Tag Archives: little india

events, random musings, Singapore heartland, work

Panasonic Fun Learning Workshop 1 – Photos Make Your Blogs Go Pop!

June 15, 2012 alvinology 1 Comment

As part of the lead-up programs to the Singapore Blog Awards 2012 award ceremony on 21 July, omy.sg organised a series of fun learning workshops for everyone, together with presenting sponsor, Panasonic.

Workshop venue sponsored by Albert Court Village Hotel

Exterior of the chic Albert Court Village Hotel

The first workshop was a photography workshop over the weekend with bloggers, Jerome Lim and Christine Ng as they share tips on photography as well as insights on effective story-telling through images.

James from Panasonic sharing technical tricks on the Lumix cameras

Participants get to be among the first in Singapore to try out the Panasonic Lumix GF5 camera – the camera only just launched in the local market the same week!

Successful jump shot — Successful group jump shot

The workshop was held at the heritage site of Albert Court Village Hotel, located just beside Sim Lim Square and near the Little India area.

After listening to the presentations by Christine, Jerome and James from Panasonic, the participants were treated to some light refreshment, courtesy of Albert Court Village Hotel before setting off on a photography walking trail round Little India:

A group of Panasonic photographers invading a store in Little India

(L to R): Coconut, mango and banana flower

An entire shop selling bangles and trinkets

One of the many goldsmiths along Little India

A technology firm on a second floor unit

The decor and theme for this restaurant is really cheesy, but yet attractive in a strange way

The staff from Jungle Tandoori were happy to pose for photographs and chat with everyone

Ghandi Video and Photo - Very Cheap Rates! — Ghandi Video and Photo – Very Cheap Rates!

You can take these Bollywood-style passport photos for just $3!

The colourful and iconic Residence of Tan Teng Niah

Front view of the colourful heritage building

Christine and Jerome addressing the participants

Cute statue outside an Indian restaurant

A shop selling images of Hindi Gods and Goddesses

This used to be the tallest building in Singapore

Walking back to the hotel to end off the trail

A tourist with a Panasonic camera, approaching James for help with his camera functions

The weather was sweltering hot as usual, but everyone had a good time, snapping away on their Panasonic GF3 and GF5 loan sets.

Did I mention that this workshop is completely FREE? This is all thanks to the generous sponsorship of Panasonic.

There are another two fun workshops with Panasonic and omy.sg coming up soon. The second workshop, “Eco-Craft for You and Your Lil’ One” has just ended its registration. Popular blogger and youtube video host, Joanne Marie-Sim will be teaching parents and their child, aged between 5 to 12 on some simple environmental crafts.

The last workshop will be a cooking demonstration by food bloggers Daniel Ang and Maureen Ow. More details will be available closer to date. Again, this is completely FREE! Do keep a look out!

family & friends, foodie, random musings, Singapore heartland, the arts

Seelan Palay’s solo art exhibition

August 12, 2009 alvinology 1 Comment

A sole black and white poster on the exhibition

Rachel, Leon, Melvin, Hajar and I visited social activist Seelan Palay‘s solo art exhibition at the strangely-named “Your Mother Gallery” located at Hindoo Road in Little India.

Not familiar with the area, it took some time before the five of us managed to even meet each other and took even more time for us to navigate (apparently, there are two Hindoo roads in Little India).

Leon and I got acquainted with Seelan during our filmmaking days. Quiet and always with a smile on his face, he is a very friendly chap to share conversation with. Beneath the tranquil appearance is a fiery personality who believes strongly in speaking up and fighting for freedom and democracy.

I wasnt lying about the gallerys name — I wasn't lying about the gallery's name

A video installation featuring the late freedom fighter, Mr. JBJ

Large print of ex-ISA detainee, Vincent Cheng

Leon and Rachel chatting with another visitor

Seelan’s personality sums up his artworks – there’s more than meets the eye. However, while the messages were strong and forceful, I thought the execution was a tad disappointing. Seelan’s choice of media – newspaper collages and block prints – were too simple, considering the bold messages they encompass. Then again, the effect could have been deliberate and that’s just my personal observation. You can read a more detailed review via the Kent Ridge Common by Melvin Chan.

From a marketing perspective, Seelan Palay has a unique branding as a local artist who has been prosecuted (for his involvement with the SDP) by the state and has paid for his beliefs. I cannot name any other resident artist who can boast of such a “credential”.

After checking out the exhibition, the bunch of us headed to one of the new Indian restaurants opposite Mustafa Centre for dinner. The food was not too good, compared to Anjappar, which Rachel and I visited earlier.

Still, it rounded up an eventful evening where I got to catch up with some old friends and at the same time, check out off-beat artworks in squeaky clean Singapore.

Melvins naan with butter chicken — Melvin's naan with butter chicken

In case you are interested:

The gallery is located at 91A Hindoo Road (the Jalan Besar end), Little India, Singapore. It is close to Mustafa Centre, along Jalan Besar Road, and is closest to Farrer Park MRT. To arrange for an appointment to visit this exhibition, contact Seelan Palay at 92445785 or via email at seelanpalay@gmail.com. The exhibition runs from 25 July to 17 August. Visit his blog at http://seelanpalay.blogspot.com.

Technorati Tags: seelan palay, seelan palay solo exhibition, hindoo road, your mother gallery, mustafa centre, little india, singapore social activist, singapore artist, singapore art exhibition, newspaper collage, jbj, vincent cheng, melvin chan, kent ridge common

foodie, random musings, Singapore heartland

Anjappar Authentic Chenttinaad Restaurant (Singapore)

July 30, 2009 alvinology Leave a comment

Rachel and I popped by Mustafa Centre a few weeks back to help her dad exchange some foreign currencies. It was then that we realised the stretch of shops along Syed Alwi Road, directly facing Mustafa, touting cheap CDs and other souvenirs have all been replaced by a whole row of spanking new air-conditioned restaurants serving various Indian cuisines.

This is probably a sign of the growing rich and affluence expat Indian families moving into Singapore as the Little India locale shift in their shop mix to cater to the needs of these new immigrants.

I am a fan of Indian cuisines, drawn to the aroma of funky spices, used generously. Hence we decided to try out a few of the restaurants in the stretch, one at the time.

For a starter, we chose Anjappar as it is the only one which has an international franchise in other countries like Canada, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. It has two outlets in Singapore, the other one is located at Racecourse Road.

A picture of Mr Anjappan, the restaurant founder, inside the menu

Inside the restaurant - Rachel and I were the only non-Indian customers that day

I ordered an onion utthappam, while Rachel ordered a garlic naan and a plate of quail curry. We also ordered a mango lassi to share. The quail was a bit overcooked and tough to chew. Otherwise, the food was pretty good. We particularly liked the utthappam which was like a cross between a soft fluffy pancake and a roti prata.