Entertainment  of Indian Immigrants

Source 1: An extract of the history of the Singapore Indian Association.

The Singapore Indian Association was one of several ethnic sports clubs established to serve their own community during the Colonial Times. Founded in 1923, the Association aims at promoting the social, physical, intellectual, cultural and the general welfare of its members. It was a popular place for young Indians to meet socially and indulge in sports, particularly cricket, tennis and billiard. The Association excelled in cricket and hockey.

The Singapore Indian Association is more than just a Clubhouse. It is a landmark and has been designated as being part of the heritage zone in the Balestier Plain.

Reference:

Sport Singapore (2019).  Indian Association. Retrieved from https://www.sportsingapore.gov.sg/sports-education/history-of-singapore-sports/sports-clubs/indian-association

Source 2: A postcard depicting Indian performers and dancers in Singapore, 1900s.

Reference:

National Archives of Singapore (1900s).  GROUP PHOTOGRAPH OF INDIAN PERFORMERS AND DANCERS. Slide number S22347

Source 3: The history of Lanka Union in the 1920s Singapore.

The Lanka Union was founded in January 1920 by a group of students from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) who were studying at the King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore. They believed there was a need for a united Ceylonese body for the promotion of sport, in particular cricket and soccer. The word “Union” was adopted mainly because they wanted the name to stand for a united body of all groups of Ceylonese students in Singapore, namely, Burghers, Sinhalese, Tamils and Moors.

After some years, the members opined that Lanka Union was not necessarily the best name for the association. They then decided to dissolve the Union and reconstitute it into the Ceylon Sports Club. On 1 June 1928, the Ceylon Sports Club was registered.

Reference:

Ceylon Sports Club Singapore (2016).  History. Retrieved from http://cscsingapore.org.sg/about-us/history/

Source 4: The history of how the Indian Association was formed in the early 20th century Singapore.

In the early 20th century, it was felt that Indian youngsters needed a place where they could meet socially and engage in sporting activities. The Indian Association was thus formed in 1923 by a group of Indians including Rajabali Jumabhoy and Bashir Mallal, both prominent Indians of the time. Its main goal was to promote the welfare of Indians and provide the community with opportunities for leisure activities. Its main premises were at Short Street but it also acquired land on Balestier Plain for use as an open playing field.

Reference:

Conceicao, J.L. (2016). Singapore Indian Association.  Singapore Infopedia, National Library Board. https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1526_2009-05-21.html

Source 5: A postcard of Indian Snake Charmers in Singapore, c.1900.

Reference:

National Archives of Singapore (c. 1900).  INDIAN SNAKE CHARMERS, SINGAPORE. Slide number S1223

Source 6: History of Ananda Bhavan restaurant in the 1920s Singapore.

Established in 1924, Ananda Bhavan Restaurant is the oldest Indian vegetarian restaurant in Singapore. Its first restaurant, located at the Ellison Building, is currently owned by its founder’s grandson, Rama Chandra. Ananda Bhavan means “house of bliss” in Hindi and was named after the home of India’s first Prime Minister as Chandra’s grandfather was a nationalist. The restaurant started by serving only South Indian vegetarian cuisine. In recent years, it has included North Indian and Indian Chinese fusion vegetarian cuisine on its menu.

Reference:

National Heritage Board. (2018). Little India Heritage Trail.  https://roots.sg/~/media/Roots/Files/little-india-heritage-trail/nhb_littleindia-trail-booklet_2018.pdf?la=en

© 2023 Bedok South Secondary School. All rights reserved.