RAMESWARAM, Nagalingam
Communities of Singapore (Part 2),
Accession Number 000340
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 9
Total Reels
- Daniel Chew (Dr)
Interviewer
- 04:09:46
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
All rights to the recordings and transcripts on this website, including the rights to copy, publish, broadcast and perform, are reserved. Written permission is required for any use. If you have any queries, please contact nas@nlb.gov.sg
Reel/Disc 1 of 9
Metadata
- 30 Sep 1983
Recording Date
- 00:27:51
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Personal background. Father came to Malaya in 19th century; early life. Mother brought family back to Jaffna after father's death. Life in Vaddukodai village. Family house. Both mother and grandfather disciplined children. Mother lived on pension. Many pensioners in village. Family life. Religious practice at home. Deepavali celebration.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 9
Metadata
- 30 Sep 1983
Recording Date
- 00:28:04
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Religious education in school. Reason children were not allowed to attend funeral. Entertainment at wedding. Life in village. Games he played. Attended Tamil, then English primary schools. Uncle brought him to Kuala Lumpur. Travelled by train from Jaffna to Colombo; then by ship to Singapore; took train to Kuala Lumpur in 1929. Education at Methodist Boys' School.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 9
Metadata
- 30 Sep 1983
Recording Date
- 00:27:41
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Stayed with uncle's family. Passed Senior Cambridge exam in 1934. Difficulty in getting jobs. How he found job in Survey Department in Singapore. Nature of job. After probation, sent to Technical College as apprentice. What he learned. Underwent two years practical work after completing course. Salary received. His relationship with Ceylon Tamils in community.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 9
Metadata
- 19 Oct 1983
Recording Date
- 00:27:50
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Activities and festivals celebrated at Ceylon Tamils Association and temple. How festivals were celebrated in temple. Prominent pre-war Ceylon Tamils in Singapore. His experience during Japanese Occupation. Incident of his narrow escape from death. Came to Singapore in open truck; how allowed in. Later came again by train when train services started. What he saw when walking from railway station to his house at Katong.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 9
Metadata
- 19 Oct 1983
Recording Date
- 00:27:42
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
He and bachelor friends stayed in his house. Reported to work in Survey Department; working conditions. Given food rations. Circumstances leading to his marriage. Married in Kuala Lumpur. Wedding ceremony. Significance of breaking coconut. Brought wife to Singapore. Later resigned and lived in Kuala Lumpur. Worked for a butai, contracting for Japanese military. Learned Japanese. His surveying job in Endau for 3 months.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 9
Metadata
- 19 Oct 1983
Recording Date
- 00:27:51
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Working conditions in Endau. Nature of work. Life in Endau. Reason he left Endau. Unpleasant experience encountered. Encounter with communists wanting him to supply information on Japanese military just before end of war. How he received news on declining of Japanese power. Returned to Singapore after Japanese surrender. Effects of Japanese Occupation. Returned to Survey Department again. Salary then. Typical working day.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 9
Metadata
- 22 Nov 1983
Recording Date
- 00:27:45
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Nature of work as Technical Assistant. His leisure activities. Family of four children. Upbringing of children. Reasons for Ceylon Tamils enclave in Katong area. Festivals celebrated: Deepavali, Thai Pongal, Thaipusam. Prominent post-war Tamils in Singapore. Relationship between Ceylon Tamils and Sinhalese. How he was awarded scholarship to Australia to study surveying course. Malayanisation in public service.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 9
Metadata
- 22 Nov 1983
Recording Date
- 00:27:16
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Completed course in 1953 and returned to work. Promoted to Division I. His duties and responsibilities. Relationship with expatriates. Problems with local staff. Joined Senior Service Association. Appointed Deputy Chief Surveyor in 1959. His responsibilities then; daily routine. Appointed Chief Surveyor in 1963. Changes in Department since he first joined. Set up private practice after retirement in 1971.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 9
Metadata
- 22 Nov 1983
Recording Date
- 00:27:46
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
How he started private practice. Difference in running own practice and working with government. Reason he was actively involved in temple in Ceylon Road but not in other associations. His views on Singapore identity and future of Ceylon Tamil community.
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