The Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) officially opened its new campus in the Bras Basah-Bugis arts and heritage district on October 31, marking a significant milestone as it also celebrates its 77th anniversary. The non-profit organization relocated to 250 and 252 Middle Road after more than three decades at its previous premises in the former Rangoon Primary School building at 2A Starlight Road in Farrer Park.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong was the guest of honor at the opening ceremony, highlighting SIFAS’s growth from its modest beginnings in 1949 when its first classes comprised just six students meeting in a private home. Today, SIFAS is recognized as one of Singapore’s premier institutions for Indian classical music, dance, and visual arts, serving over 1,800 members and students across 18 disciplines.
In his remarks, PM Wong praised the society’s contribution to Singapore’s cultural landscape and acknowledged notable alumni such as Sushma Soma, who has promoted Carnatic music internationally, and The Bala Boys, twin brothers who started their formal musical education at SIFAS and later developed their own unique sound.
SIFAS president K. V. Rao emphasized the inclusive nature of the society, noting that its classrooms feature artists from diverse ages and racial backgrounds. He described SIFAS as embodying Singapore’s multicultural narrative, where “music can connect us without language.”
The move to the Middle Road campus places SIFAS within a vibrant cluster of arts schools, museums, performance venues, and cultural institutions in the Bras Basah-Bugis district. PM Wong encouraged SIFAS to engage actively with its new neighbors, citing the newly established SIFAS-Bothra Theatre as a space where passersby might serendipitously encounter Indian classical arts.
Addressing the broader theme of cultural preservation and evolution, PM Wong reflected on the challenges faced by younger generations growing up amid a globalized and culturally diverse environment. He suggested that rather than shielding youth from external influences, the focus should be on providing them with strong cultural roots to confidently navigate and contribute to a wider world. He stressed that tradition and innovation are complementary, with living cultural practices requiring both respect for heritage and openness to creative development.
PM Wong also reaffirmed Singapore’s approach to multiculturalism, highlighting its distinctive nature in encouraging mutual respect and curiosity across communities. He urged Singaporeans to look beyond their own cultural backgrounds to appreciate the traditions of others, a principle he described as integral to the nation’s identity.