About the Sabai
The Singapore Hindu Sabai exists to promote the religious, social, intellectual, cultural and general welfare of the Hindu community in Singapore. It is a registered charity, run by an elected committee of volunteers, and it has served that purpose across generations of Singapore's Hindu families.
Founded to answer questions no one else would.
By the 1950s a sizeable Tamil-speaking Hindu community had settled in Singapore — migrants from Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka and Malaya, living in Serangoon, Sembawang, Tanjong Pagar, Pasir Panjang, Changi and Bukit Panjang. They had built temples and schools, but for religious, customary and traditional matters they still had to look back to their homeland, and the arrangements were slow and bureaucratic. In 1953 a group of like-minded people met at Sri Veeramakaaliamman Temple on Serangoon Road and resolved to form a society that could answer those questions here. The Registrar of Societies accepted the registration in April 1954.
In the years that followed the Sabai spoke for the community where it mattered: on the Hindu Marriage Bill, on the maintenance of crematoria and burial grounds, on where post-cremation rites could be performed, and on Tamil representation in government advisory groups. Work of that kind — practical, unglamorous, and on behalf of people who have no other voice — has been the Sabai's purpose from the beginning.
Source: “The Singapore Hindu Sabai since 1954”, compiled by Mr T Jothenathan, 1 September 2025.
Read the full historyWhat we are for
The Executive Committee is working through its mission, vision and core values with sub-committees, and has drawn in professionals and experienced social workers to advise. They will be published here once the committee has adopted them. Until then the Sabai's objects, set out in its Rules and Bye-laws, are the accurate statement of what it exists to do.
- 1953
Community members meet at Sri Veeramakaaliamman Temple, Serangoon Road, and resolve to form a society for the religious, traditional, cultural and social needs of Tamil-speaking Hindus in Singapore. Mr Packrisamy Pillai JP, Mr P. Govindasamy Pillai and Mr Dhasaratharaj lend their support.
The Singapore Hindu Sabai since 1954
- 1954
The Registrar of Societies accepts the registration of The Singapore Hindu Sabai in April, under registration number 60/54 REL. The Sabai operates from 21 Kinta Road, the home of one of its members.
The Singapore Hindu Sabai since 1954
- 1976
The Sabai petitions the Minister for Social Affairs for a site for traditional firewood cremation, after the Government announces the closure of crematorium operations at Upper Aljunied Road.
The Straits Times, 13 September 1976
- 1994
The Sabai registers with the Commissioner of Charities as a charitable organisation, under charity number 01002.
The Singapore Hindu Sabai since 1954
- 2015
The Sabai co-organises the Indian New Year Show with Kampong Chai Chee CC's Indian Activity Executive Committee, staged by around 150 residents.
Tabla, 8 May 2015
- 2020
As Covid-19 takes hold, the Sabai's long-running assistance scheme is revamped as the Family Assistance Programme. It begins in April with four families.
The Singapore Hindu Sabai since 1954
- 2023
The bicentenary of Vallalar's birth. The Sabai stages a full dance drama of his life, performed by a fifteen-member group from Ipoh, and members attend the first World Arutperoli Arutperunjothi conference in Kuala Lumpur.
Executive Committee's report, 2023/2024
- 2025
The Sabai's seventy-first year. More than eight hundred people attend the Vel Maaral mass chanting at PGP Hall, and the Family Assistance Programme is supporting over thirty families.
The Singapore Hindu Sabai since 1954
What the Sabai was constituted to do
Rule 2.1 states the Sabai's object: to promote the religious, social, intellectual, cultural and general welfare of the Hindu community. Rule 2.2 sets out how — provided nothing is done for commercial reasons or solely for profit, the Sabai may:
- Provide advice on Hindu religion, custom and traditional matters to its members and the Hindu community
- Provide advice and counselling services to its members and the Hindu community
- Give scholarships, bursaries and grants to needy Hindu children to continue their studies in higher classes
- Provide grants to meet the whole or part of the funeral expenses of destitutes, orphans and poor members of the Hindu community
- Establish, carry on or participate in the printing or publishing of newspapers, journals, books, pamphlets and other publications in the interest of the Hindu community
- Affiliate with Hindu temples and other cultural and social organisations, to promote and preserve Hindu religion, culture, customs, traditions, education and general welfare
- Provide or establish institutions such as childcare centres, crisis shelters, welfare homes, educational centres and family service centres
- Establish, carry on or participate in Hindu customary, cultural and traditional services, to promote and preserve Hindu custom, culture and tradition in Singapore
- Arrange for local and foreign scholars and professionals to deliver talks and conduct courses and seminars on subjects related to these objects
- Participate in or organise other activities and events within the ambit of the Rules and Bye-laws
Rule 2, The Singapore Hindu Sabai Rules and Bye-laws, correct as at June 2025.
Read the Rules and Bye-lawsHow we are run
Supreme authority rests with the Annual General Meeting, and subject to it the Sabai is governed by an elected Executive Committee of volunteers, accountable to its members and to the Commissioner of Charities. The financial year runs from 1 January to 31 December, the accounts are audited by two internal auditors elected by the members, and annual reports and financial statements are filed publicly.
- President
- Thirunavukarasu Jothenathan
- Vice-President
- Subramaniam s/o Arunasalam
- Hon. Secretary
- Subramaniam s/o Thirumani
- Hon. Treasurer
- Mohan s/o Alagappa Konar Ramasamy
- Asst. Secretary
- Puspa d/o Sahadevan
- Asst. Secretary
- Thadakaluru Murali
- Asst. Treasurer
- Shanta S
Your giving goes directly to families.
Contributions to the Sabai fund bursaries for students, assistance for families arranging funerals, and the cultural and educational work that keeps Hindu practice alive in Singapore.