Annalakshmi

About Us
The Temple of Fine Arts is a culturally and service oriented organization which has centers in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Singapore, Chennai, Coimbatore and Perth. Today, we are a well known organization in our respective countries, recognized and respected as an institution whose primary motive is that of service.

Our story, is simply the story of one man who touched the hearts and lives of many. One man whose unconditional love for mankind inspired us to love, serve and give.

In 1971, a young Hindu monk by the name of Swami Shantanand arrived for the first time in Malaysia with a prayer to his master Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh: "Dear Master, I do not know why you have brought me here, but let me be worthy of your love and grace".


In Kuala Lumpur, he was hosted by a family and through them met a number of families. His gatherings were filled with songs in praise of God and his talks illuminated almost every conceivable subject pertinent to life and living but most of all, it was the way he spoke God's love that filled the hearts of those who heard him.

His approach was all embracing and his ideology simple: "Follow any path, religion or doctrine, but believe in it sincerely, because the sincerity of your belief will illuminate and guide you to the ultimate common goal - God"

He taught the universal message found in all religions: Love for GOD and service to mankind.

Soon by word of mouth, his following spread from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, Johor Bahru, Singapore and gradually to Perth and Melbourne in Australia. As some time passed by, a core of some one hundred families became his regular followers in each centre and over a period of ten years, these followers were affectionately referred to as the Shiva Family.

The Shiva family comprised many youngsters and Swamiji felt the urge to begin a cultural centre so that the children in the group would learn dance and music and thereby preserve something of their rich cultural heritage.


where vegetarian dining is a cultural experience

In 1981, with the help of this devotees, Master Shivdas and wife Vatsala, Master Gopal Shetty and wife Radha, who were all dance teachers, Swamiji inspired the beginnings of the Temple of Fine Arts. Music, art and dance, he taught, have their origins in the Divine, hence, the word "Temple".

Here the divine is worshipped through the fine arts and art is taught just for the love of it. Today, the Temple of Fine Arts teaches different classical and folk dances and music of South as well as North Indian. It has become a government recognized non-profit institution in all its centers.


After three years, Swamiji mooted the idea of starting a restaurant but with a different concept, "to be run by volunteers", that serves authentic Indian vegetarian cuisine as a means of sustaining the activities of Temple of Fine Arts. And He also reckoned, it would serve as great oppurtunity for his devotees to serve, love and purify.

As many of the Shiva family members were talented cooks, Annalakshmi, the culinary centre of the Temple of Fine Arts, took birth. Here, the food would be prepared, cooked and served with love.


Once a year, it conducts "Festival of Arts" - a week long offering of dance, drama and music, choreographed, directed and produced entirely by the teachers, students and other members of the institution. These presentations & stage productions are all given as a love offering to the public, free of charge.

The adage "athithi devo bhava" meaning "the guest is God" was the motivating factor. This concept a tribute to the Goddess of Plenty, whose name is Annalakshmi, and the ideals, the warmth and the service very soon captured the taste buds and imagination of diners and connoisseurs alike.

Today, Annalakshmi brings Indian vegetarian cuisine to more and more people in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Coimbatore, Perth and Madras. And it does this within an ambience of great beauty. Annalakshmi is lavishly decorated with paintings, statues, and pillars from India and has subtly given unique expression to the pleasures of art and cuisine.

This is an unofficial Page by fans and for fans of Annalakshmi Singapore, enjoy!