The Indian Heritage Centre launched its fourth special exhibition this evening, From the Coromandel Coast to the Straits: Revisiting Our TamilHeritage, presenting fresh perspectives of the history and identity of the Tamil community in Singapore and the region, along with the annual Indian Heritage Centre CultureFest.
From the Coromandel Coast to the Straits: Revisiting Our Tamil Heritage, and Indian Heritage Centre CultureFest 2019 were launched by guest of honour Mr Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance.
The exhibition will show Tamil connections with Singapore and the region from as far back as the 11th to 13th centuries, and will also trace 200 years of the Tamil community’s presence, history, culture, and contributions here.
Indian Heritage Centre CultureFest 2019 celebrates the rich intangible cultural heritage of the Tamils, and uncovers the nuances and lesser-known facts that contribute to the Tamil identity, through both traditional and contemporary art forms and programmes.
L-R: Mr Kenneth Lim, Director, Travel Agents & Tourist Guides, Singapore Tourism Board; Ambassador Gopinath Pillai, Chairman, Indian Heritage Centre Advisory Board; Mr Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance; Ms Yeoh Chee Yan, Chairman, National Heritage Board; Ms Chang Hwee Nee, Chief Executive Officer, National Heritage Board; Ms Trudy Loh, Director, Heritage Institutions, National Heritage Board.
To capture the breadth and depth of Tamil heritage, From the Coromandel Coast to the Straits brings visitors on a journey in two parts: the first explores the connections between Tamils of the Coromandel Coast and Southeast Asia from pre-modern times, presenting fresh interpretations that suggests these links with Singapore date as far back as the 11th to 13th centuries.
The second part delves into the history of the Tamil community in Singapore, tracing 200 years of their presence, history and culture here. It also highlights the community’s contributions, in the areas of commerce and industry, philanthropy, education, infrastructure and more.
Indian Heritage Centre curator Nalina Gopal giving an introduction of From the Coromandel Coast to the Straits: Revisiting our Tamil Heritage to Mr Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance. 
From the Coromandel Coast to the Straits: Revisiting our Tamil Heritage will run till 30 June2020; and the Indian Heritage Centre CultureFest 2019 will take place on 23 to 24 November, and 30 November to 1 December. For more information, please click Here 
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