TAMILS ARTS AND CULTURE SOCIETY (SINGAPORE)
UEN S56SS0004L
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 2024/2025
- Introduction: This Report sets out the updates of Tamils Arts and Culture Society (Singapore) from 28/07/2024 to 1/06/2025.
- Membership Details
- Life Members 42*
- Ordinary Members 242*
- Senior Citizens -Associate Members 26
- Students -Associate Members 160
Total: 470
- Management Committee
- The Members of the Management Committee during this period were:
- Dr M Govindaraju (MaGo) – President
- Mdm Vanitha Maran – Vice-President
- Mdm Vimal Priya – Hon Secretary
- Miss Wai Wai Anandhi – Asst Secretary
- Mrs Renugah Veeramani – Treasurer
- Mr Muhammed Ashik – Asst Treasurer
- The Members of the Management Committee during this period were:
- Members
- MAJ (RET) S Panirselvam
- Mr Ripdeen
- Mr Suppiah
- D. Selvarajan
- N. Selvaraju
- Mr Ramesh
- Ashok kumar
- Internal Auditor
- Chandra Mohan
- The Management Committee held nine monthly meetings via Zoom between
28/07/2024 to 18/05/2025
- FINANCE MATTERS: INCOME & EXPENDITURE 1/4/2024 TO 31/3/2025
Balance as on 31.3.2025 was $ 7,417.43
- All Expenses had been approved by the Management Committee at the WhatsApp Groups and Online Meetings. Once the payment has been approved, it will be recorded at the next MC monthly meeting.
- Change of Society Office Address: $40 paid to ROS
- Change of society name. Paid $70 to ROS on 6.9.2024.
- $130.00 was paid to ROS for Change of Constitution on 17.9.2024
- $232.35 was paid for renewal of Zoom
MAIN EVENTS :
- NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATION 2024
The National Day Gathering was successfully held on 17 August 2024 at SINDA from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The President expressed appreciation to all organizers, volunteers, and participants whose efforts made the event a meaningful and vibrant celebration.
The program featured a range of cultural and community-building activities:
Kids’ Dance Performance: Young children presented lively and well-coordinated dance routines, showcasing their enthusiasm and talent. Their participation brought joy to the audience and fostered youth involvement in cultural events.
Ladies Wing Group Dance: The Ladies Wing performed a traditional group dance that celebrated cultural heritage and teamwork. Their performance highlighted the spirit of unity and dedication within the community.
Cake Cutting Ceremony: A symbolic cake-cutting was conducted to commemorate the occasion, enhancing the celebratory mood and providing a moment of shared festivity.
Lucky Draw Segment: Engaging and interactive, the lucky draw created excitement among attendees and encouraged greater participation throughout the event.
Certificate Presentation: Certificates were awarded to volunteers and contributors as a token of appreciation for their valuable support. This recognition helped motivate continued involvement in future initiatives.
Advantages of the Event:
Fostered community spirit and cultural unity. Encouraged intergenerational participation and engagement. Strengthened volunteerism and teamwork across all age groups. Provided a platform for showcasing talents and cultural expressions.
- BOWLING EVENT
A recreational Bowling Event was successfully organized by Mdm Priya on Sunday, 1 September 2024, at Planet Bowl, located within Tessensohn Club. The event aimed to promote active lifestyle, strengthen community bonds, and encourage friendly competition among members. The players comprised men, women, youth, and senior members, reflecting a diverse and inclusive participation across all age groups.
Participants engaged in multiple rounds of bowling, fostering teamwork and sportsmanship in a fun and relaxed environment. The event concluded with a presentation of trophies to all players, recognizing their enthusiasm and involvement.
- Additionally, a lucky draw was held during the event, with prizes sponsored by the society. This segment added an element of excitement and further encouraged member participation.
- TLF BRIEFING FOR 2025
- President D.MaGo, Mrs. Priya, and Miss Anandhi attended the TLF 2025 briefing on 17th Sep 2024 held at the National Library from 6 to 9 pm.
- TLF APPRECIATION DINNER 2024
President and Mrs Priya (only 2 invited) to attend the appreciation dinner on 23 Sep 2024 at CSC Tessensohn Road and 6 pm to 9 pm.
- Participation in High-Level Government Engagements
On October 20, 2024, Our Society was honored to be invited by the High Commission of India to a distinguished luncheon hosted in the presence of the Hon’ble Minister of Education, Government of India, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan. This prestigious event served as a significant platform for TACS to engage in dialogue sessions.
- DEEPAVALI CELEBRATIONS 2024
Venue : ECP Raintree Cove
Date: Nov 2, 2024
The President conveyed his happiness regarding the success of the Deepavali gathering organised by Ladies Wing.
He expressed his delight at seeing families and children actively participating in the event.
