Find what you're looking for on esplanade.com and on Offstage.

Find what you're looking for.

SUGGESTED SEARCHES

Events – Kalaa Utsavam 2025

Esplanade Presents

Talk

Oil, Henna, Identity: The Crossroads of Culture and Care

Monica Saranya Selva De Roy (Singapore)

23 Nov 2025, Sun, 5pm

1hr

(Intermission: None)

Esplanade Black Room

Free, registration is required

Register now
not cache
Synopsis Artist Information Date & Time
Synopsis

Join us for an intimate session exploring beauty and wellness through the lens of Indian cultural practices. Hear from Monica as she shares her personal journey as a Singaporean Tamil entrepreneur, navigating identity, heritage, modernity while building two businesses rooted in her cultural background. Through her personal anecdotes, unpack the celebrations and challenges of honouring age-old traditions in a contemporary world. The talk will focus on cultural heritage, wellness practices, and interactive learning.

Admission Age:
6 and above.
Language: English
Things to Note:
Accessibility: All our venues are wheelchair-accessible. We offer various services to support patrons with access needs. For assistance, please contact Esplanade Customer Experience at 6828 8377. To learn more, read our accessibility guide.
Artist Information

Monica Saranya Selva De Roy

Monica's Instagram | HaircareByMon's Instagram | HennaByMon's Instagram | HaircareByMon's TikTok | HennaByMon's TikTok

Monica Saranya Selva De Roy is the founder of HaircareByMon and HennaByMon, two homegrown brands rooted in Indian beauty rituals. As a second-generation Singaporean Tamil, Monica’s journey has been shaped by the constant negotiation of heritage and modern identity—from embracing ancestral practices like hair oiling and henna, to reimagining them for contemporary lifestyles. Her work celebrates tradition without diluting it, creating products and experiences that resonate across cultures. At Kalaa Utsavam, Monica shares her story of building businesses at the crossroads of beauty, wellness, and cultural belonging.

Date & Time

23 Nov 2025, Sun

5pm

Esplanade Black Room
ESPLANADE&ME

Become a member

Three membership cards depicting each membership tier, Discover, White and Black.

Great arts experiences begin with Esplanade&Me. Join this membership to enjoy ticket specials on shows at Esplanade, early bird specials, promotions at Esplanade Mall, unlimited access to Offstage and more.

Never miss a show again. Get on our mailing list.