S M Vasagar @ SUBRAMANIAM MANICKAR Vasagar
Communities of Singapore (Part 2),
Accession Number 001301
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 18
Total Reels
- Rajandran Supramaniam
Interviewer
- 09:10:22
Total Running Time
- English, 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 18
Metadata
- 5 Jun 1991
Recording Date
- 00:31:24
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Personal background and family history. Came to Singapore in 1938. Boat fare 50 rupees. Stayed at Kampong Bahru Road shophouse; rental $3. Early impressions of Singapore. Uncle arranged for his trip here. Tamils in Tanjong Pagar worked in Harbour Board. Contractor Kottai Govindasamy provided free meals for workers. P Govindasamy Pillai and his contributions.
Remarks
Interview was conducted with a mix of English and Tamil.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 2 of 18
Metadata
- 5 Jun 1991
Recording Date
- 00:31:37
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Tanjong Pagar and Tamil residents. Tamil school at Kampong Bahru Road. Armenian Street and Stamford Road mainly European enclaves. Sikhs worked as guards and night jagas. Tamil music teachers. Railway quarters occupied by Ceylonese community. Names of prominent Ceylonese during 1930s.
Remarks
Interview was conducted with a mix of English and Tamil.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 3 of 18
Metadata
- 5 Jun 1991
Recording Date
- 00:31:17
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Chettiar and Arab communities in 1930s and 1940s. Their important roles and contributions. Jews enclave in Bras Basah Road and Bencoolen Street. Prominent Tamils such as Annamalai and Nagalingam Mudaliar. Chettiars, the only people who gave financial loans. Description of Kampong Bahru Road, shophouses, hotels and restaurants.
Remarks
Interview was conducted with a mix of English and Tamil.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 4 of 18
Metadata
- 5 Jun 1991
Recording Date
- 00:31:35
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Description of Indian temples. History of Vadapathara Kaliamman Temple at Serangoon Road. Holy tree in temple. Sources of donations and charities. Role of Saragapany, Tamil Murasu editor. His ideology and contributions to Tamil community. Tamil dramas during Pongal festival. Reform marriages amongst Tamils.
Remarks
Interview was conducted with a mix of English and Tamil.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 5 of 18
Metadata
- 10 Jun 1991
Recording Date
- 00:31:06
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Worked as lawyer's clerk for Thamboo Philips Company. Prominent Ceylonese Tamils and their contributions to Ceylon Tamils Association. History of Ceylon Tamils Association and election of Presidents. People's Action Party (PAP) and its founder members. In 1953, elected as City Councillor. Progressive Party members and their contributions. Details of Progressive Party and names of founder members. Strikes in various places.
Remarks
Interview was conducted with a mix of English and Tamil.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 6 of 18
Metadata
- 10 Jun 1991
Recording Date
- 00:31:36
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
City Council and Councillors. Port workers strikes and detentions. Social conditions and lifestyles during Lim Yew Hock's government. History of Ceylon Sports Club; main activities and patrons. Names of eminent members of Ceylon Sports Club.
Remarks
Interview was conducted with a mix of English and Tamil.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 18
Metadata
- 24 Jun 1991
Recording Date
- 00:31:22
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Important facts on City Council. Legislative Council Election 1951. City Council Election 1957. Granting of citizenship and criteria set. Lee Kuan Yew and Devan Nair's contributions to trade union movement. In 1958, acted as Mayor for one day.
Remarks
Interview was conducted with a mix of English and Tamil.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 18
Metadata
- 24 Jun 1991
Recording Date
- 00:31:43
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Liberal granting of citizenship to Tamils in Blair Plain. House to house visits. Lifestyle of Tamils and their families. Tamil dramas from epic Ramayana. Tamil festivals. Types of favourite sports such as karagatham and silabattam were popular. Sikh wrestling matches a favourite sport and entertainment. Indians' interest in education and sports.
Remarks
Interview was conducted with a mix of English and Tamil.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 18
Metadata
- 4 Jul 1991
Recording Date
- 00:31:15
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
City Councillors were helpful, friendly and sociable in 1957 to 1959. Provided help and social service. How he wanted a proper crematorium for Hindu funerals. Changi Beach was where the labouring class people used for scattering ashes of the deceased. P Govindasamy also wanted to build a proper crematorium. Funeral rites and importance of some rituals.
Remarks
Interview was conducted with a mix of English and Tamil.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 10 of 18
Metadata
- 4 Jul 1991
Recording Date
- 00:31:31
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
In early days, Kottai Govindasamy and P Govindasamy contributed to Tamil funeral expenses for those working here as bachelors. Ceylonese community procedures during funeral ceremonies. Impact of Japanese Occupation. Indian National Army and its significance to Indians. Poverty and unemployment were huge problems. Tamils did some social service during Japanese Occupation period.
Remarks
Interview was conducted with a mix of English and Tamil.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
