Museum Musings: Peacock Power – Beauty and Symbolism Across Cultures at the Peranakan Museum

When the curatorial team at the Peranakan Museum lifted the veil on their latest exhibition, Peacock Power: Beauty and Symbolism Across Cultures, the room shimmered. Against the glow of spotlights, dazzling objects; bejeweled belts, embroidered slippers, sacred hangings, reflected the splendour of an icon that has captivated artists and devotees across centuries: the peacock. Opening on 31 October 2025, this exhibition marks not just a … Continue reading Museum Musings: Peacock Power – Beauty and Symbolism Across Cultures at the Peranakan Museum

The Banter: An Interview with Akshita Nanda, Author of Beauty Queens of Bishan

Since the last time we spoke to author Akshita Nanda, her life has taken quite the turn. No longer an arts correspondent with The Straits Times, Akshita has gone back to hitting the books, not only pursuing a Masters in International Affairs but also getting ready to release her sophomore novel – Beauty Queens of Bishan. From its blurb alone, Beauty Queens of Bishan already feels … Continue reading The Banter: An Interview with Akshita Nanda, Author of Beauty Queens of Bishan

Book Review: Nimita’s Place by Akshita Nanda

Parallel narratives of an Indian grandmother during Partition and her granddaughter in modern day Singapore make for a satisfying debut.  Reading Nimita’s Place feels a little like moving in to a new house – to an ethnically Chinese person reading this, the parallel narratives seen through the eyes of both protagonists present worlds that are rapidly changing, initially unfamiliar, yet places that Akshita eases us into to … Continue reading Book Review: Nimita’s Place by Akshita Nanda

SIFA 2018: Concluding Thoughts on A New Director and A New Festival

Nobody likes change. Humans are very much creatures of habit, and when things get shaken up, we naturally feel a little uncomfortable. So it comes as no surprise that when Gaurav Kripalani was first announced to take over as the new Festival Director of the Singapore International Festival of the Arts (SIFA) from 2018-2020, many reflected upon his appointment with a little hesitation and some … Continue reading SIFA 2018: Concluding Thoughts on A New Director and A New Festival

SIFA 2018: An Interview with Festival Director Gaurav Kripalani

As the latest person to take up the mantle of Festival Director for the Singapore International Festival of the Arts (SIFA), Gaurav Kripalani has faced his fair share of criticisms and doubts. But if there’s anything to go by, the numbers don’t lie, and this year’s edition of the festival has seen overwhelmingly positive demand, with multiple sold out shows and all around enthusiasm for … Continue reading SIFA 2018: An Interview with Festival Director Gaurav Kripalani

A Childhood Dream Come True: A Conversation with Writer Akshita Nanda

“I remember when I first came to Singapore in 1995 on a scholarship, my parents told me to eat the food in this country,” Akshita Nanda comments offhand, as we wait for our dinner to arrive at Kogane-Yama. “Food is how you really get to know a country and its culture, and the act of eating itself bonds.” Akshita is perhaps best known as an … Continue reading A Childhood Dream Come True: A Conversation with Writer Akshita Nanda

SIFA 2018 Set For Record Crowds Under New Festival Director Gaurav Kripalani

Expect a Grammy-Award winning multi-instrumentalist, dystopian states and even an outdoor circus in the all new 2018 SIFA lineup. Taking on the role of SIFA Festival Director for the next three years, Gaurav Kripalani begins it with a strong lineup that includes acclaimed director Robert Icke’s 1984 and site-specific performances at the Armenian Church and National Gallery. SIFA 2018 looks set to bring in the masses … Continue reading SIFA 2018 Set For Record Crowds Under New Festival Director Gaurav Kripalani

Preview: Artwalk Little India 2018 – Urban Mythology (SAW 2018)

This Singapore Art Week, ARTWALK Little India returns for its 4th edition with the theme of Urban Mythology, bringing back tales of Little India in the form of murals, public art installations and free performances all around the district. Presented by LASALLE College of The Arts and Singapore Tourism Board with the support of Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association, this year’s edition will feature an even greater … Continue reading Preview: Artwalk Little India 2018 – Urban Mythology (SAW 2018)

Artist Spotlight: An Interview with Anup Singh, Director of The Song of Scorpions (SGIFF 2017)

In 2001, Geneva-based, Tanzanian-born director Anup Singh made waves around the film festival circuit with his debut feature film The Name of a River. His exploration of Indian culture and mythology through oneiric cinematography and mythic narratives continued in his sophomore feature Qissa: The Tale of a Lonely Ghost in 2013 and marked his first collaboration with Indian film actor Irrfan Khan. Anup’s latest film The Song … Continue reading Artist Spotlight: An Interview with Anup Singh, Director of The Song of Scorpions (SGIFF 2017)

Kalaa Utsavam 2017: Koodiyattam – Nangiarkoothu by Kapila Venu (Review)

Beyond new contemporary works, the Esplanade’s annual Kalaa Utsavam also regularly features traditional arts in its lineup, and 2017 is no different. This year, we had the rare privilege of watching master koodiyattam practitioner Kapila Venu perform the ancient, UNESCO-recgonized art form. A little background information for the unfamiliar: koodiyattam is a 2,000 year old theatrical tradition originating from Kerala, India. Often performed in temples, … Continue reading Kalaa Utsavam 2017: Koodiyattam – Nangiarkoothu by Kapila Venu (Review)