· The President extended his appreciation to Mdm Priya for her efforts in organizing the event.
He also thanked Mdm Vanitha, Miss Anandhi, and Miss Bhakthi for their valuable assistance and support in making the event a success.
· The event witnessed the participation of approximately 45 members, including children.
Key highlights of the gathering included:
· Engaging games for all attendees.
· Enthusiastic singing and dancing performances.
· Communal dining experience, which was described as a memorable and enjoyable moment for everyone present.
· Lucky draw was conducted and President presented all members a memorable momento as a token of love.
- CHANGE OF SOCIETY NAME AND LOGO
- President shared the happy news, after such a long journey of nearly two years, countless efforts, and all the necessary fees, it’s finally official—the new name “Tamils Arts and Culture Society” has been approved.
In Tamil: தமிழர் கலை பண்பாட்டு சமுதாயம்
President reminded that this is a moment of pride and celebration for everyone involved in the society and it is a great milestone to preserve and promote Tamil culture and arts formally under this beautiful name.
- President also finalised the design of the society’s new Logo with the approval of all MC members. The description is as follows:
- The logo features a traditional Kolam design at its core, symbolizing the diamond shape of Singapore with the wording in English and Tamil on vibrant colours circles which reflecting the unity, interconnectedness, and harmony within our multicultural community.
- The encircling lines represent the solidarity and collective strength of our society, emphasizing our commitment to working together to safeguard traditions.
- Overall, the logo embodies our dedication, passion, and commitment to preserving and promoting Tamils Arts and Culture while fostering a profound sense of unity and inclusiveness.
- President explained about the transitioning to TACS.com as the new domain name which perfectly aligns with the newly approved name, “Tamils Arts and Culture Society.”, as it’s short, professional, and easy to remember and great move for increasing visibility and accessibility
- Celebrating 70 Years of Heritage and Legacy – Singapore Tamils Heritage Month 2025
In commemoration of the Society’s 70th Anniversary since its establishment in 1954, we are proud to announce a landmark cultural initiative: the Singapore Tamils Heritage Month – 70, scheduled for January/February 2026. This milestone event is a tribute to the enduring legacy, contributions, and cultural richness of the Tamil community in Singapore and beyond.
Designed as a month-long celebration, the Heritage Month will feature a series of curated activities and thematic weeks aimed at showcasing and preserving Tamil language, culture, and the arts. The program structure is as follows:
- Tamil Language Fortnight
The first two weeks will be dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the Tamil language, one of the oldest and most revered classical languages in the world. A key highlight of this initiative is the compilation and publication of 70 original Tamil essays, contributed by esteemed Tamil writers from both Singapore and the international diaspora. This initiative not only celebrates linguistic pride but also fosters intergenerational transmission of literary and intellectual traditions.
- Cultural Week
Following the language fortnight, the Cultural Week will spotlight traditional Tamil customs, values, and community practices. The week will feature a wide array of cultural performances, traditional games, storytelling sessions, culinary showcases, and interactive workshops. These activities aim to deepen public understanding of Tamil heritage while fostering community bonding and participation across age groups.
- Arts Week
The final segment of the celebration—Arts Week—will shine a light on Tamil artistic excellence in diverse forms. This includes live performances in music and traditional dance. The week will offer a platform for both established and emerging artists to present their work, enriching the cultural landscape and ensuring the vibrancy of Tamil artistic expression continues to thrive.
Singapore Tamils Heritage Month – 70 stands as a testament to the Society’s continued commitment to cultural preservation, education, and community empowerment. As we mark seven decades of service, this celebration also looks forward—laying the foundation for the next generation to embrace, evolve, and elevate Tamil heritage with pride and purpose.
15. APPRECIATION DAY/PONGAL DAY
Venue event organized: SINDA multipurpose hall
1, Beatty Road, Singapore – 209943
Date: Feb 9 2025
The event showcased the remarkable talents of young performers through captivating singing and dance performances. Members of all age groups, including ladies, youth, and children, actively participated, contributing to the vibrant and engaging atmosphere. The dance performances were particularly commendable, and the Chairman expressed appreciation for the excellent choreography and the impressive singing by children and Youth Wing.
Additionally, the Kolam Design Competition was a highlight of the event. The designs were highly praised by all attendees, further enriching the cultural significance of the occasion.
Madam Priya shared her experience of the event, emphasizing that its success was the result of collective team effort. She acknowledged and appreciated the valuable contributions of every member, highlighting their dedication and teamwork in making the event a resounding success. Chairman expressed gratitude to all members for their valuable contributions and extended appreciation for their dedication and efforts and also was disappointed as some key members did not turn up to the event.
