Shopkeeper Businessman Publisher

 

 The story of Subramanian Rethinam Pillai a young teenage Shopkeeper turned Businessman and Publisher from Naval Base.

If Jalan Kedai (Shop Street) was Dr Muthiar Singh’s Orchard Road of Naval Base, it was “a one-stop-shop ‘under one roof’ for our Admin Wan Chan Peew.

“Provisions and basic items were readily available, if not shopkeepers promised replenishments in their next restocking! Purchases could be on ‘credit.’   Purchases could be made on credit with all transactions detailed in iconic ‘555’ pocketbooks maintained by the shopkeeper, and sums owed were acknowledged by the customer. The buyer dutifully settled the outstanding amount on the following Friday, which coincided with the payday of the week. No cheats, no quarrels or disputes of any kind arising therefrom. This harmonious relationship fostered a relationship of unwavering trust and integrity between the shopkeeper and the customer,” added Peew.

Manimegalai Kedai, a popular provision shop stood at the junction of Jalan Kedai and Canberra Road. The provision store offered staples such as rice, sugar, salt, lentils, spices, cooking oil and a variety of dried food products.

These essentials were stacked in jute sacks or tins, wrapped and sold in recycled newspapers which residents probably sold to shop owners! Shopkeepers at Manimegalai would also channel cooking oil or kerosene from large 15kg tins into recycled bottles brought by customers. This practice took place before the advent of plastic when recycling was a way of life – an ironic reflection of the current global push to address climate change.

Colorful Recipe Book

The Promotional Push

The shops lining Jalan Kedai, didn’t entice customers with 'buy one- get- one free' or ‘everything must go’ gimmicks to boost sales or lure customers with flashy advertising. Necessities were sold at affordable prices, probably because the Admiralty absorbed rental and utilities costs.  The shopkeepers at Manimegalai were acquainted with their customers and empathized with families who relied on a sole breadwinner for their livelihood.

 

Subramanian Rethinam Pillai arrived in Singapore as a teen.

Every Journey Begins with a Pioneer

 There’s a saying that every journey begins with a Pioneer. So, join us as we embark on a journey of questions and answers to relive the pioneering spirit of Mr Subramanian Rethinam Pillai who worked for Manimeigalai Kedai.

When and where were you born?

-         I was born in South India in a village called Kodiyakkarai on 5 April 1940.

Can you describe the neighbourhood where you grew up?

-         I grew up in a village with my mother and maternal uncle as my father and his brothers moved to Singapore which was part of Malaya back then.

•How did you come to live in Singapore?

-         I travelled by ship to Singapore alone as my father was already here. My father introduced me to work in the provision shop where he was employed as a salesman.

-         When I arrived as a teen in Singapore in 1958, I initially worked in a shophouse in Short Street for two years where I lived. After working here for 2 years, I moved to another shop called Kalaimagal in Naval Base. In 1960 I moved to Manimegalai where I worked for five years.

Young Subramaniam in striking pose.

•Describe the place where you spent your growing up years.

-         In Mainmegalai shop I lived in accommodation provided by the owner located at the back of the shop.

-         There was also a garden behind our shop where some of us spent time gardening.

-         I enjoyed working there mainly because three square meals including coffee/tea breaks were available from the restaurant.  There were also many other shops, cinemas and places of worship to spend my time.

Who else lived in the house?

- Manimegalai Provision Shop employed 8 workers and hired 10 other workers to operate a restaurant with whom we shared the rooms. Five workers shared a large room which was spacious and airy.

- Who started the provision shop?

-  Mr. Thambapillai, a retired school principal of Admiralty Asian School. He was from Sri Lanka, formerly, Ceylon.  When I started working for him, he was about 60 years-old and his family was staying in 13^th mile.

- Tell us your experiences working in the shop?

I was appointed by Mr. Thambapillai and I gained very valuable experience while working in the shop. When I left 5 years later, I started my own Eau De Cologne business which I ran for 15 years and in 1980 I opened a provision shop in Clementi. This was possible from the experience I gained from Manimeikalai.

- Apart from provisions, what else did Manimeikalai sell?

-  Mr Thambapillai opened an adjacent shop which was manned by two others selling garments, perfume, cosmetics and gifts.

- Did you have English customers from Naval Base?

-         The English customers rarely frequented the shop as they got their provisions from different places like NAAFI (Navy, Army, Air Force Institutes) outlets. Most of the customers were other Asians who were working in Naval Base and were staying in the quarters.

-         Home deliveries were started long before. Can you comment.

-          Home deliveries were provided only for those who worked and lived in Naval Base, who would come personally to the shop to place the orders which we subsequently delivered to their doorsteps.

- What Manimeikalai and Naval Base means to me?

- For me it was mainly the satisfaction of catering to the daily needs of the residents who were working in Naval Base and residents living in the neighbourhood.

 In the course of communicating with many different customers in the Base, I also picked up several languages such as English, Malay, Malayalam and Sri Lankan Tamil which I appreciate.

How did you feel seeing that the place had transformed into a new estate?

- I am very happy to see the place being so well developed and transformed into a new estate and I am also very delightful that I am now staying in my former neighbourhood in Canberra Drive which gives me unforgettable memories.

Mr Subramaniam in his 80s.

- Any happy or sad memories

- As a young boy I would eagerly help my mother make sweets at home, a cherished memory which I dearly missed upon my arrival in Singapore.

In addition to manning the shop, I learnt the art of cooking from talented chefs who were working in the restaurant where I also met my late friend, Sanjeevi. After I left Manimegalai I developed an interest in cooking and over the years I learned to prepare more local dishes and picked-up more culinary skills. Sanjeevi and I enjoyed cooking dishes together for our families during festivals.

After I got married, I ventured into the catering business and with all the experiences gained, I started a new chapter in my life and published my own recipe book in Tamil at the age of 80.

We thank Kohila Subramaniam for helping us delve into her father’s past and for the pictures. Copyright of Kohila Subramaniam.

Under One Roof was the tagline for Singapore’s CK Tang family store located along Orchard Road and title for Singapore’s first English sitcom screened in 1995.