COVID-19 may have changed the way we live our lives, but as photographer Kurt Ganapathy finds out, it’s not dampened our festive spirits as Singapore celebrates Deepavali.
“We believe that nothing can recreate the feelings of warmth when one holds a personalised handwritten card. We want to share that warmth with the seniors…”
Like almost everything this year, National Day was different. But in a way, as Kurt Ganapathy found, the celebrations brought more Singaporeans together than ever before.
“So my dad is Korean-Japanese and my mom is Paraguayan. They met in Paraguay when my dad moved there for business. I grew up with two different cultures in Paraguay. At times I’d be talking to my dad in Korean and my mom in Spanish in a single conversation…”
“What keeps me going is the love for our community. It makes me happy when I’m able to help a person find halal versions of foods they love. At the end of the day, eating is an activity that brings people together. It seems so simple but it means so much to us…”
In part two of our coverage from the campaign trail, Kurt Ganapathy headed to Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Batok, Hougang, Jurong, Pasir Ris, Punggol, Sembawang, Sengkang and Toa Payoh.
People of Legends | “I’ve never told anybody this, but ever since I won my first tournament at 14, I would put my gold medal around my mother’s neck. I’m not sure why I do this; maybe it gives me a sense of satisfaction knowing that I can make her proud.”
Kurt Ganapathy was on the ground in Bedok, Bukit Panjang, MacPherson, Tampines and Telok Blangah as election season kicked off in earnest.
“I decided to become a full-time travel blogger because there was nothing that fuelled me more than working on something I believed in. Rather than working to appease people and slogging hard for someone else’s dream, I wanted to make my own dreams a reality…”
As circuit breaker restrictions were eased during the first days of phase two, Kurt Ganapathy trekked around Singapore to record life during a new normal.
Humans of Habitat | “Mentoring a team of people isn’t always just about looking at the forest or big picture. It often means diving deep into looking after each of these trees and spending time with them. Only then can you have a mere glimpse into the best ways to let them bear fruit.”
In celebration of Singapore’s resilient spirit, Arman Shah highlights home businesses that popped up during this challenging COVID-19 pandemic.
Humans of Habitat Singapore | “I was very conflicted at first because I didn’t want to be living proof that an arts student doesn’t make a lot of money, but my own experiences affirmed that I’d rather be living a life with purpose than trying to chase money…”
Running out of creative ideas to keep yourself entertained at home? Manisha Dhalani compiles some pretty interesting ideas for you to do while you stay safe this COVID-19 season.
People of Legends | “When I was in prison, my counsellor told me that since I like to fight so much, why not fight in the ring instead? He told me I was smart but I was letting my friends control me. I can think for myself; don’t be their puppet. I took his advice to heart.”
In the days before COVID-19 circuit breaker measures kicked in, Kurt Ganapathy travelled across Singapore to capture an unprecedented moment in the country’s history.
Humans of Habitat Singapore | “If I have any advice for someone who wants to work at an NGO, it’s to ask yourself if it is really your calling to do something good for others.”
Half a decade on from the passing of Lee Kuan Yew, resident photographer Kurt Ganapathy looks back at what life in Singapore was like on March 23, 2015.
Humans of Habitat Singapore | “I guess I’m still a work in progress. Maybe one day I would be more at peace and wander around without the artificial arm and not care about anyone staring. Perhaps one day I can fully embrace the person whom God made me instead of hiding it from the world.”
Kurt Ganapathy heads out to the streets of Singapore with a camera in hand to capture life as we know it during this COVID-19 season.