Singapore
Ananda Bhavan, Singapore’s oldest Indian vegetarian restaurant, recently celebrated its centennial anniversary with a vibrant event attended by notable figures, including Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, First Lady Jane Ittogi, and Alvin Tan, Minister of State for Trade & Industry and Culture, Community & Youth. The celebration, held in Little India, marked a significant milestone for the family-run establishment, renowned for its rich culinary heritage.
A Century of Culinary Excellence
Since its founding in 1924, Ananda Bhavan has been a staple of Indian vegetarian cuisine in Singapore. Alvin Tan shared images of the July 20 dinner celebration on Instagram, highlighting the restaurant’s remarkable journey. “100 years of Indian vegetarian food – that is what Ananda Bhavan has served since 1924. Along with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, we celebrated their 100th anniversary of the oldest Indian restaurant in Singapore and had the honour of enjoying their dishes from their new centenary menu for dinner,” Tan wrote.
Prominent attendees included R Rajaram, Registrar of the National University of Singapore and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Indian Heritage Centre, who joined the festivities to honour Ananda Bhavan’s legacy.
Celebrating Tradition with a Modern Twist
To commemorate the occasion, Ananda Bhavan introduced a new centenary menu featuring popular dishes from its rich history. The celebration also marked Ananda Bhavan’s entry into the Singapore Book of Records as the oldest Indian vegetarian restaurant in the country. Tan noted, “The legacy of this family-run restaurant spans a century, and their food has fed generations.”
Ananda Bhavan was founded by Mr. Kulanthaivelu Muthusamy Kaunder and his brothers, who initially provided affordable meals for laborers. The business later passed to Mr. Kulanthaivelu’s wife and their sons, the late Mr. M. K. Ramachandra and Mr. K. Nadarajan, who modernized the kitchen and expanded the restaurant to multiple locations.
Today, the restaurant is run by Mr. Viren Ettikan, Mr. K. Nadarajan’s son, alongside his aunt Madam Parameshvari Kulanthaivelu and her sister Ms. Rajeswari. The menu has evolved to include North Indian food and fusion cuisine, reflecting a blend of traditional and contemporary flavors.
Resilience and Innovation
Minister Alvin Tan praised Ananda Bhavan for maintaining its unique selling proposition while adapting to the changing business landscape. “They have remained resilient yet agile through the years, quick to adopt new technology and innovation while remaining rooted in its tradition of serving quality vegetarian food to its customers,” he said.
Recognizing the restaurant’s contribution to Singapore’s diverse culture, Tan wrote, “Establishments like Ananda Bhavan are gems which represent decades of history and rich tradition – and we will work to deepen appreciation of the heritage they honour.”
Honoring Heritage
Ananda Bhavan’s historical significance is celebrated through the National Heritage Board’s Street Corner Heritage Galleries Scheme. The restaurant collaborates with the board to showcase its history through galleries displaying historical documents, photographs, and artifacts, sharing its story with visitors.
In conclusion, Minister Tan expressed gratitude to Ananda Bhavan: “Thank you Ananda Bhavan for hosting us, and for plating up 100 years of tradition.” As the restaurant embarks on its next century, it continues to serve as a testament to the enduring appeal and rich heritage of Indian vegetarian cuisine in Singapore.
