Bunga Bidadari

Bunga Bidadari

Bidadari Park, Singapore, 2025

The name “Bidadari” means “angel” in Malay. This was once the name of a royal estate, gifted and named by Temenggong Abu Bakar in the 19th century for his wife, Zubaidah, whose beauty reminded him of the mythical beings. Over time, the land became a cemetery, and today, it has transformed again into a park that honours its history while creating space for life to return.

At the heart of this is Kumari Nahappan’s sculpture of the Tiger Orchid (Grammatophyllum speciosum)—a rare and powerful bloom that was once native to Singapore’s forests. Known as the largest orchid species in the world, it can take years to flower and requires very specific conditions to thrive: warmth, humidity, patience. It doesn’t bloom often, but when it does, it’s unforgettable.

Bunga Bidadari captures this spirit. It’s not just a beautiful form. It’s about resilience and timing. About life that takes its time, but comes back stronger. In a place that has seen so many changes, from royal gardens to resting grounds to renewal, this sculpture stands as a marker of quiet strength, holding space for things that grow slowly, and deeply.