ABISHEGANADEN, Alex
Performing Arts in Singapore (Music),
Accession Number 001461
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 11
Total Reels
- Tan Beng Luan
Interviewer
- 05:40:04
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 11
Metadata
- 9 Mar 1994
Recording Date
- 00:31:03
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Alex Abisheganaden's family background and how his parents first came to Malaya from South India. His father's occupation, their strict Christian upbringing and the family at home. Alex's school life and family life. Music was a natural part of life. Alex's training and working as a teacher, and his one-year in United Kingdom to do a Headmaster's Course, and his enrolment in the Royal College of Music there. His private life of music, founding the Singapore Classical Guitar, and his transfer to the Educational Television Unit of Ministry Of Education (MOE). The setting up of the Music Unit under then Minister Ong Pang Boon, his colleagues and the work they did.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 2 of 11
Metadata
- 9 Mar 1994
Recording Date
- 00:31:12
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Further details of his work with the Music Unit, the formation of the Singapore Youth Festival and his return to teaching when the Music Unit was closed. Retired from teaching in 1984 and ran classical guitar programmes for the National University. His field of interest today: community music-making. Recalls the time 1950-65 when culture and promotion of the arts was in the hands of private music societies. Recalls boyhood days watching Indian coolies at work, chanting to a rhythm, and talks about Singapore poetry. Mentions a few accomplished musicians today whose lives he had touched.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 3 of 11
Metadata
- 9 Mar 1994
Recording Date
- 00:30:48
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*The Japanese Occupation and its effect on his education and his family. His memories of the Japanese School where he learnt to read and write Japanese. Recalls Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indian Independence Movement in Singapore. Through music, got involved with the Provisional Government of Azad Hind Broadcasting Station that aired anti-British propaganda, music programmes and plays, etc. Alex was in the orchestra. Remembers well-known orchestra leader Watanabe. Also played in restaurants that catered to both Japanese and locals.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 4 of 11
Metadata
- 16 Mar 1994
Recording Date
- 00:31:18
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Attended music concerts regularly during Japanese Occupation. Musicians included some of the best from Eastern Europe. Besides participating in a singing contest organised by Radio Syonan, he was made to teach the singing of Japanese songs over radio and he also performed in the Syonankokaido (the Japanese name for Victoria Theatre). Alex talks about how interest in music began for himself and his family, the influence passed down from mum and dad who were staunch Christians and sang hymns in their daily prayers at home. Talks about the favourite instruments of member of his family and how he branched out into the various fields of music.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 5 of 11
Metadata
- 16 Mar 1994
Recording Date
- 00:30:55
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*The first music school and the early ones that followed. The setting up of the Guitar Society with offered an enrichment programme in contrast to the music schools that taught music in textbook fashion. Further details of his involvement in operattas, operas and acting. Talks a bit about his other love - reading - from the Bible to great works in Literature. Has written two books about the guitar, wrote songs for schools, community and the government. Promote classical guitar playing is his next immediate project and hopes to get involved in community music-making.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 6 of 11
Metadata
- 16 Mar 1994
Recording Date
- 00:31:16
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Life back home after training in England. No desire to be professional musician in nightclubs or cabarets. He was far gone into classical music. Money was never a motivation for performing. Talks about the uninspiring recording studios where a whole orchestra can be recorded without assembling the musicians together, and his love for performing live because you gain experience and refinement and that's what artistry is all about. He finds greater joy in teaching music than performing. Worked with The Sceneshifters, one of the earliest music drama groups here, the Lyric Theatre and Theatreworks.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 7 of 11
Metadata
- 13 Apr 1994
Recording Date
- 00:30:29
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*His role in the Musical Arts Centre which came under the Ministry of Education (MOE). Recalls its origins and objective which is to combat juvenile delinquency by introducing music to the youth and culture of the four main races. Talks about the late Charles Lazaroo, Che Som Said, Madhava Krishana, etc, and details of the programmes, the response and some of the outstanding musicians that came out of those programmes. Other programmes supported by MOE included Young Musicians Society and various other ethnic cultural groups.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 8 of 11
Metadata
- 13 Apr 1994
Recording Date
- 00:30:48
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*His personal views when the Centre finally closed down. The Extra Curriculum Activities (ECA) Centre (of which the Music Unit was a part) promoted also sports, uniform groups and school bands. Details the success of the school band movement. Recalls the earliest private music society - the Singapore Musical Society formed in 1902, followed by others such as the Singapore Music Ensemble and Lee How Chorus. The earliest music shops are Him Sing Piano Company and Nan Heng Piano. The early private music teachers from the 1930s were Filipinos and Goanese.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 9 of 11
Metadata
- 4 May 1994
Recording Date
- 00:30:42
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Fondly remembers Dr Chota Singh, an Indian doctor who taught Indian music and songs to the Indian community, the Malay ronggeng dancers and Chinese operas. The man who started the Chinese Youth Orchestra Lee Suat Lin who also ran and conducted the National Theatre Orchestra. Also touches on Indian dance under influential K P Bhaskar. Moves on to describe how his own family members got involved in music activities. The music background at his home during his childhood days, the instruments he and his siblings took up and how their music continued during the war years.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 10 of 11
Metadata
- 4 May 1994
Recording Date
- 00:31:07
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Continues to discuss the different musical paths taken by his brothers. Talks about the war years when he first picked up the guitar to the time he left for the Royal College of Music in 1960. Recalls the shows at British military camps and the directions he branched out into. In the 70s, there was the various orchestral music societies, and some of the amateur musicians who provided for a musical life in Singapore. Talks about his wife Aileen, daughter Jacintha and son Peter.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
