Garland maker Jayaselvam is no stranger to big occasions – He has made garlands for luminaries including Olympic gold medallist Joseph Schooling, former Prime Ministers Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong. Join him in an intimate workshop as he demonstrates the art of garland making.

Meet garland-maker, R Jayaselvam!

Hello everyone, you can call me Mr Selvam! Before I started making garlands in 1978, I was a machinist! Today, garland making is my passion and my rice bowl. For me, the most important aspect of this craft is passion. I always tell my students that it does not matter if the garland turns out ugly as long as you can proudly tell the gods that you have made them with your own hands and with heart.

Garland-making is also important to me as it is a way I connect with my family. Every Deepavali, I would enlist the help of my wife and two sons at the store. It is always a family affair and I am thankful for their support. I am excited to share my knowledge and stories accrued over the decades in this programme! See you then!

More about Anushia Flower Shop

Established in 1994, Anushia Flower Shop is named after Mr Selvam’s wife. Flowers are a necessity in many Hindu rituals: as part of traditional clothing, tributes to gods, festive decorations, and even medicine. For instance, during weddings, the bride makes her entrance beneath a flower canopy called the phoolon ki chaadar. It is typically decorated with bright red flowers to symbolise purity, protection, and bravery.

Anushia Flower Shop is also a pioneer in its field where they are the first garland maker in Singapore to digitalise their business. Their website was launched in 2019 with the help of Mr Selvam’s son and the move has greatly improved their business.

Details of the Programme

• Language: English
• Dates:

• Sat, 11 Sep: 1400-1530, 1600-1730
• Sun, 12 Sep: 1400-1530, 1600-1730
• Sat, 18 Sep: 1400-1530, 1600-1730
• Sun, 19 Sep: 1400-1530, 1600-1730
• Sat, 25 Sep: 1400-1530, 1600-1730
• Sun, 26 Sep: 1400-1530, 1600-1730
• Sat, 2 Oct: 1400-1530, 1600-1730
• Sun, 3 Oct: 1400-1530, 1600-1730

• Meeting Point:

• Entrance of Anushia Flowers (Inside Zhong Clan Association at 30 Veerasamy Road Singapore 207334)

• Please arrive 20 minutes before the event for registration. Our facilitators will be wearing our event t-shirt.
• Parking is unavailable at event premises.
• Venue is wheelchair accessible.
• The event will proceed rain or shine.

Who should come?

• Participants must be 13 years and above to participate.
• Individuals who are allergic to pollen and flowers may not be suitable for the event.

What to bring?

• Participants should bring along an umbrella, hand sanitisers and a bottle of water.
• Participants are encouraged to dress comfortably and wear covered shoes.
• Asthmatic individuals are encouraged to bring their inhaler.

COVID-19 Precautions

• All hosts and facilitators in this tour programme are fully vaccinated or have taken a Pre-Event Test (PET) in the past 24 hours
• Facilitators in this tour or programme are trained in basic first-aid.
• All participants must complete TraceTogether, a health declaration form and temperature taking at the start of the event.
• All participants must wear their masks properly throughout the event.
• All participants must maintain a one-metre distance from other participants during the event.

Disclaimer

• All ticket sales are final. There will be no refund if you wish to cancel your tickets.
• By agreeing to participate in the event, participants are responsible for any injury, loss or damage due to the negligence on his/her part or of the children under his/her charge.
• Participants must abide by the house rules set out by the host. Facilitators will brief participants at the start of the programme.
• Videos and photographs may also be taken during the event. By registering for this event, you give My Community full rights to use the photos for marketing and publicity.

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