【新加坡小记者网讯】今晚，德义民众俱乐部礼堂举行了屠妖节庆祝会，人们围着圆桌落座，看节目，吃自助餐，还有幸运抽奖，本次活动由德义民众俱乐部印族活动执行委员会主办的，很多印度族家庭带着孩子们来到现场，约300人出席了晚会。现场也有几位华族和马来族同胞参与，场面温馨、热闹、有趣。
当主持人宣布今晚活动主宾华素博士（Dr.Vasoo）莅临的消息，全体起立欢迎他, 迎接他的人们把花环套在他的脖子上，簇拥着他走到舞台前，在中地面上有一个五颜六色的彩米图，上面竖起高高的烛台，贵宾们围着烛台，开始了点蜡烛祈祷仪式，让光明驱走黑暗，传承延续希望。
华素博士上台用四种语言做了简短的讲话，祝印族同胞屠妖节快乐，他高兴希望看到其他族裔来参与印族同胞的庆祝活动，他说印族在区内算是少数民族，希望大家能够帮助他们。
现场的节目非常有特色，主持人风趣，井井有条。节目有舞蹈，有唱歌，还有舞蛇。
舞蹈节目前几场的演员都是女子，当中多数是印度族，也有两位华族面孔的舞蹈演员在队伍中欢跳，她们以精致的眼神、曼妙的舞姿和手势动作，演绎着屠妖节的传说，让人们在欣赏艺术的同时感受到文化传承的力量。
唱歌的时候，小孩子们也跑到台上尽情地舞蹈，那场面，逗趣极了，看得出印族的孩童是活跃，乐于展现自我，不怯场。
主办方还特别请来了号称新加坡最后一名驯蛇人尤索夫·乌拉尔（Yusof Ular）来现场表演，他带来了三条蛇，有无毒的小蛇，中等大的有毒眼镜蛇，还有白色大蟒蛇。他会吹笛唤醒那些睡觉的蛇。
最搞笑的是主持人随意邀请了三队夫妻上台跳舞，她先让太太跳一段舞，然后让她们的丈夫模仿自己的妻子的侗族来跳，然后再让丈夫站在舞台中间条一会儿，由他们的妻子模仿丈夫的动作跳舞，还给他们评奖。丈夫模仿妻子的舞蹈很不容易，他们的动作怎么也不像妻子，有一位先生不擅长跳舞，怎么也学不会妻子的手势，看到他们笨拙的模仿，台上台下都哈哈哈大笑。
幸运抽奖中奖的大多是大人，奖品有充电器，有饭锅等；主持人也带领孩子们玩有奖唱歌的游戏，唱什么歌呢？当然只能唱各种跟屠妖节有关的的歌，唱对唱好的孩子，就能得到一个奖励，那奖励是一个大大的蜡烛，样子像一个饭碗也像半个椰子壳，用纱网包得美美的，孩子们拿在手里，不由得喜笑颜开。
The Teck Ghee Community Club hall was filled with festive joy tonight as about 300 residents gathered to celebrate Deepavali, the Festival of Lights. Organised by the Teck Ghee Indian Activity Executive Committee (IAEC), the event featured cultural performances, a buffet dinner, and lucky draws that created a warm and lively atmosphere.
When the emcee announced the arrival of the Guest of Honour, Dr S. Vasoo, the audience rose to their feet in welcome. Garlands were placed around his neck as he was escorted to the stage. In the centre of the hall lay a colourful kolam design made of dyed rice, with a tall candelabra standing proudly at its heart. Surrounded by community leaders, Dr Vasoo lit the ceremonial lamps — symbolising the triumph of light over darkness and the continuity of hope.
In his brief speech delivered in four languages, Dr Vasoo wished the Indian community a happy Deepavali and expressed his delight at seeing Singaporeans of different races joining in the celebration. He noted that the Indian community forms a minority in the constituency and encouraged everyone to continue supporting and including one another.
The evening’s programme was rich and entertaining. The emcee kept the crowd engaged with humour and warmth as performances unfolded — traditional dances, songs, and even a rare snake-charming act. The dance numbers were particularly captivating, with female performers — mostly Indian, along with two Chinese dancers — gracefully depicting stories from Deepavali through expressive gestures and rhythmic movements.
As singers took the stage, children joyfully joined in, dancing freely to the music. Their liveliness and confidence brought smiles and laughter from the audience.
A special highlight of the evening was a performance by Yusof Ular, known as Singapore’s last snake charmer. He brought three snakes — a small harmless one, a medium-sized cobra, and a large white python — demonstrating his traditional craft to an astonished audience. He skillfully played his slute, awaking the sleeping snakes.
Adding to the fun, the emcee invited three couples on stage for a light-hearted dance competition. Each wife danced first, followed by her husband’s attempt to imitate her moves — often to hilarious results. The laughter grew louder when it was the wives’ turn to mimic their husbands’ gestures. Prizes were given to the most entertaining pair.
The lucky draw brought cheers from adults who won items such as rice cookers and phone chargers, while children took part in a singing contest featuring Deepavali-themed songs. Young participants who sang well received special candle-shaped gifts wrapped in colourful mesh, resembling half coconut shells. Holding their prizes, the children beamed with joy — ending the evening on a warm and festive note.
