RAMACHANDRAN Padmanabhan
Communities of Singapore (Part 2),
Accession Number 001236
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 14
Total Reels
- Rajandran Supramaniam
Interviewer
- 06:34:14
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 14
Metadata
- 19 Nov 1990
Recording Date
- 00:26:21
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Personal background. Father a jewellery businessman in India. Village folks' main occupations - farming and tailoring, labouring. Pastimes - playing cards, fishing and games. Kerala's reputation based on artistic and cultural developments. For example 'kathakali' popular and originated from Kerala. Chinese style opera costumes worn. Mostly men take part in this art. Drama also popular.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 14
Metadata
- 19 Nov 1990
Recording Date
- 00:29:05
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Kerala famous for its temples. Swami Iyappa Temple central attraction worldwide for Tamils and Malayalees. Pilgrims aspire to visit Savari Malai Temple to pay respect to Iyappa in desire to fulfil personal wishes. Each family in Kerala has picture of Iyappa at home - a religious tradition. Other temples such as Palakadevi, Janagaswami Valka and Vakalasivagin also popular with people in Kerala.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 14
Metadata
- 21 Nov 1990
Recording Date
- 00:24:59
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Attained Primary 4 education. Attended Malayalam school in Kerala. Subjects studied. Single-storey school building. 30 to 35 students in a class. Altogether 13 classes. School hours. Tamil not taught; acquired the language from Tamil movies and Tamil newspapers.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 14
Metadata
- 5 Dec 1990
Recording Date
- 00:29:21
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Difficult to find jobs. Tamils worked on contract basis. Others go to Labour Exchange to get jobs. Many worked as dockyard workers. Bachelors quarters known as King's Dockyard quarters at Keppel Road. Out of 3 blocks, one block for families and 2 for bachelors. Fitters and labourers worked for 8 hours and received $2.30 per day. Meals self-cooked. Happy and simple lifestyle. Pastimes - play cards, sing songs and gossip. He worked as labourer on contract.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 14
Metadata
- 5 Dec 1990
Recording Date
- 00:30:35
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Many Tamils worked as goldsmiths at Buffalo Road and Kerbau Road. In 1950s, 3-storey buildings along Kerbau Road, Buffalo Road; rental for rooms on 6 months basis was $45, one-room for 4 people with restrictions on water and electricity. Many used public taps. Sometimes quarrels and fights over this. Favourite pastimes: seeing pictures at Royal, Diamond and Starlight cinemas; gatherings along corridors of shophouses, temples and open grounds. Popular temples: Mariamman and Veeramakaliamman Temples.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 14
Metadata
- 13 Dec 1990
Recording Date
- 00:29:57
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Worked at Pulau Bukom as labourer on contract basis. Given Singapore citizenship in 1955 or 1956. Majority of Indian nationals decided to give up Indian citizenship to settle here because of good housing, jobs and decent living standards. Others denied of citizenship, left and some continued staying here while being Indian nationals.
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