-long celebration from May 19, 2024, to May 19, 2025, and a series of events and activities, SIFAS aims to underscore its enduring legacy and its vision for the future of Indian fine arts in Singapore.
The shows at SIFAS are open to the public and non-ticketed. The auditorium can hold around 100 people, so seating is on a first-come-first-served basis. There are no bookings or pre-registrations.
The visual arts exhibition too is free for all at SIFAS.
The schedule is as follows from 12th April to 1st May 2024:
https://www.sifas.org/sifas-festival-of-arts-2024.html
The Esplanade shows are ticketed & are on the 21st, 27th & 28th April at 7.00 pm and here’s the link to book the three shows:
https://www.sistic.com.sg/events?s=sifas
About Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) https://www.sifas.org/
Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) is Singapore’s pioneer academy in imparting knowledge of Indian classical music, dance, and visual arts. Founded in 1949, SIFAS is a non-profit Indian cultural organisation characterised by a high level of artistic and academic excellence across all disciplines. Its philosophy is portrayed in its motto in Sanskrit, which states: ‘Kala Samskrithi Lakshanam’ – Art Characterises Civilisation.
Academic excellence underlies SIFAS’ approach with a structured curriculum, internationally accredited examinations, and in-depth teaching and artistic guidance. More than 60,000 (approx.) graduates and students educated and trained at SIFAS provide principal support to other Indian cultural groups and contribute to the development of the Arts in Singapore and the region by further pursuing their education in the Arts locally and internationally and sustaining their commitment and passion as artistes, producers, programmers, managers, teachers and leaders in the Arts industry.
The Society began humbly with only 12 members. Today, it has over 2000 members and 1800 students, and 30 teachers, with a pan-Indian curriculum of 18 disciplines that reflects the cultural diversity of a vast country with an ancient heritage.
