New exhibited artefacts part of Indian Heritage Centre's 10th anniversary celebration
SINGAPORE - When Mrs Salma Moiz, 84, got married decades ago, she had intricate mehendi designs on her hands and legs.
The mehendi designs - traditional body art, made using a paste from the henna plant - can take hours to draw on the body, and was applied using a slender needle-like applicator.
Such a tool was once used widely by Singapore's Indian and Malay communities to draw henna art during weddings and festivals. These days henna tube applicators, which are faster, are more commonly used instead.
Mrs Moiz's mehendi applicator was a family heirloom that she kept for decades, but now it will get new life as a museum exhibit after she donated it to the Indian Heritage Centre (IHC).
It is among 60 new artefacts that will be put on display at the IHC's permanent exhibition by September this year as part of celebrations for the centre's 10th anniversary.
Mrs Salma Moiz's mehendi applicator was a family heirloom that she kept for decades.
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
The exhibition showcases the history and heritage of Singapore's Indian and South Asian communities.
Mrs Moiz, a former museum tour guide, said it was important to document the experience of past generations, and ensure that these pieces of their heritage are placed where they are cared for and can be appreciated.
'If (these artefacts) go down the generations, they will not understand the value and history behind it. But here (at the heritage centre), it's preserved forever,' Mrs Moiz said.
Mrs Salma Moiz (in green) and her daughter Ms Azra Moiz at the Indian Heritage Centre's IHC10 Open House on May 7.
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
Beyond the new artefacts, the IHC is also launching an Open House event on May 10 and 11, that includes a gallery tour where the exhibits are used as part of a live storytelling performance.
The event is part of the ongoing Singapore HeritageFest 2025 organised by HeritageSG, a subsidiary of the National Heritage Board.
Asked about the event, the IHC's chairman R Rajaram said: 'Museums are seen as places of quiet contemplation, but additional effort is needed to reach out to audiences to make it interesting and engaging.'
Performers narrating the stories of some artefacts during a soapbox gallery tour of the Indian Heritage Centre's permanent gallery on May 7.
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
Mr Rajaram, 62, who is also a university registrar at the National University of Singapore (NUS) said the IHC is the only museum focused on tracing the history of the Indians in Singapore, adding that he is heartened to see people of all races turning up for the centre's events.
Beyond the Open House celebrations this weekend, visitors can look forward to monthly workshops highlighting various Indian traditions such as cooking and Rangoli art.
There will also be a Deepavali Open House from September 27 to October 19.
The centre is also developing a dedicated tactile and interactive experience zone in their child- friendly spaces, which is expected to launch in June 2025.
The entrance to the Indian Heritage Centre's permanent gallery.
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
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