AMARASURIYA, Mahindanath Shanthideva
Communities of Singapore (Part 2),
Accession Number 000515
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 9
Total Reels
- Pitt Kuan Wah
Interviewer
- 04:03:46
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 9
Metadata
- 12 Dec 1984
Recording Date
- 00:28:13
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Family background. Ancestors hailed from Galle, southern coastal town in Ceylon. Adventurous people. Great grandfather first came to Singapore to start gem trade - house to house sale. Then rented part of shop in High Street. Further expansion; opened up in Ipoh and Penang later. Reasons for Singhalese migration. Why adopted Portuguese name B P de Silva. Why his parents brought family to Singapore in 1964.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 9
Metadata
- 12 Dec 1984
Recording Date
- 00:28:42
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Father's role in company. Expansion of business. Employed professional managers. Expanded to other types of business besides jewelry retailing. Expansion in Sri Lanka as well. Opened new companies to put his sons in charge. Engaged outside expertise for business which they were not familiar with. All companies still function as family business.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 9
Metadata
- 12 Dec 1984
Recording Date
- 00:30:21
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Low staff turnover. Staff employed on recommendation only; no open recruitment. Reasons for expansion of business within this region only. Why girls in family not joining family business. He joined in 1977. Changes he made. His management style. Before his time, no partnership or joint venture business. His view that Ceylonese jeweller would be finished in near future.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 9
Metadata
- 17 Jan 1985
Recording Date
- 00:26:51
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
His company policy on rewarding good workers. Implemented before National Wage Council policy. How Skill Development Fund affected his company. Took advantage of mechanisation and research grants to upgrade system. His belief in buying properties to house his businesses instead of renting premises.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 9
Metadata
- 1 Mar 1985
Recording Date
- 00:26:58
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Origin of Sinhalese. Difference between Singhalese as a race and Singhalese as nationality. His great-grandfather one of the pioneers in Singapore. Reasons for Singhalese to want to migrate. Common trait of Singhalese. Why business class involved only in gem trade. Typical occupation of Singhalese. Community scattered even in pre-war days. Business clans built Buddhist Temple. No clubs or schools for their own community.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 9
Metadata
- 1 Mar 1985
Recording Date
- 00:28:25
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Singhalese culture different from Indian. Even has own ethnic style in building houses. Singhalese festivals - Vesak Day and New Year. Singhalese custom of celebrating New Year and Vesak Day. In Ceylon, habit of reunion on New Year is traditional. Naming of child custom. Wedding ceremony. Dowry now considered as presents given to daughter. Singhalese preference for male children. Upbringing of children.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 9
Metadata
- 12 Mar 1985
Recording Date
- 00:28:56
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Funeral customs. Funeral procession more like Chinese. For richer folks cremation on funeral pyre. Final rites. Funeral colour - white. Religious ceremony on death anniversary. Distribution of properties. House-warming custom. Minor customs relating to bringing presents when visiting and to birthdays. Singhalese superstitions relating to going out. Not good omen to meet Buddhist priest or beggar. No haircut on Tuesday.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 9
Metadata
- 12 Mar 1985
Recording Date
- 00:29:15
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Other superstitions such as not cutting fingernails on certain days and not dropping fingernails on floor. Singhalese quite concern on who is first person you meet on English New Year. Taboo against marriages of first cousins on same bloodline. How Singhalese view intermarriage, divorce, birth control and abortion.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 9
Metadata
- 12 Mar 1985
Recording Date
- 00:16:05
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
His view on behavioural pattern of Singhalese. Identifiable traits in Singhalese race. Future of Singhalese in Singapore.
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