SIVAPATHASUNDARAM Sangarapillai
Communities of Singapore (Part 2),
Accession Number 001339
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 20
Total Reels
- Rajandran Supramaniam
Interviewer
- 09:55:27
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 20
Metadata
- 9 Dec 1991
Recording Date
- 00:30:55
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Personal background. Father a railway inspector. In late 1920s father returned to Ceylon. Jaffna Tamil (Ceylonese) migration and employment in railway service. Lifestyle and social conditions in Ceylon. Attended school in Ceylon and attained basic education. Caste system and segregation in Ceylonese community. Lower caste discriminated against.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 2 of 20
Metadata
- 9 Dec 1991
Recording Date
- 00:31:24
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Hindu temples in Ceylon. Type of festivals celebrated. Social customs. Marriages and dowry system. Type of dowry and reasons for Ceylonese community adopting it. Impressions of Singapore. Ceylon Tamils who migrated, worked in civil service - particularly strong in judiciary, health and railway services. Description of villages in Ceylon.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 3 of 20
Metadata
- 10 Dec 1991
Recording Date
- 00:30:48
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Came to Singapore in 1937. Brought along some basic things such as clothings and small box. Mother sent him off at railway station. Other well-wishers came to house. Ceylonese and Japanese passengers on board ship. Five days journey. Emotional reactions and conditions on ship. First impressions of Singapore. Stayed at sister's house at New Bridge Road.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 4 of 20
Metadata
- 10 Dec 1991
Recording Date
- 00:31:22
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Kampong Bahru and Outram Road vicinity. Prominent buildings and landmarks.Traffic police giving directions at road junctions during pre-war days. Singapore General Hospital building. Indian males worked as doctors and hospital dressers; girls teaching and nursing profesisons. Ceylonese worked in railway station as station registers, clerks etc. Description of government quarters, shophouses and rental houses.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 5 of 20
Metadata
- 11 Dec 1991
Recording Date
- 00:31:00
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Vinayagar and Mariamman Temples favourite for Indians in Kampong Bahru and Tanjong Pagar. They were mainly harbour and railway workers. Outram Primary School and Raffles Institution during pre-war days. Names of teachers, type of sports and subjects taught, school fees. Fair number of Asian and European teachers. Quite a number of Indian teachers in these schools.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 6 of 20
Metadata
- 11 Dec 1991
Recording Date
- 00:31:27
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Raffles Institution vicinity during pre-war days. Capitol Cinema, Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus, Raffles Hotel, Peter Chong Bookshops were landmarks. Jews' enclave in Waterloo and Bencoolen Streets. Names of prominent Jews. Jewish lifestyle. Peranakan community. Tallest building then was Cathay Building. Public transportation - omni buses and mosquito buses.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Loading...
Reel/Disc 8 of 20
Metadata
- 12 Dec 1991
Recording Date
- 00:31:36
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Snake charmers' background and family history. Possible factors for them to be in this trade. Parrot astrologers, dhobies and street-barbers were common sight during pre-war days. Another popular trade was the goldsmith. Tamils had tali, jewels, ear-rings made at Kampong Bahru. Goldsmiths also did ear-piercing for children. Rajamanikam was favourite astrologer consulted for important occasions.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 9 of 20
Metadata
- 15 Dec 1991
Recording Date
- 00:31:00
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Cattle farms and sheds in pre-war days. Tamils and Uttar Pradeshis in milk-selling occupations. Buffalos and cows roamed the streets then. Milk supplied in bottles and cylindrical cans. Milk for drinking and offerings at temples. During Tamil Pongal festival, special treatment given for cows. Cows decorated with garlands and other items. Kachang puteh sellers seen everywhere especially in cinema lobbies. Leisure for Tamils seeing pictures at Royal Theatre.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 10 of 20
Metadata
- 15 Dec 1991
Recording Date
- 00:30:17
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
During pre-war days, train journeys popular for Europeans and Asians. History of Ceylonese Tamil contribution in railway work. Sikh community mainly as watchmen in schools, godowns and shophouses, also served in police and prisons. Serangoon Road landscape. Contributions of P Govindasamy Pillai. Textile shops, luggage shop, goldsmith shops. Wrestling matches, Malay dances in New World.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
