Singapore, March 20 Renowned historian Dhoraisingam Stephen Samuel, who spearheaded efforts to preserve Singapore's heritage, including the Chetti communities of Indian descent, died on March 14 at the age of 101, reported Friday's weekly tabla!
Through his research on the community, Samuel shed light on an important part of Singapore's early heritage and strengthened the cultural bridge between the Indian-origin Chetti communities of Singapore and Malaysia, said former ambassador K. Kesavapany in a tribute to the historian and author of seven books on the island state's history and heritage.
Among the books was Singapore's Heritage: 'Through Places Of Historical Interest'. Written and published in 1991, it remains a key compilation of 180 important sites in Singapore. His 2005 book, