Memories that Linger

During the 1950s and 70s’, I use to live in Nee Soon Road with my parents, three brothers and three sisters. My father was a storekeeper then at the British Ordinance Depot at Alexandra Road which was subsequently re-located at Transit Road, in Nee Soon. Most of the time, our young lives were very ordinary and mundane, without any excitement. Other than school, we hardly visit places.

However, all these feelings would change when my parents decide that we visit Uncle Vasu, who lived in Block 4, Naval Base, on weekends. Anticipation filled the air as my younger siblings and I eagerly awaited these weekend outings. Every visit to the Naval Base held a promise of excitement and new experiences and I always look forward to the outing.  

We used to travel in the morning and to gain entry into Naval Base, my uncle would come to the Main Gate at Sembawang to sponsor us in.  We were given specific duration to stay there, and we would leave by 10.00 p.m. The privilege of venturing beyond our usual boundaries and into this Protected domain added a sense of adventure and mystery to our lives.

I remember the presence of a significant Malayalee community in the Naval Base and Sembawang.  One focal point for convergence for them was the Sree Narayana Mission building at Soon Keat Road, which was completed in 1956.  My mother was an ardent exponent of the Kathaprasangam (an art of storytelling and singing session), which was much loved by people from Kerala.  In the mid-1950s, my mother held a Kathaprasangam concert in an open field in Sembawang to help raise funds for the Sree Narayana Mission.    The concert drew considerable attention and was well-attended by the community.

There were two theatres in Naval Base, namely the Naval Base Theatre and the Canberra Theatre.  Malayalam movies were screened in the latter and I still have vivid memories of watching the movie Bharya (Wife) in 1962 which starred then celebrated actor and actress, Sathyan and Ragini.

The Kerala Library was located inside the Naval Base. Every year, during Onam, the Malayalee Community would celebrate this festival in Canberra Padang, an open field inside the Naval Base. Kathakali (a classical Indian dance performed my males with elaborate makeup and costumes) was often featured together with other dances and songs. One of the popular yesteryears barathanatyam dancers was Miss Vasantha Mani who used to perform regularly during the Onam celebrations.  I still remember British Officers from Naval Base were the guests- of-honor and they were always seated in the front row. 

I studied at the Naval Base Secondary School when I was in Secondary One.  Most of my classmates excelled in both sports and studies.  Some of them were Quah Kim Song, M Kumar and P N Sivaji.

 Asokan standing in back row on extreme right with many classmates from Sembawang in Secondary 4 in Upper Thomson Secondary School in 1968.  Form teacher Sarban Singh seated in center.

 Text and picture copyright of R Asokan