You can't stop the music, nobody can stop the music.
Singapore Police said it is adding seven "music points" for Thaipusam 2016, scheduled in January, following talks with the Hindu Endowments Board.
The colorful foot procession that sees Hindu devotees carry kavadi piercings or other offerings to Muruguan, the Hindu God of War, draws about 10,000 devotees each year. It can stretch over 26 hours despite the walking route covering only four kilometers.
At last year's Thaipusam procession, three men who refused to stop playing drums were arrested for disorderly behaviour.
Restriction on playing of musical instruments along the procession route has been in place since 1973 because of a history of rivalry and fights between competing groups that disrupted the procession.
In 2012, the Police have worked with the HEB to allow for the transmission of music at designated points, while at the same time ensuring that the procession continues to be peaceful and orderly.
The additional music points for next year's festival includes four music transmission points and three “live” music instrument points. Other improvements include resting bays and a dedicated lane for women and children devotees along Clemenceau Avenue, said the police.
You can't stop the music, nobody can stop the music.
Singapore Police said it is adding seven "music points" for Thaipusam 2016, scheduled in January, following talks with the Hindu Endowments Board.
The colorful foot procession that sees Hindu devotees carry kavadi piercings or other offerings to Muruguan, the Hindu God of War, draws about 10,000 devotees each year. It can stretch over 26 hours despite the walking route covering only four kilometers.
At last year's Thaipusam procession, three men who refused to stop playing drums were arrested for disorderly behaviour.
Restriction on playing of musical instruments along the procession route has been in place since 1973 because of a history of rivalry and fights between competing groups that disrupted the procession.
In 2012, the Police have worked with the HEB to allow for the transmission of music at designated points, while at the same time ensuring that the procession continues to be peaceful and orderly.
The additional music points for next year's festival includes four music transmission points and three “live” music instrument points. Other improvements include resting bays and a dedicated lane for women and children devotees along Clemenceau Avenue, said the police.