NARAYANASAMY Ramasamy
Communities of Singapore (Part 2),
Accession Number 001194
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 12
Total Reels
- Rajandran Supramaniam
Interviewer
- 04:02:46
Total Running Time
- Tamil
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 12
Metadata
- 28 May 1990
Recording Date
- 00:29:46
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Personal background. Attained primary school education in India. Majority of village folks were Mudaliar caste, involved in business and cloth weaving trade. Has two sisters and one brother. Famous temples are Pillayar Temple, Mariamman Temple. After leaving school, took up odd jobs and sold fruits. In 1930 left for Kubagunam village to earn a living with family.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 12
Metadata
- 28 May 1990
Recording Date
- 00:30:42
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Came to Singapore in 1930. One week journey on board ship, RAJULLAH. Friends and relatives here. Stayed with relative, Kar Sultan Company agent for cattles. Began work in Krishna Vilas, Ananda Bhavan and Komala Vilas as general worker. Thosai cost 5 cents, coffee 5 cents. Eating stalls along streets and coffee shops owned by Indians. P Govindasamy Pillai was accounts clerk with Nadar Company. Toddy shops popular with Indian labourers. Most coffeeshops sold toddy in bucket for 10 cents.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 12
Metadata
- 26 Sep 1990
Recording Date
- 00:19:22
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Indians working in Public Works Department and Municipality as labourers, sweepers and mandores. Appa Kadiar famous cable contractor. Many Indians worked for his contract. Betel leaves seller, cigarette stalls at corridors of shophouses. Traditional costumes - dhoti, shirt and head-dress for menfolk and sarees for women. Many rented rooms for $5, staying together with 20-30 people. Boxing, wrestling main attraction at open space of Rex Cinema.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 12
Metadata
- 26 Sep 1990
Recording Date
- 00:18:33
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Drama troupes from India, dance shows, dramas. 25 cents and 35 cents for tickets. Silent pictures in Malborough Theatre at Beach Road and later Royal Diamond Theatres at North Bridge Road. Desker Road patronised by Indian males. Leisure - playing cards, gatherings at Farrer Park and other open spaces in Serangoon Road. Rajamanikam, a well-known martial art instructor, conducted classes for youths. Other activities - correspondence with families in India.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 12
Metadata
- 26 Sep 1990
Recording Date
- 00:18:53
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Fewer Indian women then, mostly bachelors. Women's preoccupation with families and temples; leisure - knitting. Parrot astrologers seen along corridors of shophouses and temple grounds. Tanjong Pagar flooded with Harbour Board workers. S L Perumal, an agent and contractor for Indian labourers. Cattle breeding places at Katong, Potong Pasir, Serangoon Road. Some owned by Uttar Pradeshis, others Tamils. Bullock-cart and horse carriages popular mode of transportation.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 12
Metadata
- 26 Sep 1990
Recording Date
- 00:16:47
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Malayalee bachelors at Naval Base vicinity. Most worked in Naval Base as labourers, dockyard workers and clerks. Tailor shops, eating stalls owned by Tamils and Indian Muslims. Drama troupes from India performed at Sembawang. Leisure - playing cards, gatherings, going to Johore Bahru and leisurely walks after work. Sometimes fights and commotions in vicinity, over misunderstandings. He worked as cook for a Malayalee family.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 12
Metadata
- 27 Sep 1990
Recording Date
- 00:19:35
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Worked in Pontian as labourer in 1937. Came back to Singapore and lived in Changi 14th milestone. Indian community in Changi mainly Department of Civil Aviation workers, some in RAF, others in Prisons Department. Many Malayalee tailors eg Varagasu, Raveedranadth Tailors, etc. Eating stall owned by Kannan Peter in coffee shop. Women selling vadai, thosai on the streets. Rama Temple at Changi and Murugan Temple.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 12
Metadata
- 27 Sep 1990
Recording Date
- 00:15:31
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Married in 1953 at Jeevanath Tamil School at Changi. Some marriages took place in homes; later in temples. Worked with Prisons Department from 1953-1978 as mason. In early days Tamil devotees fond of making goat and other live animal sacrifices in name of God or Goddess. Since 1978 until now, he does odd jobs and sells peanuts at gate of Changi Prison.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 12
Metadata
- 27 Sep 1990
Recording Date
- 00:25:09
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Indians working as labourers, sweepers and in prisons during Japanese Occupation. Appa Kadiar, cable contractor and agent helped Indian and Chinese families with food and jobs. Japanese identified Indians with vermillion and a tiny mark on their foreheads. Instructions given for Indians to identify themselves with white cloth when they are in large groups at Farrer Park. Temples used as shelters eg Mariamman Temple. After war, many Indians left for India and some came back.
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Reel/Disc 10 of 12
Metadata
- 27 Sep 1990
Recording Date
- 00:15:33
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
After war, free passage to India. Some Indians left Singapore and some came back to settle here. Some worked as labourers and others set-up own business with Chettiars giving financial assistance. Many Tamils from Mannarkodi and Athivati villages came to Singapore prior to Japanese Occupation. Afterwar, many left and began to settle in India.
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