A video featuring a woman discussing her life as a Chinese Hindu in Singapore has recently gone viral. The video, shared by the digital creator known as growingupguptas on Instagram, showcases her and her grandmother, Mdm Tan, reflecting on their unique experiences and interactions with their community.
Watch the viral video
Personal Insights from Estella and Mdm Tan
In the video, Estella and Mdm Tan talk about their introduction to Hinduism and their practices, including maintaining a “home temple.” Mdm Tan expresses contentment with their neighbors, noting their acceptance and tolerance. She describes how they have built strong friendships within the local Hindu community and enjoy celebrating festivals together.
Estella addresses common misconceptions about race and religion, revealing that people often question her identity as a Chinese Hindu. She recounts how she frequently hears, “Are you sure?” when she mentions her faith.
Public Reaction and Engagement
The video has gained significant attention, amassing over 280,000 views, with an increasing number of likes and comments. Reactions from Instagram users include:
One user shared, “I have experienced Chinese Hindus in Singapore blessing their shop in the morning. Exactly the same Tamil prayers to the Hindu Gods.”
Another commented, “I am of a Singaporean Hindu family too.”
A third remarked, “Oh wow, that is so sweet.”
A fourth added, “I watched this originally when a specific YouTube channel published it. I didn’t even know Chinese Hindus were a natural demographic, but it makes sense.”
Many users have simply responded with “beautiful” to express their appreciation for the video.
Historical Context
According to the Times of India, Hinduism’s early influence in China can be traced to the spread of Buddhism, with some Hindu practices like Yoga and meditation being adopted by parts of Chinese society. Additionally, Hindu temples and symbolic motifs found in Southeast China reflect the presence of Tamil merchant guilds, such as the Manugramam and Ayyavole, in the region.
