- Indian Heritage Centre (IHC) celebrates 10th anniversary.
- Open House event on 10 and 11 May 2025.
- 60 new artefacts showcased in gallery rotation.
Singapore’s Indian Heritage Centre marks a decade of cultural preservation with special exhibitions and community events.
Overview of the Indian Heritage Centre
The Indian Heritage Centre is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025.
Located in the heart of Little India, the IHC has been a focal point for the Indian community in Singapore since its opening on 7 May 2015.
The centre is housed in a four-storey building with permanent galleries, a special exhibition gallery, and educational spaces.
Since its opening, the centre has welcomed over 1.6 million visitors.
The IHC traces the history of the South Asian community in Singapore and Southeast Asia.
It serves as a platform to learn about the diverse Indian heritage in Singapore.
IHC’s 10th Anniversary Celebration
The 10th anniversary is a significant milestone for the Indian community in Singapore.
The Indian Heritage Centre is celebrating a decade of showcasing Indian history, heritage, and culture.
Throughout the years, it has worked closely with the community to provide insight into the Indian community’s heritage.
The centre has co-curated exhibitions and celebrated Indian festivals with open houses and programmes.
Mr R Rajaram, Chairman of the IHC Advisory Board, said, “As the Indian Heritage Centre commemorates its 10th anniversary, we reaffirm our steadfast commitment to serving as a cornerstone for the Indian community in Singapore.”
The celebration will feature newly refreshed galleries and specially curated programmes.
IHC10 Open House
The IHC10 Open House will be held on 10 and 11 May 2025.
This event coincides with the National Heritage Board’s Singapore HeritageFest 2025.
The Open House will debut a Soapbox Gallery Tour and revisit popular Indian Heritage Centre programmes.
Visitors can experience a Peranakan Indian Wedding and join a Peranakan Indian Lunch Trail.
Limited-edition IHC10 tote bags and magnets will be available for visitors.
The event will also feature free drop-in craft activities, community performances, snacks, and tea.
| Programme | Venue | Date | Time | Fees | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 New Artefacts in the Permanent Galleries | Indian Heritage Centre | 10 & 11 May 2025 | 10 am – 5 pm | Free | — |
| Soapbox Gallery Tours | Indian Heritage Centre | 10 & 11 May 2025 | 10:30 am – 11:30 am 2 pm – 3 pm | Free | — |
| Exclusive Tote Bag Redemption | Indian Heritage Centre | 10 & 11 May 2025 | 10 am – 5 pm | Free (first 1,000 visitors) | — |
| IHC10 Craft Activities (Design your own Suncatcher Tanjore Doll) | Indian Heritage Centre | 10 & 11 May 2025 | 10 am – 5 pm | Free | — |
| Kids’ Colouring Contest (Ages 12 & below) | Indian Heritage Centre | 10 & 11 May 2025 | 10 am – 5 pm | Free | — |
| Singapore HeritageFest 2025 Lobby Experience & Crafts | Indian Heritage Centre | 10 & 11 May 2025 | 10 am – 5 pm | Free | — |
| Peranakan Indian Food Trail | Indian Heritage Centre | 10 & 11 May 2025 | 10:30 am – 12 pm | $30 | Register |
| Peranakan Indian Wedding (Community Theatre Performance) | Meeting point: Indian Heritage Centre | 10 May 2025 | 2 pm – 2:30 pm | $15 | Register |
IHC10 Programmes and Activities
Throughout the year, there will be specially curated IHC10 offerings.
These include IHC10 Special Workshops where visitors will receive a limited-edition commemorative souvenir.
A digital campaign showcasing 60 New IHC10 Artefacts will be launched.
New child-friendly spaces will open in June on levels 3 and 4, featuring tactile, sensorial, and interactive experiences.
From September, refreshed educational resources will be available in the permanent galleries for students of various age groups.
The Indian Heritage Centre will continue to host community events and festivals with partner organisations.
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IHC10 Permanent Gallery Rotation
In conjunction with the IHC10 and SG60 celebrations in 2025, the centre will conduct its first major artefact rotation at its Permanent Galleries.
60 new objects will be showcased in the galleries in two phases.
These objects include artefacts from Singapore’s National Collection, some of which will be on display in public for the first time.
According to the National Heritage Board, “The newly showcased artefacts illuminate the historical maritime routes and cross-cultural exchanges that once connected South Asia and Southeast Asia.”
Many artefacts were donated and loaned by members of Singapore’s Indian and South Asian communities.
These objects offer a glimpse into the traditions of various sub-ethnic groups and shed light on the lives and contributions of key pioneers.
Phase 1 of the rotation launched in March 2025, focusing on galleries 1 and 2 on level 4.
Phase 2 will follow in September 2025, focusing on galleries 3 to 5 on level 3.
Artefacts in Phase 1 of the Gallery Rotation
Gallery 1 showcases early contact and interactions between South and Southeast Asia from the 1st century CE to the 19th century.
Notable artefacts include a 17th-18th century Dancing Ardhanarishvara from Nepal and an 18th-century Islamic Healing Bowl from China, India.
Gallery 2 focuses on the origins and migration of Indian communities from the 19th to 21st centuries.
Interesting objects in this gallery include a Pair of Jhabalu (Tunic) worn by Parsi children and a set of Bengali Palm Leaf Manuscripts on marriage rituals.
These artefacts enhance the diversity of narratives of Singapore’s Indian and South Asian communities.
Do you think cultural institutions like the Indian Heritage Centre play an important role in preserving Singapore’s multicultural identity?
