Migrant talent on display at first ever cultural show

Migrant talent on display at first ever cultural show

Article from Straits Times by Kevin Lim, published on 8th January 2018

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/migrant-talent-on-show

Sekar Arum (meaning fragrant flowers in Bahasa Indonesia), a group comprising Indonesian domestic helpers, performing a traditional Javanese dance at the inaugural Migrant Cultural Show held yesterday evening at the Arya Samaj Building in Little India.ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

Yesterday's first Migrant Cultural Show, which was organised by the migrant worker community, was a fun way for them to showcase their passions and talents, as well as break down cultural boundaries

Every Sunday - his only day off for the week - for the past two months, 30-year-old Bangladeshi construction worksite supervisor Fazley Elahi has been swopping his safety helmet for the hat of a show organiser.

Together with compatriots Ripon Chowdhury, 29, A.K. Zilani, 25, Sowrjik Sarothi Das, 25, Nil Sagar Sahin, 27, and Md Sharif Uddin, 39, Mr Fazley has embarked on a recruitment drive to uncover fellow migrant workers who share his passion for culture and the arts.

The group visited dance rehearsals by Filipino domestic workers at *Scape in Orchard Road, and watched music collaborations between Indonesian and Bangladeshi workers in Little India.

They also held drama auditions - in which they were also actors - at Sing Lit Station, a literary non-profit organisation in Jalan Kubor.

Their endeavour culminated in the inaugural Migrant Cultural Show, organised by the migrant worker community, which was held yesterday evening at the Arya Samaj Building in Little India.

The show, which lasted four hours, featured music, dance, drama and poetry performances by more than 90 foreign workers from countries such as Bangladesh, Indonesia, India and the Philippines.

"I want to promote cultural bonding and friendship between different nationalities through this event. This is a great opportunity to increase understanding between cultures and combat stereotypes," said Mr Fazley, who came to Singapore eight years ago.

Indonesian domestic helper Menik Sri Suyati, 46, who performed two traditional Javanese songs and dances as part of a duo, said the event provided a platform to showcase her talent.

Ms Menik, who has been working here for 15 years, used to be a professional dangdut singer in Central Java. Dangdut is a genre of Indonesian music that is partly derived from Hindustani, Malay and Arabic music.

Bangladeshi worker Ahsan Habib Sohel, 27, belting out a song as a member of the Migrants’ Band, a group comprising mostly Bangladeshi workers, during a rehearsal for the Migrant Cultural Show. Yesterday evening, the band also collaborated with a group of Indonesian migrant workers in a music performance. One of the aims of the show is to provide opportunities for migrant workers to bond culturally and promote diversity and friendship. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

"I thought my singing career was over when I came to Singapore to work. But I made friends who also enjoy singing and started joining singing competitions," she said.

"Having this cultural show is a very good idea. We can see the traditions and cultures from different countries. I hope it's not just for today. Maybe every year, if possible."

Another performer, Ms Belen Esposo Repollo, 42, a Filipino domestic helper, said she felt proud to have shared her poems - about love - with the audience.

Filipino domestic worker Belen Esposo Repollo, 42, receiving applause from her employers, Mr Wee Yik Keong 43, a civil servant, and his wife Rina Wee, 40, also a civil servant, and their daughters Rae Ann, 11, and Mae Ann, eight, after reciting her poem Where Is Y?, which is about love. Ms Repollo, a poetry lover, took part in the Singapore Writers Festival last year. According to Mrs Wee, Ms Repollo has even influenced Rae Ann and Mae Ann to develop an interest in writing poems. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

She started reading and writing poetry in 2012, four years after arriving in Singapore. A friend introduced her to the International Poetry Society, an online community of poetry lovers, and poetry became her way of dealing with homesickness.

"Poetry is now my life. Without poetry, maybe I'll still be in a dark place. People have the impression that maids are lowly. We are not just here to work, but also to change our lives," she said.

With her savings, she has managed to raise her three children, aged 21, 20 and 16, back home in the town of Cabangan.

Migrant workers of various nationalities in traditional costumes from Indonesia, the Philippines, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh. They appeared on stage at yesterday’s show as part of a special segment on traditional costumes. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

Ms Repollo's employer, Mrs Rina Wee, 40, a civil servant, said poetry has been a good platform for Ms Repollo to express herself and be exposed to like-minded people.

"She's always looking to improve herself. We support her by giving her time off when necessary and she has been able to balance her interests with her housework," said Mrs Wee.

Staging the Migrant Cultural Show was not easy for its organisers, who had to overcome challenges such as securing sponsorship, finding a suitable venue and coordinating rehearsals with various performing groups.

Migrant workers of various nationalities in traditional costumes from Indonesia, the Philippines, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh. They appeared on stage at yesterday’s show as part of a special segment on traditional costumes. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

Mr Fazley and his organising committee plan to make the show an annual affair.

"We want to constantly provide this opportunity for migrant workers to bond over the arts," he said.

"More importantly, I want to show Singapore that migrant workers are not just workers, but also have passion in the different arts."