SOMASUNDRAM, S C
Pioneers of Singapore,
Accession Number 000162
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 11
Total Reels
- Lim How Seng
Interviewer
- 05:20:40
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 11
Metadata
- 15 Mar 1982
Recording Date
- 00:28:32
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Personal and family background. Reason for educated villagers to migrate. Success of overseas migrants. Religion in village. Caste system. Compulsory education in village. Schools founded by American missionaries. Spent five years in vernacular education before switching to English school. Emphasis of religion in Tamil education.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 11
Metadata
- 15 Mar 1982
Recording Date
- 00:27:53
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
His father a farmer by profession but doing business in leisure time. Father's house in village. Had to help in farm. Transportation in village. His eldest brother went to Malaya with an uncle; working in Malayan Railway. Brother sent for him. His reason for joining brother. His journey to Singapore via Colombo. Life on board ship.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 11
Metadata
- 15 Mar 1982
Recording Date
- 00:30:37
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Arrival in Singapore. Stayed overnight with an uncle. His first impression of Singapore. Went to Johore Bahru to stay with brother. Admitted to English school. School life. Unemployed after completing Senior Cambridge in 1932. Came to Singapore to look for job; staying with cousins in Balestier Road. Teaching in private school in Potong Pasir. School later taken over by Indian Association. Living conditions in Balestier Road in 1935.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 11
Metadata
- 22 Mar 1982
Recording Date
- 00:30:03
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Posted to another school to get better income. Reason for Indian Association taking over private Indian schools. No more funds to pay teachers in 1939. Service terminated. Started wholesale business with a friend. Due to misunderstanding 1 1/2 years later, split partnership. Their method of business operation. With his brother's financial backing, started business on his own. Reasons for splitting partnership.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 11
Metadata
- 22 Mar 1982
Recording Date
- 00:30:08
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Started his own business in new shop in Bencoolen Street. His impression of Ceylon Tamils as businessmen. His way of doing business after the split. Employed two staff. Effect of Japanese war on his business. Preparation for war. Staying with relatives at night but remaining in shop during daytime.His first encounter with Japanese. Big market going on in Hokkien Street area for one or two weeks after Japanese Occupation.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 11
Metadata
- 22 Mar 1982
Recording Date
- 00:29:42
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Reasons for Chinese people taking refuge in Indian houses. Rented a North Bridge Road shop for sub-letting to four tenants. Living conditions. Took over whole shop later to start wholesale business with help from nephew. Employed Tamil Muslim staff. Reorganisation of business after Japanese surrender. Business expanding from 1948-1957 to importing, retailing and wholesale. Decline in business after 1957.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 11
Metadata
- 22 Mar 1982
Recording Date
- 00:26:10
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Further elaboration on decline in business. Loss of government contract in shoes and hospital linen. Closing down tailoring department. Loss of Indonesian market due to Indonesian Confrontation. His reasons for success. His membership in clubs and associations and public service. Was Supervisor of Tamil Education Board from 1959-1963. Reasons for closing down of Tamil schools.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 11
Metadata
- 8 Apr 1982
Recording Date
- 00:30:03
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
His arranged marriage to a relative. His views on marriage between relatives. Factors for consideration in choosing a partner in marriage. Significance of breaking a coconut in wedding ceremonies. Hindu wedding ceremony. Importance of dowry. His religious belief.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 11
Metadata
- 8 Apr 1982
Recording Date
- 00:29:59
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Praying in temples and at home. Temples he patronised. Praying as a family at home. His children's religious education. His views on religion as a factor for consideration in choosing a son-in-law. Caste as another factor. Effects of marrying outside one's caste or religion. His reasons for becoming a Singapore citizen.
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Reel/Disc 10 of 11
Metadata
- 8 Apr 1982
Recording Date
- 00:29:37
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
His involvement in campaigning for Dr Nathan in 1948 Municipal Council Election. His views on importance of politics and his reasons for not participating actively. Activities in Ceylon Tamil Association. Relationship between Ceylon Tamil and Singhalese. Formation of Ceylon Association to promote closer relationship. Singhalese unhappy over appointment of a Tamil as Ceylon High Commissioner in Singapore/Malaya in 1949.
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