Dance of Unity Charity Concert Held in Singapore to Support Sri Lanka Cyclone Relief

A multicultural charity concert in Singapore brought together artists and communities to raise support for Sri Lanka’s recovery after Cyclone Ditwah.

A multicultural charity concert titled “Dance of Unity: Rebuilding Sri Lanka” was held on 05 March 2026 at the PGP Hall in Singapore to raise funds for communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka.

The initiative was organised by Apsaras Dance Company, with the guidance of former Singaporean diplomat Ambassador K. Kesavapany, in collaboration with the Singapore Red Cross. The event received support from the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Singapore, the Maha Karuna Buddhist Society, and the Singapore Sinhala Buddhist Association. The venue was sponsored by the Hindu Endowments Board.

The concert aimed to mobilise public support for the humanitarian response led by the Singapore Red Cross in Sri Lanka. The event was attended by several distinguished guests including High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Senarath Dissanayake, Ambassador K. Kesavapany, and Mr Benjamin William, CEO of the Singapore Red Cross.

The religious advisor of the Maha Karuna Buddhist Society, Rev Dr. K. Gunaratana Thero, sponsored refreshments for participants. Representatives of Singapore-based community associations were also present at the event.

The charity concert featured performances by leading arts organisations in Singapore. These included Apsaras Dance Company, Bhaskar’s Arts Academy, ERA Dance Theatre, Omkar Arts, Re Xin Opera Association, Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society, Svayambhu Arts, Tatva Productions Pte. Ltd. and Temple of Fine Arts. Artists from Singapore’s Indian, Malay, Chinese, and Sri Lankan communities performed together, promoting unity and solidarity through culture and art.

The event attracted over 250 attendees, including donors, members of the business community, representatives of religious and community organisations, and members of the Sri Lankan community living in Singapore.

The initiative highlighted the strong friendship between Singapore and Sri Lanka, and demonstrated the support shown by Singaporean communities for Sri Lanka’s recovery efforts.

Cyclone Ditwah, which struck Sri Lanka in late November and early December 2025, caused severe flooding and landslides across many parts of the country. Nearly 2.35 million people from more than 668,000 families were affected. The disaster led to significant loss of life and caused major damage to homes, infrastructure, agriculture, and livelihoods. Thousands of families were displaced, and many community institutions, including schools and places of worship, were heavily damaged.

Voices from the Performers

We spoke to young contributors to the cause — students from Wise Oaks International School, Global Indian International School, Singapore American School and Dover Court International School — who participated in the Dance of Unity – Rebuilding Sri Lanka charity concert under the guidance of Kathak teacher Guru Natasha of Tatva Productions. Through days of intensive practice and mentorship, the students not only prepared for the stage but also experienced the discipline, storytelling and cultural richness of classical Kathak.

Swapnita

Grade 5, Wise Oaks International School, Singapore

“Practicing together for ten days after school was a wonderful experience. Preparing as a team and performing Kathak on stage made the journey exciting and memorable.”

Niharika Gulati

Regional Director – APAC Region, Gimmefy AI

“Performing the Holi Kathak piece became much more than a performance. Through days of preparation, it felt like a form of sadhana where rhythm, movement and devotion came together.”

Aradhya Goyal

Age 9, Grade 4, Global Indian International School

“Learning Kathak has been an amazing journey. It helped me discover how dance can tell stories and express emotions. Performing on stage made me feel proud and confident.”

Kshetra

Age 10, Grade 5, Wise Oaks International School

“Being part of this charity performance was a wonderful opportunity. The days of practice were a great learning experience and made me feel proud and more confident as a dancer.”

Ariana Garg

Age 9, Grade 3, Singapore American School

“I am learning Broadway Jazz too, but Kathak is so beautiful — I love the footwork and spins. Learning it with my mum is the best part.”

Manisha Garg

Banking Professional, Singapore

“Learning Kathak alongside my daughter fulfilled a childhood dream. Balancing work and family commitments while preparing for the performance made the experience deeply meaningful.”