Tamil Murasu – A Loving Bond Forged During School Days

The Umar Pulavar Tamil High School Alumni Association hosted ‘Natpin Kalai Vizha 2024’ at Chua Soo Kang Safara on Saturday, October 5th, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Approximately 200 alumni attended the event, having purchased 40 silver admission tickets.

The attendees were taken back to their teenage years through music, dance, and drama with the help of artificial intelligence.

Six senior residents from Sree Narayan Mission also attended the event and expressed their affection and gratitude.

The school, originally established in 1946 by the Singapore Kadayanallur Muslim League as Umar Pulavar Tamil School, began operating as Umar Pulavar Tamil High School on March 30, 1960, following the completion of a new three-story building.

It also holds the distinction of being the only Tamil high school in Singapore.

Although the school closed in 1982, former students still cherish their memories of studying together as if it were just yesterday.

“We used to participate in many speech competitions and dances. Our principal was very strict,” said Dr. Meenakshi Sabpati, who once studied at the school. “We were involved in groups like the magazine publishing team, scouting, first aid, and conservation but we never neglected our studies,” added Dr. Govindrasu.

The alumni association was founded in 1977.

“Every year, the alumni association organises an event like this,” said Rahmatullah, the Association’s President. “If former students try organising on their own, only a few will be able to reunite. But through this festival, we were able to bring many people together.” He also mentioned that the association helps identify alumni in need of support.

“Contacts given by attendees have been updated,” he added.

Vanitha Singharavelu, who attended the event, shared, “I was happy to reconnect with old friends after many years. The only person missing today is our teacher, who is no longer with us.”

“At that time, we considered our teacher to be like God,” said C. Gunasekaran, the secretary of the association, who also developed the AI-based programme for the event. “The teachers have shaped my life,” he added, quoting a line in Hindi, “जीवन भार मेरा की गाया है” (My life has been shaped by what I’ve learned).

Sheikh Usman from Malarkodi expressed the group’s sentiments: “The school environment was unique in itself. We were saddened by its closure.”

Tamil writers Thanalaetsumi, Sukunabai, and Thanapakyam also shared their experiences: “We looked up to our teacher, M. Thangarasan, as an example. He told stories in such an engaging way that we were inspired to become Tamil writers ourselves, which greatly improved our writing skills.”

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