How Indian communities in S'pore celebrate their New Year

BENGALIS - Nababarsho

In Bengal, the New Year is referred to as Nababarsho or Poila Baishakh.

President of the Bengali Association Singapore Nikhilesh Gupta explained how the New Year is celebrated in India: "Usually on Poila Baishakh (around April 15), houses are cleaned and sometimes painted. People usually wear new clothes.

"Bengalis would visit family and relatives to wish them and get their blessings. New clothes are given to children and older family members.

"There is also an age-old tradition of cooking fish for lunch. Bengali businessmen buy new account books and start their accounting year. It is known as Haalkhata. Prayers are offered to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Laxmi in Bengali households. The evenings are packed with cultural programmes comprising music, dance, poetry recitals and drama," he said.

Added Mr Gupta: "In Singapore, Bengalis usually have gatherings where the usual Hilsha fish and other delicacies, especially the shandesh (a special sweet), are served. Greetings are exchanged through phone calls, social media and visits. The children wear new clothes just like they do in Kolkata. Cultural functions are quite common and the Bengali Association Singapore facilitates these by organising an exclusive Nababarsho evening every year with dances and music."

KANNADIGAS - Yugadi

The festival which heralds the new year of Kannadigas is Yugadi, which was celebrated on March 31.

Said the president of the Singapore Kannada Sangha Vishalakshi Vaidya: "It is a festival spent quietly with close family members and begins by taking a hot shower after an oil massage, known as Abhyanjana. Then, the entire family dons new clothes and gathers in front of the family deity to pray. Worship begins with the usual mantras, shloka chanting, prayers, burning incense sticks and karpoora (camphor) aarati and culminates in aarati. Fruits, flowers and special dishes of the day are offered to the gods.

"Homes are decorated with mango and neem leaves. Mango leaves indicate the onset of spring and neem leaves are used to ward off illnesses, infections and such.

"After prayers, the panchamrutha (mixture of milk, yogurt, ghee, sugar, honey and pieces of banana) and bevu-bella, a mixture of neem (bevu) flowers and leaves mixed with crushed jaggery (bella) are distributed.

"Here in Singapore, Kannadigas keep the panchanga in front of the deity and worship it with haldi-kumkum and, subsequently, partake of the bevu-bella while reciting shloka from the almanac, which explains the benefit of bevu-bella," she added.

MAHARASHTRIANS - Gudi Padwa

The Maharashtrian New Year day, known as Gudi Padwa, falls on the same day as Ugadi. Maharashtra Mandal Singapore celebrated the commencement of Maharashtrian Hindu New Year on April 6.

According to the former president and adviser of Maharashtra Mandal Singapore Rajashri Lele: "A marquee (Gudhi) is raised like a hoisted flag, comprising a silk cloth, a string of sugar-candy, a garland and a crowning shiny copper pot sparkling in the morning sun. A short prayer is recited and a series of dances by children is followed by a sumptuous feast."

"Typically, an auspicious combination of honey and neem paste is offered early in the morning, whereas Shrikhand-Poori (sweet yogurt) or Puran Poli (sweet chappati) are the most favoured dishes for lunch."

It is believed that Chhatrapati Shivaji, the legendary ruler of the Maratha Kingdom, started the practice of raising the Gudhi as a symbol of victory of the Maratha forces. It is usually hoisted outside the house or on a window, to bring prosperity and good luck into the house.

It is also the time when the rabi crop, or spring harvest, is harvested in Maharashtra. So it is also a harvest festival. Maharashtra is famous for its mangoes, especially the Alphonso variety. And this is harvest time for these delicious mangoes.

MALAYALEES - Vishu

Vishu, celebrated by the people of Kerala, is a harvest festival which falls on or around April 14. It is celebrated with what is known as the Vishukkani. Assistant secretary of the Singapore Malayalee Hindu Samajam (SMHS) Harish Velayudhan explained: "A Vishukkani traditionally consists of all the items from the harvest, like vellari (cucumber), coconut, jackfruit, new cloth, money, gold, nilavilak (traditional lamp), valkannadi (mirror), and the flower kani konna (cassia fistula), known as the golden shower tree because of its pure gold colour."

The tradition is for one to wake up and see Lord Krishna together with the Vishukkani, first thing in the morning, after which parents and older family members hand out money to younger members as a form of wishing them prosperity.

"Even though Vishu is a celebration of the year's harvest, Lord Krishna or Guruvayurappan is the central focal point in the Vishukkani because Lord Krishna, the incarnation of Mahavishnu, is considered to be the supreme Godhead. So during the Vishukkani, every one wishes to be blessed with seeing the supreme Godhead," said Mr Harish.

