TRIVEDI, Manshanker
Communities of Singapore (Part 2),
Accession Number 000519
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 14
Total Reels
- Pitt Kuan Wah
Interviewer
- 06:33:06
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 14
Metadata
- 4 Jan 1985
Recording Date
- 00:26:54
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Personal background. Type of food villagers ate. Father a religious singer in village. His schooling in village school. Father looked after family on wife's death. Arranged child marriage for two elder daughters. Custom of burning widow after death of husband. Custom of dowry in those days. Father moved family to Sourab near Bombay. Brother started working. He continued his education.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 14
Metadata
- 4 Jan 1985
Recording Date
- 00:23:41
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
His education expenses paid by patron, a sweet shop owner. Shop patronised by Parsi community. How he helped in conversing English with Parsi customers. Definition of Parsi. Family expenses looked after by brother-in-law and father's boss. Caste system in his childhood days.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 14
Metadata
- 8 Jan 1985
Recording Date
- 00:29:21
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Completed matriculation. Could not pass all subjects; lost chance of going to London for further studies. Significance of his name, 'man' and 'shanker'. Naming of child custom. His relationship with other siblings in family. Looked after by third sister and even stayed with her after her marriage.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 14
Metadata
- 8 Jan 1985
Recording Date
- 00:28:49
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Father's character. Only Brahmin family in village - religious leader. Relationship with other villagers. How his father disciplined him. Physical punishment. Influenced by father's character. His house in village. Custom for ladies not to show face to male elders of family. Fuel used for cooking. Type of food they ate.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 14
Metadata
- 10 Jan 1985
Recording Date
- 00:26:35
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Table manners in Brahmin family. Different etiquette from farmers and other castes. Seating arrangement. In those days used copper pots and pans and metal cups. In community eating, males and female seated separately. Serving etiquette. Cannot touch dish being served; must ask to be served. Eat with hands.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 14
Metadata
- 10 Jan 1985
Recording Date
- 00:25:42
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
What they eat after dinner to keep mouth fresh. His daily domestic routine. Number of times a Brahmin must pray. Type of clothings worn when praying. Now rules not followed. Why such rules were followed. How females dressed. Cultural values. Celebrations at home.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 14
Metadata
- 14 Jan 1985
Recording Date
- 00:27:01
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Circumstances leading to his coming to Singapore after Japanese Occupation. His father's expectation of him. Preparations for journey. Came by ship via Calcutta, Rangoon and Penang. Trip paid by cousin. Seasick throughout journey. Food on board not prepared to Brahmin religious standards.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 14
Metadata
- 25 Jan 1985
Recording Date
- 00:27:20
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Arrival in 1950. Immigration procedure. Encountered communication problem; language barrier. Started work straightaway. Nature of his duties. Products imported and exported by company. Few females working in those days. His salary. Food, transport, laundry provided by company. Salary kept in company.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 14
Metadata
- 25 Jan 1985
Recording Date
- 00:27:39
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Sent remittance to India but not on regular basis. Sent clothing, pens, etc back through friends returning to India. Activities after work. No problem in adjusting to life here. What he did on Sunday. Had to work on some Sundays; no extra payment. No hard and fast rule on leave.
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Reel/Disc 10 of 14
Metadata
- 27 Feb 1985
Recording Date
- 00:27:56
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Further elaboration of his adjustment to life in Singapore in early days. Mastered pasar Malay within short period. His objection to being called Gujerati singer in Straits Times report.
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