THE PERANAKANNyonya Lena Ann-Shome writes about the formation of the Hati Kampong Chorus
The Hati Kampong Chorus: A Garden of Voices, A Home for the Heart, Joy for the Soul
When BabaGabraโs Instagram post appeared with an open invitation to join a choir for two performances celebrating International Migrants Day on 30 November and 14 December 2025, I had no idea I was stepping into something truly extraordinary.
Under the visionary guidance of Baba Richard Tan, what began as a simple idea soon blossomed into the Hati Kampong Chorus, drawing people from all walks of life into harmony.
From August 2025, we gathered every Sunday to practise in the warmth of Tanya Pillay-Nairโs home. Each session was accompanied by the comforting aromas of Chitty Melakan dishes and the irresistible spread of kueh-kueh and desserts. Over time, strangers became friends, and existing bonds deepened through music, laughter, and shared meals.
Vocal coach RHAUN guided our voices like a master chef layering flavours, turning rehearsals into a delicate balancing act โ much like blending the sweet, tangy, and savoury notes of a Peranakan Indian lauk pindang. Decisions on songs, harmonies, and choreography were always peppered with laughter and the occasional playful jolly moment, because what is a chorus without a little joget for the soul?
Our members are as colourful as the kebayas we wore. Peranakan Indians (Chitty Melaka) sang alongside friends from many ethnicities, each voice adding its own petal to the chorus. Lifeโs challenges, both seen and unseen, did not deter anyone. We showed up rain or shine, echoing the resilience of heritage โ much like the pandan leaf pressed into kueh, holding its shape even under heat.ย
Choosing a name was a meaningful journey. Suggestions ranged from โSambal Singersโ to โKebaya Kroonersโ, but Hati Kampong Chorus resonated most deeply. Hati, meaning heart, reflects care, sincerity, and passion. Kampong evokes a close-knit village where people support and celebrate one another. Together, the name embodies a chorus rooted not only in music, but in belonging, warmth, and shared humanity.
The celebrations for International Migrant Workers Day began on 30 November 2025 at Bedok Community Club with a Tok Panjang event. Volunteers and chorus members in traditional kebayas helped serve food, bringing migrant workers and the wider community together in a spirit of hospitality and unity.
This was made possible through the generosity of many partners. Kind Grower contributed fresh vegetables, Spore Singapore provided mushrooms at a discount, and Allspice cooked up a storm while securing donations of rice and oil.
Ganesan and his team supplied tables, chairs, and 400 banana leaves, enabling the team to serve over 400 attendees.
After the hearty vegetarian meal, the Chorus performed a lively medley of Aiyo Sammy, Dayung Sampan, Muneru Valliba, and Dick Leeโs Bunga Sayang. The audience clapped, cheered, and joget-ed along. Fans twirled, voices mingled, and hearts were full โ the chorus had truly come alive.ย
Our Tamandama Station was all geared up to deliver a session for over 120 people we estimate this was more. Helmed by Fel, Kah Ying, Sandra, Allen and Karthik and many more volunteers from MOM as well they were able to deliver this back breaking activity. Our migrant worker friends shared what the plants were useful for. One was great for blisters, another one was delicious and we saw them just pop the leaves in their mouths with a grin. We soon followed. All in all, it was a lovely afternoon sharing how we can preserve these heirloom plants.
As word spread about the Hati Kampong Chorus, invitations to perform followed, offering valuable opportunities to grow together through shared experience. Each performance became more than practice; it became a living expression of culture, connection, and community. Our journey also brought us to the Peranakan Museumโs Peacock Power exhibition on 15 and 16 November, and later to the Intergenerational Christmas Celebration at Commune Henderson on 12 December.
At the Henderson Christmas Light-Up, Merlin and her kakis delighted attendees with curry debal inspired by a EurasianโPeranakan Christmas, reminding us that heritage is preserved not only through performance, but through gathering around food. The event was graced by Guest of Honour Ms Joan Pereira, MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC, highlighting the importance of community-led cultural initiatives. The festivities culminated on 14 December at D โMarquee, Downtown East, with another tribute to International Migrants Day. Volunteers served laksa and supported Tamandama workshops. At the workshop, 100 participants explored the link between plants and Peranakan culture through food. Terong assam, sea almond shoots, and purple spinach spark ed conversations about sustainability, tradition, and everyday healing practices.ย
Photography by fotofocus (Stories in Pixels) Shaik Mohammed Sadat
The Hati Kampong Chorus closed the celebrations with a nal medley of Christmas songs. The main event drew over 10,000 attendees, and thanks to fundraising by Dulwich International School students and parents and the community sponsors, 600 bowls of laksa were served. These events underscored the power of collaboration, generosity, and music in building a true sense of community.
Looking ahead to 2026, we hope to continue spreading this joy with Kind Grower โ bringing quirky jazz vegetables to recreation centres, sharing pesticide-free produce, hosting banana-leaf vegetarian tok panjangs, and creating more opportunities to sing together.
Mari mari – let our chorus keep blooming!
The Hati Kampong Chorus hopes to continue sharing food, song, and community, and welcomes all who wish to lend a voice, a hand, or a heart. Contributions are welcome via UEN T07SS0189E to support ongoing and future community initiatives.
www.chitty.org.sg
30th Novย | Tok Panjang Event at Bedok Community Centre
Together with our friends at Allspice Institute, Visaga Vaibhavam’s, Spore Singapore and The Kind Grower, we were able to curate meals for the residents and the migrant workers. It was a joyful community event.ย
14th Dec 2025ย | At Downtown East with 8,000 people for the International Migrant Worker Thank you event
Rain poured down on us but we had fun with those lining up in the queue. Our laksa booth was a hit. We were only able to provide 600 bowls of piping hot laksa and would have loved to double it. We were all heartened by the happy faces that did not mind the 20-minute wait.
Learn more by watching this video. Video by BabaGabraโs Nick Kaharย
