2024 Recipients

2024 Recipients

Mohamed Yaziz Bin Mohamed Hassan

Making and Repair of Malay Drums; and Malay Music Traditions

Image Credit: National Heritage Board

 

 

Mr Mohamed Yaziz Bin Mohamed Hassan has dedicated over three decades to the practice of traditional Malay drums. As the co-founder of the NADI Singapura ensemble, he mentors students in crafting and repairing traditional Malay drums, and has led the ensemble to direct numerous large-scale productions, such as Singa Drum Gaia Fiesta. He has also organised workshops and training sessions for schools, Institutes of Higher Learning, and the public on the maintenance of traditional Malay drums. Beyond these initiatives, he actively provides guidance to current and aspiring educators in traditional Malay music through NADI Singapura’s KIBAR programme.

Thomis Kwan

Craft and Practices related to the Peranakan Kebaya

Image Credit: National Heritage Board

 

 

Mr Thomis Kwan is a practitioner in Peranakan-style jewellery with over three decades of expertise. The jewellery pieces crafted by Mr Kwan, such as the kerongsang (brooch) are often worn with the Peranakan kebaya. As the second-generation owner of Foundation Jewellers, he mentors his team of designers and craft practitioners in Peranakan jewellery-making. To support the continuity of his craft while maintaining cultural traditions, he has also adopted laser-cutting equipment to streamline production processes. Mr Kwan also actively promotes greater appreciation for the craft and significance of Peranakan-style jewellery through various conventions, interviews, and other platforms locally and internationally

Vijayalakshmi Mohan

Rangoli

Image Credit: National Heritage Board

 

 

Mrs Vijayalakshmi Mohan has been a dedicated practitioner of rangoli with over 60 years of experience in the craft. She has created more than 8,000 rangolis in Singapore, and over 20,000 rangolis globally. Notably, she is the current Guinness World Record holder for the largest rangoli pattern created. As the founder of Singa Rangoli, she actively experiments with new materials and contemporary designs for her rangoli works. Beyond her own practice, Mrs Vijaya Mohan promotes rangoli through art classes and workshops, and trains a team of practitioners who conduct regular workshops for schools and community groups. As a trained arts therapist, she works with welfare organisations to conduct rangoli programmes for underserved communities.

Pek Sin Choon

Making and Sharing of Tea

Image Credit: National Heritage Board

 

 

Pek Sin Choon stands as one of Singapore’s oldest Chinese tea merchants. Established in 1925, the company is led by fourth-generation owner and tea master Mr Kenry Peh. Since the 1990s, it has also served as a key tea supplier to the bak kut teh (pork rib soup) market. Today, the tea merchant conducts workshops, tea appreciation sessions, as well as regular heritage tours to educate visitors about the history and production processes of Nanyang tea. They also actively collaborate with arts and cultural institutions, charities, and private entities, to create bespoke tea blends. The company extends its expertise by mentoring the younger generation of tea enthusiasts and collaborating with schools and Institutes of Higher Learning to document skills in tea re-firing and blending.

Thye Moh Chan

Making of Chinese Pastries

Image Credit: National Heritage Board

 

 

Thye Moh Chan has been preserving the art of traditional Chinese pastry-making since it was founded in 1943. Following its acquisition by the BreadTalk Group in 2012, veteran chefs from the business continue to mentor younger chefs and codify traditional pastry-making techniques to preserve and pass down the food heritage practice. Beyond its craft, Thye Moh Chan actively promotes Teochew culture through participation in community events and cultural festivals, such as Thye Moh Chan Teochew Festival and River Hongbao, fostering a deeper appreciation for the significance of Chinese pastries in cultural practices.

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