The Peranaken community is unique to South East Asia and particularly the Malay archipelago. Chinese or Indian Traders who sailed to the Malacca straits and plied their wares, couldn’t return to their places of origin until the monsoon winds aligned with their destinations. So they would drop anchor literally and figuratively and spend 4 to …
The very word conjures up images of M&Ms and Hershey’s kisses, gumdrops and candy canes, jujubes and gummy bears, peppermint patties, puffy marshmallows, colourful lollipops and all things tooth achingly sweet. But did you know that the word candy comes from Khand or Khandsari — another name for raw sugar? Or that the word Sugar …
I’m several days too late in posting this- but better late than never! 9th August was the Singapore National Day. 48 years of being a nation. 15th August was India’s 66th year of freedom. Two countries, vastly different from one another; two countries I love. At first glance, the two countries could not be more …
A wonderful and prosperous festive season to you all! Yesterday I guided another group of tourists and friends on a tour of the Festivals of India. An interested and interactive group, that stayed back and discussed religion and social practices, culture and rituals. One of the stories that I included was on Savitri. The epitome …
I love Indian festivals. I enjoy the chaos, the confections and the celebrations. But most of all I love the myths that surround the festivities. Today I had the privilege of guiding a group of visitors on ‘The Colours of India- festivals and their celebration’ at the ACM, Singapore. In a frenzy, I researched a …
I had never heard of Micha X. Peled until yesterday, and today I found myself exchanging emails with someone called Max from his company. Micha Peled is a film maker. Obviously of some repute. The man has won a series of awards, but in my ivory tower of cakes and fondant figures, I had never …