"In Kerala, Vishu is normally celebrated with lots of fireworks and Vishukkani in the morning. A group of youngsters will set up the Vishukkani on a cart and visit each and every household as early as 3am. Once they set the Vishukkani facing the front door, they will move back to the shadows and sing bhajans and devotional songs to let the residents know that the Vishukkani has arrived," he added.

In Singapore, the SMHS organises various activities to celebrate Vishu. At the Hindu temple in Toa Payoh, the priest prepares a Vishukkani for all the devotees and performs special poojas and abhishekam at the Guruvayurappan sanctum, followed by mass chanting of "Sahasra Namam" (1,000 names) for the betterment of one and all.

KASHMIRIS - Navreh

Kashmiri Pandits celebrated Navreh, their New Year, on April 4 this year. Founder and editor-in-chief of Sun Media Nomita Dhar says: "

In Kashmir, it usually signifies the start of spring season."

In Singapore, Kashmiri Pandits numbering more than 100 meet up once a year, usually a few days before Navreh.

"On the eve of Navreh, my mum would keep a thali (bronze platter) filled with rice, a cup of curd, bread, cooked rice, some walnuts, an inkpot and a pen, a silver coin and the Panchanga (almanac) of the New Year, as the first thing to be seen when we wake up in the morning," explained Ms Nomita.

"This year, I received pictures through SMS from my sister in Delhi and friends all over the world, reminding me to prepare the thali and teach the tradition to my children. The money from the thali will be given to the children after being seen in the morning, and the rice will be made into turmeric rice or yellow rice. The vegetables that are found in Kashmir during spring will be used to make side dishes which are then served to the whole family. We also wear new clothes on this occasion," added Ms Nomita.

"In Singapore, I can only replicate the food and bits and pieces of tradition during Navreh to share with my children. This year, I prepared the thali, bought new clothes for my children and cooked traditional Kashmiri dishes in the evening to celebrate Navreh with my family," she said.

ODIAS - Vishuva Sankranti

According to the president of Odia Society Singapore Sambit Kumar Mishra, "Pana Sankranti or Maha Vishuva Sankranti, is celebrated as the Odia New Year.

It generally falls on April 14 or 15. On this day, a small pot filled with pana or a sweet drink of Mishri (sugar crystals) and water is hung on a holy basil (Tulsi) plant. There is a hole at the bottom of this pot which allows the water to fall from the pot, representing rain. Horse gram (chhatua) flour, along with banana and curd, is consumed by the people of Odisha after offering it to the Tulsi plant. Pana or Bel Pana is a drink that is consumed on this day."

Mr Mishra added: "In Orissa, special offerings are made to Shalagram, Shivalinga, Hanuman, and other deities. People all over the state worship Hanuman on this day and celebrate it as his birthday."

Odisha state was formed on April 1, 1936. So Odias everywhere celebrate Utkal Divas (Odisha Day) on April 1. Given the proximity of the two significant days, the community here celebrates Utkal Divas.

Mr Mishra described how Utkal Day is celebrated here: "We decorate the hall with Rangoli and start the function by singing "Bande Utkal Janani" an Odia patriotic poem written by Kantakabi Laxmikanta Mohapatra. This is followed by an Odisi dance performance. Odia Society Singapore will be celebrating Utkal Divas on May 3.

PARSIS - Navroze

Singapore-based Parsi and freelance writer Suna Kanga told tabla!: "

On March 21, the vernal equinox, the community ushers in the glory of spring with prayers for a renewal of life and goodness and feasting with friends. This Spring Festival is observed by the Fasli/Bastani group of Parsis as New Year. Rituals commence right at the threshold with garlands of flowers and decorative floor patterns to usher in good luck.

Auspicious dishes include sweet vermicelli (sev), semolina (ravo) decorated with slivers of almonds and raisins and fish in banana leaves or other preparations. For the March celebrations, a festive table, with a white tablecloth indicating purity, is set with candles, fruit, flowers and several symbolic items. At night, the community comes together in traditional finery and new clothes to celebrate and greet each other "Navroz Mubarak."

The Singapore community today numbers about 300.

PUNJABIS - Vesakhi

Secretary of the Central Sikh Gurdwara Board in Singapore Manmohan Singh Malla explained: "Vesakhi is an ancient harvest festival celebrated across the northern Indian subcontinent, where agriculture provides livelihood to the majority of the rural people who celebrate Vesakhi with fun and fervour."

