Singapore, April 4 — Indian-origin rangoli artist Vijayalakshmi Mohan has been honoured by Singapore's National Heritage Board (NHB) for her outstanding contributions to preserving and promoting intangible cultural heritage (ICH) within the local community.
Award for Cultural Preservation
Mohan, 66, was among five recipients of the prestigious Stewards of Intangible Cultural Heritage Award, presented at the National Gallery Singapore by Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Edwin Tong. The annual award recognises individuals and organisations who have passed down traditional skills and knowledge to younger generations.Each awardee received a certificate, SGD 5,000 in cash, and eligibility for a project grant of up to SGD 20,000. They will also be offered platforms at NHB events to showcase their craft and cultural practices.
Lifelong Dedication to Rangoli Art
Hailing from Trichy in Tamil Nadu, Mohan began learning the intricate art of rangoli—specifically kolam, a South Indian form that employs white rice flour and geometrical designs—at the age of five from her mother.“In South India, we do a white-coloured design called ‘kolam’, and we do patterns based on mathematical principles and geometrical designs,” she told The Straits Times.
After relocating to Singapore in 1992 and gaining citizenship in 2005, Mohan has continued the tradition, drawing elaborate rangoli designs outside her home daily at 6:30 a.m.
From Personal Passion to Community Impact
Her journey in Singapore began with a memorable experience in a 1993 rangoli competition, where her debut design of Hindu deity Ganesha was disrupted by wind—leading to disqualification but sparking a lifelong mission.Since then, Mohan has conducted numerous rangoli workshops at schools and universities. In 2015, she and her husband N. Mohan co-founded Singa Rangoli, a company that blends traditional design with modern materials like CDs, pistachio shells, and coloured straws. Through their work, they aim to make rangoli accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
“I feel that the recognition that comes with this award can tell the youth that they, too, can be involved and try to learn the art,” Mohan shared.
Recognising Living Heritage
The other recipients of this year’s award include:- Malay drum maker Mohamed Yaziz Mohamed Hassan
- Peranakan-style jeweller Thomis Kwan
- Chinese tea company Pek Sin Choon
- Teochew pastry shop Thye Moh Chan
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