Migrant Workers Presented Martial Arts Dancing Talent on a Tamil-Language Show Contest

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore, it’s that we should treat our migrant workers better.

High infection rates in migrant workers’ dormitories have brought to light their appallingly cramped living conditions.

Many of them have also had to contend with prolonged lockdowns, which is even harder when you’re in a small room with several other people.

Fortunately, it seems that the stresses of the pandemic have not gotten these workers down, as some are willing to showcase their talents to entertain others.

Migrant Workers Presented Martial Arts Dancing Talent on a Tamil-language Show Contest

He entered the competition with the aim of providing entertainment, but Mr Sandhirakasan Ganesan is now among the top 20 finalists of a television competition series.

His talent, martial arts, is something he’s been passionate about since he was just 12. He has participated in international competitions representing India and even won the silver medal at the first Silambam World Championship in 2010.

So when he heard that Chill Pannu Maappi!, a Tamil-language variety show, was organising a talent competition for migrant workers here, he decided to make a submission of his own.

The 33-year-old recorded himself performing a self-choreographed Silambam routine with a bamboo staff in Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park.

Have a look:

For the unacquainted, Silambam is a martial art form that originated in south India.

Despite making it to the top 20, Mr Ganesan maintains that he did not submit the video to win the talent contest.

“I wanted to help people to de-stress, provide some entertainment and let more people know of the martial art,” he told reporters.

The show, which started on 11 June, will air its last episode today (5 July), when contest winners will be announced.

It features songs, dances, and stand-up comedy, and even local artistes and celebrities from India.

Mr Ganesan has been in Singapore for seven years and teaches at Hankuk Taekwondo School.

His video on TikTok has been viewed over 5,000 times and garnered over 80 likes.

Cooking Since He Was 7

Another migrant worker who’s particularly adept in the kitchen is also vying for the top spot in the competition.

According to CNA, Maruthaiyan Kumaravelu developed an interest in cooking at the age of 7, after helping his mother out in the kitchen as she asked him to grab different spices for the dishes she was cooking.

He stopped cooking when he went to college, but had his passion reinvigorated after he moved to Singapore, as he lived with roommates who like to cook as well.

All his friends love his food and often ask him to cook his briyani, crab, or chicken curry, especially on special occasions like Deepavali.

So, when he was invited to be a part of the talent show competition, Mr Kumaravelu grabbed the opportunity with one hand, and some spices with the other.

For the competition, the 35-year-old is cooking fried needlefish, a dish he grew up eating.

His submission was an instructional recipe video for the dish, which is cooked with a thick paste made of dried chilli, pepper, garlic, cumin seeds, and ginger.

“I thought I would choose this so other people can also learn and try it out,” he said.

Another contestant, Mr Vignesh Sathish, submitted a video of himself doing the karakattam, an ancient folk dance of Tamil Nadu performed in praise of the rain goddess Mariamman.

“There are many modern dance forms nowadays, but I wanted to show something that is more traditional, which I think people still like and admire,” he said.

$1,000 Prize for Winner

According to ST, the winner of the competition will receive a cash prize of S$1,000.

The runner up will get S$500, and S$300 will be handed out for the third prize.

There is also S$700 worth of consolation prizes for other contestants.

So, who do you have your money on?

Featured Image: Youtube