Then, a friend who was a vice-president at the Singapore Indian Fine Arts Association (SIFAS) encouraged him to apply his administrative skills to artists and shows brought in by the association, so that it would lead to more professional and less ad hoc management. Sachithananthan had by then served a long career in education as a teacher and as a principal. Seeing that he had something of use to offer to the arts for which he felt so passionate, Sachithananthan agreed and began a many-decade long career in arts administration with SIFAS that would see him contribute significantly to the development of Indian arts in Singapore.

At SIFAS, Sachithananthan served as a producer and promoter of shows featuring both Singapore artists and international artists, featuring legends like Ravi Shankar and Leela Samson in the early days. He believed in having strong foundations in classical art forms, and put up shows that showcased leading Bharatanatyam dance schools from India including Kalakshetra.

Sachithananthan also had a progressive mindset, and believed in the evolution of classical arts to reflect the identity of the place where it is practised. To this end, he found time to attend performances by other cultural groups to explore how a cross-cultural collaboration might take place, resulting in shared presentations with Chinese and Malay cultural organisations such as the Buddhist Association in Singapore.

Besides his service to the performing arts, Sachithananthan was also a key player in organising art exhibitions and symposiums, organised in close collaboration with the National Arts Council.

In 1972, he stepped up to the role of a management committee member in SIFAS and began serving as a vice president, a role that he continues to hold today. As part of his efforts to raise the artistic standards in Singapore, Sachithananthan would invite Indian classical art teachers from India to come to Singapore to teach artists here. In 1974, he brought this effort to its full realisation, setting up the SIFAS Academy of Fine Arts, to further develop and refine the teaching and learning of Indian classical arts in Singapore.

Since 1977, Sachithananthan has also been serving the People’s Association as the vice chairman of the Narpani Pearavai Indian Activity Group, organising cultural programmes at various community centres around Singapore.

In recognition of his efforts and contributions to Indian arts in Singapore, he received the Long Service Award from the People’s Association in 1987 and the Special Recognition Award by the Ministry of Information and the Arts in 2000. In 2001, Sachithananthan received the Pingat Bakti Masyarakat (Public Service Medal).

Sachithananthan currently continues his work in the arts with SIFAS and the People’s Association, passionate in his belief that arts and culture provides a people with their inner strength and identity.

Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society