2024 Recipients

Mohamed Yaziz Bin Mohamed Hassan

Making and Repair of Malay Drums; and Malay Music Traditions

Mohamed Yaziz Bin Mohamed Hassan Profile Image Image Credit: National Heritage Board

Mr Mohamed Yaziz Bin Mohamed Hassan has dedicated over three decades to the practice of traditional Malay drums. As the co-founder of the NADI Singapura ensemble, he mentors students in crafting and repairing traditional Malay drums, and has led the ensemble to direct numerous large-scale productions, such as Singa Drum Gaia Fiesta. He has also organised workshops and training sessions for schools, Institutes of Higher Learning, and the public on the maintenance of traditional Malay drums. Beyond these initiatives, he actively provides guidance to current and aspiring educators in traditional Malay music through NADI Singapura’s KIBAR programme.

Thomis Kwan

Craft and Practices related to the Peranakan Kebaya

Thomis Kwan Profile Image Image Credit: National Heritage Board

Mr Thomis Kwan is a practitioner in Peranakan-style jewellery with over three decades of expertise. The jewellery pieces crafted by Mr Kwan, such as the kerongsang (brooch) are often worn with the Peranakan kebaya. As the second-generation owner of Foundation Jewellers, he mentors his team of designers and craft practitioners in Peranakan jewellery-making. To support the continuity of his craft while maintaining cultural traditions, he has also adopted laser-cutting equipment to streamline production processes. Mr Kwan also actively promotes greater appreciation for the craft and significance of Peranakan-style jewellery through various conventions, interviews, and other platforms locally and internationally

Vijayalakshmi Mohan

Rangoli

Vijaya Mohan Profile Image Image Credit: National Heritage Board

Mrs Vijayalakshmi Mohan has been a dedicated practitioner of rangoli with over 60 years of experience in the craft. She has created more than 8,000 rangolis in Singapore, and over 20,000 rangolis globally. Notably, she is the current Guinness World Record holder for the largest rangoli pattern created. As the founder of Singa Rangoli, she actively experiments with new materials and contemporary designs for her rangoli works. Beyond her own practice, Mrs Vijaya Mohan promotes rangoli through art classes and workshops, and trains a team of practitioners who conduct regular workshops for schools and community groups. As a trained arts therapist, she works with welfare organisations to conduct rangoli programmes for underserved communities.

Pek Sin Choon

Making and Sharing of Tea

Pek Sin Choon Profile Image Image Credit: National Heritage Board

Pek Sin Choon stands as one of Singapore’s oldest Chinese tea merchants. Established in 1925, the company is led by fourth-generation owner and tea master Mr Kenry Peh. Since the 1990s, it has also served as a key tea supplier to the bak kut teh (pork rib soup) market. Today, the tea merchant conducts workshops, tea appreciation sessions, as well as regular heritage tours to educate visitors about the history and production processes of Nanyang tea. They also actively collaborate with arts and cultural institutions, charities, and private entities, to create bespoke tea blends. The company extends its expertise by mentoring the younger generation of tea enthusiasts and collaborating with schools and Institutes of Higher Learning to document skills in tea re-firing and blending.

Thye Moh Chan

Making of Chinese Pastries

Thye Moh Chan Profile Image Image Credit: National Heritage Board

Thye Moh Chan has been preserving the art of traditional Chinese pastry-making since it was founded in 1943. Following its acquisition by the BreadTalk Group in 2012, veteran chefs from the business continue to mentor younger chefs and codify traditional pastry-making techniques to preserve and pass down the food heritage practice. Beyond its craft, Thye Moh Chan actively promotes Teochew culture through participation in community events and cultural festivals, such as Thye Moh Chan Teochew Festival and River Hongbao, fostering a deeper appreciation for the significance of Chinese pastries in cultural practices.

Prize

Each recipient (individual or organisation) will be presented with a trophy, certificate of award, and S$5,000 cash prize.

Each recipient will also have the option to tap up to S$20,000 in project funding. This is subject to the approval of the proposed project. Please click here to find out more.

Award Categories & Eligibility

Individuals:

Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents, 18 years and above.
Must be a practitioner with minimum 10 years in vocation and a respected member of the practising community.

Note: Award will only be conferred upon individuals who are ICH practitioners - researchers, advocates, and/or managers of ICH organisations who do not themselves possess ICH knowledge and practice ICH skills are not eligible for the Award.

Groups/Organisations

Must be based in Singapore and headed by a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident
The group must have been practising for a minimum of 10 years.
The group must be a formally registered society or company.

Note: Awards will not be conferred posthumously.

Nomination Methods

Self-nomination and public nomination

Evaluation Criteria

Nominees are evaluated according to how they have demonstrated the following criteria:

Active Transmission of Skills and Knowledge

Displays outstanding and ongoing efforts to transmit skills and knowledge to the next generation
Regular engagement with the wider community to raise awareness of the practice

Mastery of Skills and Knowledge

Displays excellence in the application of both knowledge and skills

Long-Term Dedication to Transmitting Practice

Long-term commitment to sustaining knowledge and skills of the practice

Positive Impact and Influence

Serves as a positive example by encouraging cultural exchange
Displays efforts to serve the wider community through the practice

Individual and group/organisation applications will be evaluated as separate categories of applicants, although all applications will be assessed based on the above criteria.

Evaluation Panel

Nominations will be reviewed and assessed by an Evaluation Panel, which comprises ICH practitioners, academics, leaders of community organisations, and representatives from NHB.

For the 2022 Award cycle, the members of the Evaluation Panel are:

Chair	Ms Yeoh Chee Yan Chairman, National Heritage Board
Deputy Chair	Ms Chang Hwee Nee CE, National Heritage Board
Members	Dr Azhar Ibrahim Department of Malay Studies, NUS
	Mr Chan Kian Kuan Vice-President, Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations
	Ms Julia D’Silva Representative, Eurasian Association
	Dr Koh Keng We Department of History, NTU
	Mr Low Sze Wee CEO, Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre
	Dr Norshahril Saat Chairman, Malay Heritage Foundation
	Mr Rajakumar Chandra Chairman, Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association
	Ms Serene Lim Director (Sector Development – Performing Arts), NAC
	Mdm Som Said Artistic Director, Sri Warisan Som Said Performing Arts
	Ms Sunitha Janamohanan Lecturer, LASALLE College of the Arts
	Mr Victor Yue Exco Member, Singapore Heritage Society
	Prof Vineeta Sinha Department of Sociology and South Asian Studies, NUS

Contact

nhb_stewards@nhb.gov.sg OR 6982 1173.

About Us

Media Centre

A Career in Heritage & Culture

Preserve Our Stories, Treasures & Places

Engage Our Community

Enrich Our Heritage Landscape

Give to Heritage

2024 Recipients

About Us

Media Centre

A Career in Heritage & Culture

Preserve Our Stories, Treasures & Places

Engage Our Community

Enrich Our Heritage Landscape

Give to Heritage

2024 Recipients