Kalari Academy’s Tenth Anniversary Event on 19 July 2025

Opening

1.         Good afternoon to everyone It is indeed a pleasure to be here. Thanks for joining us today at the Indian Heritage Centre as we celebrate Kalari Academy's 10th Anniversary. What an achievement, ten years!

2.         This milestone celebration marks a decade of dedication to safeguarding and promoting traditional Indian martial arts forms in Singapore.

The Rich Heritage of Indian Martial Arts

3.         Kalaripayattu and Silambam hold a special meaning and place in martial arts history.

      a.    Firstly, of course, you bring the students through discipline, which is the important thing.

      b.    You uplift heritage and culture for us to get back to the roots of how all of this first started.

      c.    And of course, it is a wonderful way to keep fit, particularly among our young these days.

A Decade of Growth and Achievement

4.         But in a decade of growth and achievement, I think a lot has been done.

      a.    I wanted to highlight the founders, Mr Vedagiri and Mr Reuben, for the wonderful work since the founding of Kalari Academy in 2015.

      b.    The decade of martial arts experience was captured in today’s photo exhibition, from your humble beginnings at Kallang Riverside Park to a permanent space on Serangoon Road today.

      c.    I am sure you must have had your challenges during COVID-19, conducting online zoom lessons.

      d.    And you have introduced innovative programs such as Ladies-Only classes in 2023.

5.         The academy has impacted several people over the past decade and that has been a remarkable achievement.

      a.    You have today trained over 500 students from diverse backgrounds.

      b.    And achieved, most remarkably, 45% of female participation, showing strong gender diversity.

      c.    You have engaged youths particularly, with 60% of your students under the age of 18.

      d.    And you remain the only school that is dedicated for Silambam and Kalaripayattu. That again is a remarkable achievement.

Contributing back to the Community

6.         It goes to show that traditional art forms, such as Silambam and Kalaripayattu, have a place in Singapore and in Singapore's rich multicultural fabric and identity.

      a.    By providing this space to the people from all backgrounds to be able to train together, you create lasting friendships and shared memories.

      b.    I also understand that you collaborate with many people regularly, with many people. We were talking about your collaboration with the Wushu teams in Singapore; I think there are many similarities between Kalaripayattu and Wushu, as well as Silambam.

            i.    And also, you have done some work with the Asian Civilisations Museum, on a play called Saptamatrika or Seven Mothers at the Light to Night Festival in 2024.

            ii.    These collaborations with other martial arts groups and other heritage groups should continue in the future, and I'm sure you will do so as you go through several performances and workshops, as you have done in the past, during Children's Season, Indian New Year, and of course, Racial Harmony Day.

Commemorative Book Launch

7.         I am also deeply delighted to launch the Kalari Academy's 10th anniversary commemorative book, which chronicles:

      a.    Your history and the journey that you’ve had, and

      b.    The stories of students, instructors, and how you have interacted with the community.

 Vision for the Future

8.         I am from MCCY and sports, of course, is a powerful way to bring communities together.

      a.    It is a form of natural social cohesion within Singapore and you have been doing your part, and I'm sure you'll do more as we interact, not only with Indian groups, not just the martial arts groups, but also Ayurvedic massage, food, all of that which form the basis of Indian culture and the way in which warfare and physical activities, were done in the past.

      b.    But beyond that, in a place like Singapore with multiple art forms, both in our Malay and Chinese communities, I think the Academy can do a lot to integrate with our friends and brothers and sisters from the Chinese art forms as well as the Malay art forms. And we can make this a much stronger, well integrated cultural journey, and one of heritage as well.

Conclusion

9.         Once again, I would like to specially acknowledge Mr Vedagiri and Mr Reuben, for your wonderful efforts over the last years to where we are today.

10.      As we celebrate the 10th year milestone, let us reaffirm our commitment to supporting each other, particularly vulnerable groups as well, as we continue to strengthen our traditional links and enrich our national heritage.

11.      I wish you the very best for the future. Thank you very much, and once again, my heartiest congratulations to Kalari Academy for this significant milestone!