Mr S. Rajaratnam's ideas on multiculturalism have helped to define out culture. It has helped to ensure that every community in Singapore can contribute to the making of our culture, and nobody is excluded. I believe that it is largely because of our multicultural policies that we have today a very rich and distinct culture seen in our visual arts, drama and dance forms, and of course, our everyday life.

I remember many years ago, starting when we were in Malaysia, Mr Rajaratnam, then the Minister for Culture and other PAP Ministers, including the Prime Minister, sitting on the Padang to watch multi-cultural shows on the steps of City Hall. I believe these shows encouraged us to share our dance and other art forms with other communities and in turn learn to appreciate the art forms of other communities. I believe our policies on multiculturalism ensured that all our cultures and their art forms are equal, that the art forms of the smaller communities are not subordinated to those of the larger communities.

It is policies like this that have enabled me to develop the dance as an art form I love best over the past forty years, and provided me the opportunities to showcase my work in not only Singapore, but also the region. I also appreciate the opportunities to work with other groups and communities to help create a more vibrant and creative culture scene in Singapore. And I am delighted that my efforts have been appreciated and reorganized. In 1987 I received the Cultural Medallion for artistic excellence and my contribution to the development of the dance form.

Mdm Som Said was one of the founders and
the artistic director of Sri Warism Som Said
Performing Arts. She sits in various committees
in the National Arts Council

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