Remarks by President Tony Tan Keng Yam at the Opening of the Peranakan World Exhibition at the National Museum, New Delhi, India

Distinguished Guests

My Fellow Singaporeans

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good afternoon. 

My wife and I are happy to be here with you for the opening of the exhibition “The Peranakan World: Cross-Cultural Art from Singapore and the Malacca Straits”, organised by the Singapore National Heritage Board and the National Museum of India. 

2          In this rapidly changing world, most of us race ahead with our eyes fixed on the future.  We try to keep up with the speed of technological development and the minute-by-minute changes in the lives of our loved ones on social media.  In our haste, we often forget to look around us at the history that led us to this point, the culture and heritage that shaped us as we grew, or the creativity that adds colour to our lives.

3          I am glad that today, you have decided to join me in a celebration of some of these important aspects of our life experiences.  This exhibition explores the fascinating story of the Peranakans during the late 19^th and 20^th centuries, and features over 100 artefacts from Singapore, including sarong kebayas, Peranakan jewellery and porcelain, and images of prominent personalities.

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

4          It is appropriate that this exhibition in particular has been arranged for the 50^th anniversary of Singapore-India relations.  The Singapore story, much like the Peranakan story, is a fusion of cultures, some of which were strongly influenced by India.  Not many people realise how close the historical links between Singapore and India are.  When Sir Stamford Raffles founded modern Singapore in 1819, his contingent included Indian officials and businessmen, and 120 men from the Bengal Native Infantry. We were governed by the British through India until 1867, and to this day share similar legal and administrative institutions. 

 5          Even before this modern recorded history, India’s great influence throughout Southeast Asia from the first century onwards cannot be understated. Singapore and India have always recognised this common bond.  I am heartened that our cultural institutions have a long history of close cooperation.  Singapore’s National Heritage Board has worked with museums in India for more than twenty years to bring major exhibitions from country to country. 

6          We are working towards holding an Indian Culture Festival in Singapore later this year, in partnership with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.  The new Indian Heritage Centre which will open soon in Singapore, also testifies to the key role that the Indian community has played, and continues to play, in Singapore’s growth.

7          I hope that we will continue to exchange exhibitions, performing arts groups, writers, thinkers, and other artists.  The more experiences we share, the better our two countries will be able to understand each other.  May the harmonious fusion of elements in Peranakan culture embodied in today’s exhibition inspire us to work even closer together, towards a brighter future for both Singapore and India.

Thank you.