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Little India, Singapore
Subzone of Rochor Planning Area in Singapore From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Little India (Tamil: லிட்டில் இந்தியா) is an ethnic enclave in Singapore located east of the Singapore River, across from Chinatown, and north of Kampong Glam.[1] Little India is commonly known as Tekka among the Indian Singaporean community. [2]
 | This article contains wording that promotes the subject in a subjective manner without imparting real information. (December 2013) |
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History
Little India was initially a district used by Europeans for cattle trading, where Indian migrant workers found jobs, specializing in cattle rearing.[3] Its location along the Serangoon River provided good conditions for raising livestock, resulting in the growth of that industry.[4][5] Eventually, the swamps were drained, and the European cattle farmers and traders moved out. Many of the cattle rearing migrant workers stayed, and the neighborhood became predominantly inhabited by South Asians, namely people of Indian descent.
A traffic collision in the neighbourhood on December 8, 2013, sparked a two-hour melee that claimed one life and injured twenty-seven people. Forty people were arrested following this incident[6] .
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Culture
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Under the modern People’s Action Party (PAP) policy of racial integration, Little India is deemed as a historical landmark. Many Indian businesses and cottage industries remain concentrated in Little India for the purpose of preserving cultural heritage. However, Little India is not the only zone in Singapore with a significant South Asian population, and Indian-dominant commercial zones can also be found in various Housing and Development Board (HDB) estates.
Little India is also home to Chinese Clan Associations, places of worship for various religions, and a range of businesses, including those selling electrical supplies, hardware, second-hand goods, and traditional items such as spice grinders and groceries.[7]
Little India is the center of Deepavali (Diwali) celebrations in Singapore.[8][9] Since 1989, the Deepavali light-up has taken place along Serangoon Road, covering over two kilometers with decorative lights. The Indian Heritage Centre organizes the Deepavali Open House, which includes cultural performances, rangoli workshops, and bus tours of the decorated areas.[8] A seasonal bazaar, known as the Deepavali Festival Village, features stalls selling traditional clothing, food, and household items. Celebrations typically conclude on Deepavali day, with some activities continuing into early November.[10]
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Features
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Serangoon Road is the main commercial thoroughfare in Little India. It intersects Rochor Canal Road and Bukit Timah Sungei Road. Along Serangoon Road are the Tekka Centre, the Tekka Mall, the Little India Arcade, Serangoon Plaza, and the Mustafa Centre (on a side road). Farrer Park Fields is located in the district. Several Hindu temples, mosques, and other places of worship include the Far Kor Sun Monkey God Temple, Foochow Methodist Church, Kampong Kapor Methodist Church (completed in 1929), Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, Angullia Mosque, Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple, Jalan Mosque, and the Central Sikh Gurdwara.
The Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple, along Racecourse Road, was established by a Thai monk, Venerable Vutthisasara, in 1927.[11] Leong San See Temple was built in 1917 and is dedicated to Guanyin, Bodhisattva of Compassion.[12]
Little India is also home to several art houses. In 1985, the National Arts Council launched the Arts Housing Scheme, aimed at identifying and renovating old buildings for arts and cultural activities. A line of shophouses along Kerbau Road were designated for the project, and the area is currently known as the Little India Arts Belt. As of 2011, there are seven arts organizations in the Belt. Three are contemporary theatre companies, while the other organizations involve traditional arts such as Malay dance and Indian theatre.[13]
Transport
The area is served by the MRT on the North East line (at Little India and Farrer Park) and Downtown line (at Rochor and Jalan Besar). Bus services 23, 64, 65, 67, 131, 139, 147, and 857 pass through Little India via Serangoon Road.
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