Multi-culturalism and harmony celebrated with urumi drums at st patrick's day festiva

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An honorable member of the Coffee Shop Has Just Posted the Following:

MULTI-CULTURALISM AND HARMONY CELEBRATED WITH URUMI DRUMS AT ST PATRICK'S DAY FESTIVAL

Post date:
16 Mar 2015 - 12:28am









The St Patrick's Day street festival was held over the weekend with road closures at Circular Road. Celebrations included dancing, alcohol, food, music and a street parade along the Singapore River.
(Circular Road to be Closed this Weekend for St Patrick's Day Street Festival)
In a heartwarming show of solidarity and tolerance to Singapore's rich multiculturalism, the organizers of the St Patrick's Day festival welcomed Urumi players to join in and contribute to the festivities.
It is understood that this was made possible by negotiations by Lawyer M Ravi and two other Independent Candidates with Mr Collin.
See the video of the Urumi drummers here: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=957949830916851&set=vb.416856241692...
Here is what M Ravi wrote about it:
Urumi melam found its way in the Saint Patrick's Day March. Mr M.Ravi and the two independents candidates after negotiating with organiser Mr Collin whom than understood the sentiments of our Singapore Indian brothers and suggested the Urumi players to participate in the march even though one of the Singaporean organiser told us no Indian instruments allowed.





Many photos of the event were also shared online by Zixu Lee who explained that it was a wonderful event and how even the St Patrick's Day organisers were shocked that the Urumi was banned from the Thaipusam festival:
We are thankful to the Irish community and Mr Colin Macdonald for inviting us to perform at the St Patrick's day parade 2015. Mr Colin said "We welcome everybody to join. Next year, please come down and bring your drums; bring everything! We welcome you!""
The participants love the drums and danced along with music. There was another local group playing drums as well. A thai group was performing a dance at UOB Plaza foyer. What a joyous moment to celebrate multiculturalism and foster international relationships!
It's a pity that the Urumi drums are not allowed to be play during the Thaipusam festival. Mr Colin expressed shocked over the ban as well.

While it is great that the St Patrick's Day organisers have opened their arms to and welcomed our local Indian brothers and sisters, some Singaporeans have also pointed out that it is equally sad that our local Indians must resort to 'borrowing' other groups' festivities in order to celebrate with their own cultural instruments.
It seems that the different races living together in Singapore enjoy good harmony and know how to accommodate each other but the authorities are still lagging behind and enforcing different rules for different races and religions in Singapore.


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