The Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society was founded in the year 1949 and has completed now 61 years of establishment. The Society is devoted to the teaching of the classical arts in a non-formal environment. It began humbly, with just 12 members. Today it has a Principal, Academy Registrar, 22 full time teachers, over 1500 members and about 1,800 students with a pan-Indian curriculum that reflects the cultural diversity of a vast country with an ancient heritage .Developing and sustaining that curriculum has been one of the greatest challenges for the Society so far, but one which has yielded many benefits. It has fostered homegrown talent and created an awareness and understanding of the Indian cultural heritage, particularly valuable in the multi-ethnic Singapore.

To a large extent, the growth of the SIFAS has paralleled the growth of Singapore. From tough, early years, it graduated to an expansive period through the 80s and early 90s when it received much government support and consolidated its position.

In the early years, the Society’s efforts were principally directed towards the organisation of concerts in music and dance by local and visiting performers. In the 1950s efforts were channelled towards the creation of an Academy to provide tuition in the fine arts, initially in Carnatic music and Bharatha Natyam.

SIFAS needs to use the opportunities that arise as the transformation of Singapore into a global city for the arts get underway and face up to the challenges as competition increases. The restructured Society is preparing for this. The division of teaching and performance into two distinct entities has sharpened the focus. It will help in achieving a more ambitious goal-a redefining of identity, a move to a multi-cultural platform from a quintessentially Indian one, the growth of an artistic vision.

The Society’s philosophy is described in Sanskrit in its logo which reads:’Kala Samskrithi Lakshanam’ – art characterises civilisation.

The Society is a non-profit Indian cultural organisation in Singapore that has achieved a high level of technical excellence in Indian Fine Arts. Graduates trained at the Society’s Academy of Fine Arts provide principal support to other Indian cultural groups.

The contribution of the Society to Indian Fine Arts in Singapore has been extensive.