{"id":5003,"date":"2026-09-04T03:02:29","date_gmt":"2026-09-04T03:02:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.peranakan.org.sg\/theperanakanmagazine\/?p=5003"},"modified":"2026-08-29T04:09:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-29T04:09:16","slug":"mama-mia-mothers-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.peranakan.org.sg\/theperanakanmagazine\/mama-mia-mothers-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Mama Mia Mother\u2019s Day"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Lena-Ann Shome of the Hati Kampong Chorus attends a special Mothers\u2019 Day celebration at Allspice Institute on 9th<\/sup> May 2026. Photos by Mahen Kalai.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You step into Allspice Institute, not quite knowing what to expect. The space greets you like an old friend, warm, textured, a little retro and quietly buzzing. Bright colours here, fairy lights there, hellos and hugs everywhere. There is an unmistakable hum of something heartfelt about to unfold. Very quickly, it becomes clear. This is not just an event, this is Mama Mia, Peranakan style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Around the space, thoughtful touches invited both curiosity and reflection. A literary corner offered quiet pause, while fundraising pieces carried stories of heritage and home. Among them were Raja Ismail\u2019s handcrafted miniature scenes, captured the soul of old kampong life with remarkable tenderness and detail. From nasi lemak stalls and roti carts to rustic kampong houses and street scenes, every piece is lovingly built at a small scale yet rich with texture, light, and storytelling. Tiny bulbs lit weathered wood and painted details, echoing a time many remember and others know only from stories. His work portrays a deep, local nostalgia, each corner alive with memory. Every piece is handmade and sold individually, and you could even commission a miniature version of your own home.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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Upcycled wine crates by Mr Jonathan S Pillay, became meaningful keepsakes with stories of their own \u2013 cheese board, tea caddies, a lazy susan and serving trays. See the video below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n