This video is in no way a move to disregard the government and its laws. However, due to the "comprehensive guide" made public for this year's Thaipusam festival, many questioned its rigidity. One of the rules was "not allowing music from boomboxes, drums and gongs". The reason that was explained for this rule is due to the concerns raised that "participants use the event as an excuse to be rowdy". But what we say is, the music and the instruments bring out the spirit of Thaipusam. Devotees, especially the kavadi bearers, depend on the music to motivate them. By not allowing the use of cymbals and drums, the festival will not be what it is. Imagine trudging along bearing the weight of the kavadi on your shoulders, without the lively beat of the drums and the singing helping you along. That's what was sadly seen during this year's Thaipusam. Hence, our videos. We brought along our instruments that night at the risk of getting caught as we wanted to prove something. People love the music. A festival such as Thaisupam needs such music to come alive. We decided that night, that we wanted to play for everyone and anyone. Even people we didn't know. We wanted to show that the music is essential and we were proven right by the joy displayed by kavadi bearers and spectators. We went up to each bearer we saw and asked them if they wanted to dance. And each one said yes. The music started and the kavadis twirled and spun round and round in the true Thaipusam spirit. Spectators started clapping and dancing and people were enjoying themselves. Finally! A Caucasian lady even came up to us and said, "Thank you, you play wonderfully. I love it!". Our point we want to make with all this is that, Thaipusam only comes around once a year. With all the strict rules and bans, we won't be surprised if soon, the festival will see it's last days if the mood is continually dampened and people lose interest. So with all that has been said, we hope the government would consider letting loose a little and lift the ban on musical instruments. Let's show that Singaporeans can be AND can have fun. If only we are given the chance to. As an end it this, we would sadly like to state that in a true Singapore law enforcing move, our musical entourage that night was disbanded when the police swooped in on us and confiscated our instruments. Bummer.