He explained how this day also holds religious significance: "For the Sikh diaspora worldwide, this day also commemorates the formation of Khalsa (the pure one). On this day in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh (the tenth Sikh Guru) established the Khalsa which represents the community of the pure.

He said in Singapore the Vesakhi celebrations commence on April 12 with the complete reading of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scriptures) at the Central Sikh Temple in Towner Road.

"There is usually three days of reading the Holy scriptures, and families make it a point to visit the Gurdwara during this time.

"Other activities include the singing of religious hymns, a donation drive for the Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital, a flag raising ceremony and children's party.

"The celebrations will conclude with the Vesakhi Mela (Fair) on April 27 at the Singapore Khalsa Association. This year's focus is on community integration through culture and sports. There will be various sporting activities, food stalls, kabbadi and also a booth to teach you how to make Punjabi sweets."

SINDHIS - Cheti Chand

The Sindhi community celebrates Cheti Chand, their New Year, on the second day of the Chet month.

"This festival is celebrated to mark the birth of Sindhi Saint Jhulelal (reincarnation of Lord Varuna, the god of rain and water). This day is considered very auspicious and Sindhis not only in Singapore but all over the world, celebrate with pomp and happiness mostly with prayers in the temple," said Mr Vashi P. Chandiramani, a management committee member of the Singapore Sindhi association (SSA).

SSA celebrates the New Year with Cheti Chand Mela, a grand food and fun fair, at Sindhu House in Mountbatten Road. This year it was celebrated on March 29.

"On the actual day, April 1, we in Singapore celebrated it with prayers. It started with Jhulelal Bhajans (devotional songs) followed by Bahrano Saheb, an offering to Jhulelal which consists a thaal (platter) of oil lamp, crystal sugar, cardamon, fruits, coconut, cloth, flowers and leaves.

"During the celebrations, people of different age groups perform a traditional Sindhi dance called the 'Chhej" in honour of Jhulelal Saheb.

"Tayri or Tairi is a traditional aromatic sweet rice preparation cooked, offered to Saint Jhulelal and then distributed as 'parshad' to all the devotees after this, and is said to be very auspicious to have it on Cheti Chand," he added.

TAMILS - Puthandu

The Tamil New Year, called Puthandu, generally falls on April 14 and marks the first day of the traditional Tamil calendar. It is typically celebrated with a feast in Tamil homes, gathering of relatives and family members, and visits to the temples.

Women in the household wake up early to thoroughly wash and clean the entrances to their houses, which they decorate elaborately, sometimes with colourfully drawn kolam patterns on the floor using rice powder. This is believed to usher in good luck.

Due to the large size of the state, there are some differences in the way it is celebrated in different cities. Mrs Ramathilagam Thanabalan, who was born in India but has been in Singapore for over 40 years, explains: "From where I come from, Karaikudi, we take an oil bath in the morning and wear new clothes before gathering for morning prayers. Family members visit each other and we prepare a vegetarian feast with sweet desserts."

"Here, everyone is busy, and it's not a public holiday so the celebrations are very simple. In my household, I cook some special sweet dishes like the inippu vadai (sweet vadai) or kolkandu vadai (rock sugar vadai) and the pal kozhukattai (sweet milk dumpling). We make it a point to have a meal together, and then we try to go to the temples in the evening to attend the panchangam recital," she added.

TELUGUS - Ugadi

Preparations for Ugadi, the festive New Year of the Telugu community, start in earnest with the cleaning and decorating of homes, according to Singapore Telugu Samajam management committee member Yanamandra Laxmi Narasimha Rao. On the day itself, the Telugu people offer prayers at home or at temples in the hope of having a blissful year.

"First thing in the morning, we prepare the Ugadi Pachadi, a special dish made with a blend of six tastes, symbolising different experiences of life," explained Mr Rao. Another custom Mr Rao mentioned was the reading of the Telugu lunar almanac (panchangam), to understand important dates like festivals, auspicious time like muhurthams, eclipses and overall predictions for various zodiacs.

On how Ugadi is celebrated here, Mr Rao said: "The Singapore Telugu Samajam organises free distribution of neem flower on the eve, special morning and evening prayers on Ugadi day, distribution of Ugadi Pachadi and annadanam (food donations), diety procession, Sri Srinivasa Kalyanotsavam (marriage celebration of the god Sri Srinivasa) and Telugu almanac reading in the evening. We also organise cultural and entertainment programme involving various local and international artists sometime after Ugadi."

"Performance of Sri Srinivasa Kalyanam (marriage) and cultural programme are unique to celebrations in Singapore, where all the community members come together to greet each other and offer prayers," he added.

Get a copy of tabla! for more stories.