NAIDU, Lakshmi (Mrs)
Communities of Singapore (Part 2),
Accession Number 000110
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 11
Total Reels
- Tan Beng Luan
Interviewer
- 04:55:20
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 11
Metadata
- 13 Oct 1981
Recording Date
- 00:27:25
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Her family background. Great-grandfather was deported by the Britsh administration in India to Singapore. Type of work he did. His means of living in India. Wife came later. Grandfather born and educated in Singapore. His job. Wealthy land owner; Somapah Village named after him. Grandfather a believer in education of children.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 11
Metadata
- 13 Oct 1981
Recording Date
- 00:27:51
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Her own education in Methodist Girls' School. What she learnt. Also studied Tamil after school. Not allowed to play till after evening prayer. Stopped schooling at 9 years to do housekeeping. Grandfather objected. His father's job. Disciplining of children by mother. Temples they worshipped at.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 11
Metadata
- 27 Nov 1981
Recording Date
- 00:27:54
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Her husband's family background. His career. First in car business; from 1925 in medicine business. Learnt about medicine in Calcutta. She looked after Singapore shop. Husband travelled to other shops in Malayan towns. Her daily routine. Her involvement in welfare work. Also taught sewing in Kamala Club. Neighbourhood of Serangoon Road in early 1900s.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 11
Metadata
- 27 Nov 1981
Recording Date
- 00:27:49
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Further description of Serangoon Road neighbourhood. Type of shop or business available. Hawkers did house to house selling; no need to go to market. Rearing of chickens at homes. What bullock carts were used for. Water supply and transportation. Where mutton was sold. Indian and Malay communities found along Serangoon Road. Chinese moved in later to do business, mostly in Beach Road area.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 11
Metadata
- 27 Nov 1981
Recording Date
- 00:27:37
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Causes for fighting in those days; weapons used. Reasons for Indian labourers living in Hasting Road to move out and let Chinese occupied place. Moved in great numbers after war. Occupations and businesses of Chinese in Beach Road. Race Course Road and Farrer Park neighbourhood. Chinese kampung between Balestier and Rangoon Road. Occupations of kampung folks. Description of kampung house. Shops along Rangoon Road. Indian temples. Caste system.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 11
Metadata
- 17 Dec 1981
Recording Date
- 00:27:47
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Indians of a particular surname worshipped a particular God in a particular temple in olden days. What was meant by Naidu temple. No difference in celebrating festivals between present and olden days except in cessation of procession of Gods in chariots pulled by bulls. Why Johore Indians no longer come to Singapore for temple celebrations.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 11
Metadata
- 17 Dec 1981
Recording Date
- 00:27:51
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Further elaboration on Chinese kampung and occupations of inhabitants. Even small children sent out to work. Salary received. Type of work they did. Labour class Indian wives' work as rempah grinder. Sub-letting kampung house to poor people. Her involvement in social work during pre-war and Japanese Occupation period. Founded Kamala Club with Mrs Handy.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 11
Metadata
- 24 Feb 1982
Recording Date
- 00:28:00
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Reasons for forming Kamala Club. What was taught to Indian ladies at Club. Also organised outings. Boycotting of Japanese goods during pre-war times. Looting of shops in Serangoon Road after British surrender. Business re-started later. Rationing and queuing for food during Japanese Occupation. Her medicine shop remained open.
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Reel/Disc 10 of 11
Metadata
- 24 Feb 1982
Recording Date
- 00:27:47
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
How and why her two sons were injured by Japanese. Neighbourhood of Serangoon Road before and after the war. Residents rearing cows and chickens. Various ethnic groups living in neighbourhood.
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