16.QUALITY COMMUNITY CIRCLES (QCC) –
As part of our initiative to foster engagement and collaboration at the grassroots level, we launched the Quality Community Circles (QCC) program. This initiative adapts the principles of Quality Control Circles (QCCs) to a community setting, promoting problem-solving and continuous improvement in everyday life.
- QCCircle Formation:
We established four distinct types of circles to cater to different community segments: Ladies, Students, Men, and Senior Citizens. Each circle consists of 5 to 12 members, preferably residing within the same locality—determined by the first two digits of their postal code. This proximity encourages stronger social bonds and easier coordination of activities. - Community Engagement:
Circles are actively encouraged to plan and participate in meaningful outdoor and social activities, such as picnics, rock climbing, library visits, and volunteering at senior care homes. These experiences help build trust, teamwork, and a sense of belonging among members. - Capacity Building:
Members are gradually introduced to QCC tools and methodologies during their meetings. By applying these tools, circles work collaboratively to identify and address common family or community challenges, promoting a culture of continuous improvement and mutual support.
- PRESIDENT MEETING WITH TRC
The Committee proposed a meeting with Mr. Pandian, President of TRC, to emphasize the importance of addressing key concerns and providing valuable insights related to the Tamil community and Tamil language. TRC, as the umbrella organization, will be requested to organize an annual ministerial dialogue to address the declining Tamil population and promote the use of Tamil by organizations such as PA, Narpani, and IHC. Notably, the Tamil population among Indians was 63.9% in 1990 but declined to 54% in 2020.
President requested TRC, being directly responsible for issues related to the Tamil community and language, should take the lead in addressing these specific concerns.
- TO SUPPORT NTU EVENT
Chairman has decided to support the Pongal event taking place in NTU and also managed to collect fund from the society members to support the event.
Donations by members.
1. President – $100
2. Mr. N.Selvaraju – $200
3. Mr. Suppiah – $100
4. Mr. Ramesh – $50
5. Mr. Vasu – $50
6. Miss. Anandhi – $50
The Chairman noted that there has been no response from the NTU team regarding the donations. He further stated that all funds collected will be retained in the Society’s fund for future use.
- Treasurer Matters – Mrs. Renugah
The Committee addressed serious concerns regarding Mrs. Renugah’s performance as Treasurer. Despite her contributions in other areas, she failed to fulfill key responsibilities, including timely submission of financial reports and maintaining proper communication with the Committee. Her unauthorized actions, such as removing the President from the Society’s CorpPass account and exiting the official WhatsApp group without consent, were deemed unacceptable.
Following her unsubstantiated claims and lack of response to official queries, the Committee unanimously resolved to:
- Remove Mrs. Renugah from the Society with immediate effect;
- Remove her name from the Management Committee list submitted to the Registry of Societies (ROS); and
- Terminate her access to the Society’s CorpPass account.
This decision was agreed upon by all members present, and considered as the case closed.
- BOWLING EVENT, 22 MAR 2025
A Bowling Event was successfully organized by Mdm Priya on Saturday, 22 March 2025, at CSC @ Changi. The event aimed to encourage fitness, friendly competition, and community bonding among members across all age groups.
The event featured enthusiastic participation from men, women, and youth, with a strong turnout reflecting the society’s commitment to inclusive activities. After the games, members gathered for a dinner, which further strengthened social ties and provided an opportunity for informal interaction.
To recognize excellence and participation:
- Top 5 High Scorers were awarded trophies, selected from the best-performing players across the men’s, ladies’, and youth categories.
- Souvenir trophies were also presented to all players, acknowledging their active involvement and sportsmanship.
- MOTHER’S DAY CELEBRATIONS 2025
As part of the Ladies’ Wing monthly activities, a Mother’s Day Celebration was proposed by Mdm Priya and received full approval from the Committee. The event was held to honor and appreciate the invaluable role of mothers within the community.
The celebration took place on Sunday, 27 April 2025, at Raintree Cove, East Coast Park, starting from 11:00 AM.
The event featured a potluck gathering in which members brought and shared homemade dishes with their families and fellow participants. A variety of games and interactive activities were also conducted to entertain and engage attendees, making the day joyful and memorable.
Purpose and Benefits:
- Celebrated the contributions of mothers in a warm, informal setting.
- Fostered bonding among members through shared food and recreation.
- Encouraged active participation of the Ladies’ Wing in community-building events.
- Strengthened family involvement in society-led initiatives.
- Flyer Printing and Distribution to the members:
500 (B4) copies of promotional flyers had been printed. The flyers are to be distributed to the members to publicise TACS activities amongst their families and friends.
CONCLUSION:
The Management Committee is deeply appreciative of the support given by its Members, Donors/Sponsors and volunteers. The MC also wishes to thank all those who have contributed to the Society’s activities during the Management’s tenure.
Report By: Mrs Vimal Priya, General Secretary.
Vetted By: Dr.M Govindaraju, President.