Strong As Steel

Early 1950s

The literally street-stopping Indian festival of Thaipusam has a long and rich history in Singapore that goes back generations, as in the case of this devotee making his way to the Chettiar temple in Tank Road in the early 1950s. Derived from the words "thai" which means 10th and "pusam" which means "when the moon is at its brightest", the festival celebrates the full moon in the Tamil calendar's 10th month, usually falling between Jan 14 and Feb 14. Devotees start preparations a week before by fasting and praying. Some choose to perform acts of penance like the carrying of a kavadi, which is decorated with peacock feathers, margosa leaves and other materials. But that is not the most attention-grabbing part of the tradition.

Rather, it is the kavadi-bearers who have sharp skewers pierced through their tongues, cheeks or bodies to ask for forgiveness, keep a vow, or offer thanks to Lord Subramaniam.