KARUPPIAH, Narayana
Japanese Occupation of Singapore,
Accession Number 000050
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 7
Total Reels
- Tan Beng Luan
Interviewer
- 02:57:32
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 7
Metadata
- 25 Jun 1984
Recording Date
- 00:27:36
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:14) Family background and his education.
(0:04:22) Attended a speech by Subhas Chandra Bose at the Padang and it inspired him to join the Indian National Army (INA).
(0:08:00) How he and his father were caught in the first bombing of Singapore.
(0:11:04) His impressions of the Indian Independence League (IIL) in Singapore.
(0:13:14) He lost family and friends in heavy bombing before the British surrendered.
(0:16:52) First impressions of the Japanese, and life during the Japanese Occupation.
(0:18:22) His impressions of Bose.
(0:20:14) He studied Japanese at Queen Street School; and described the school and classes.
(0:27:15) Why he learned Japanese.
Family background. Came to Singapore at age of nine. His education. Attended meeting of Indians at Padang. Subhas Chandra Bose gave speech; inspired by him to join Indian National Army (INA). How he and his father were caught in bombing raid. He studied Japanese in Hougang; later transferred to Queen Street School. Comparing language standard and teachers' qualification between these two schools.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 7
Metadata
- 25 Jun 1984
Recording Date
- 00:27:44
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:03:12) Recalled Subhas Chandra Bose’s rally at the Padang.
(0:08:27) Atmosphere at the rally, and the impact it had.
(0:12:53) Compared the atmosphere of Bose’s rally with Jawaharlal Nehru’s rally in Singapore in 1937.
(0:14:19) Bose formed the Azad Hind (Free India) government on 21 October 1943; and he joined the instructors' course there.
(0:22:21) Was transferred to the interpreter's class before he completed training.
(0:26:56) He stayed at Ramakrishna Mission before he left for Japan.
Because of his knowledge of Japanese, special treatment was given to him in Hospital. Chandra Bose rally at Padang. Indians' reaction to his speech. Atmosphere at Rally. Azahin government formed. Inspired to join instructors course in Azad School. Had to undergo an examination before selection due to overwhelming response. Joined course without father's consent. Transferred to interpreter's class before completing his training. Uniform and food supplied. Also given pocket expenses.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 7
Metadata
- 25 Jun 1984
Recording Date
- 00:27:50
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:48) A friend bought him a meal when he was starving.
(0:04:48) Interviewed by Subhas Chandra Bose, who convinced him to go to Japan.
(0:09:13) Described the military training he underwent at Azad School.
(0:12:48) Forty-five persons from Southeast Asia were selected to go to Japan.
(0:19:30) Described life in camp.
(0:21:24) How Bose and the Japanese reacted to a bombing raid by American planes.
(0:25:18) They met Bose at the Tokyo Imperial Hotel, where they asked him about the Indian National Army (INA).
Selected for further military training in Japan. Interviewed by Chandra Bose. 45 selected. Preparations for departure. Left Singapore in a convoy of ships. Conditions in camp. Bose's visit to camp. How Bose and the Indians reacted to bombing raid by US planes during his visit to camp. Bose gave them a party and a private discussion on Indian National Army.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 7
Metadata
- 29 Jun 1984
Recording Date
- 00:27:47
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:32) Lord Louis Mountbatten issued an order to send them to India and release them.
(0:04:18) Upon arrival in India, they were sent to a concentration camp that held many Indian National Army (INA) prisoners.
(0:05:00) Why they escaped from the camp and sought refuge at the Governor-General of India, Rajagopalachari’s residence.
(0:12:16) The Governor demanded their unconditional release later on.
(0:14:58) Only he and two others remained in Madras.
(0:23:11) Described the return to his village to see his family.
(0:24:34) The INA in Calcutta arranged for him to study at Jhodpur Engineering College.
(0:26:01) Returned to Singapore in 1950.
Also passed through Singapore. Landed in Madras; put in concentration camp. How they were released unconditionally later. Only he and two others remained in Madras. Stayed with V T Sambathan, then studying in Annamalai University. Wrote to his mother; visited her in village later. Indian National Army ( INA) League in Calcutta arranged for him to study in Jhodpur Engineering College. Returned to Singapore in 1950.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 7
Metadata
- 29 Jun 1984
Recording Date
- 00:10:58
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:18) His impressions of the British.
(0:04:09) Subhas Chandra Bose's speech about India's independence impressed and inspired him.
(0:07:52) His impression of what Bose could have done for India had he not died.
(0:08:23) He also respected Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
His impression of the British. Bose's speech about India's independence impressed and inspired him.
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