First People’s Cultural Concert
“…new phase that the people of Singapore has entered into, and their determination to live together in peace and harmony, in tolerance and understanding of each other's differing cultures, ways of life…”
Speech by then Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew
Aneka Ragam Ra'ayat on 9 Dec 1959
When Singapore became a self-governing state in 1959, the newly-appointed government found it necessary to develop a sense of national identity among the people. The Ministry of Culture decided to hold a cultural concert to help the different races better understand each other’s culture. It was then that the idea of Aneka Ragam Ra'ayat (People’s Cultural Concert) was formed.
The typical Aneka Ragam Ra'ayat programme was multi-racial, with representation from all four major cultural streams. At an Aneka Ragam Ra'ayat, you could listen to Chinese opera, tap your feet to the strong beats of Indian dance, get serenaded by western classical tunes as well as watch the intricacies of Malay traditional dance.
The last Aneka Ragam Ra'ayat was held in 1963.
Photos courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.
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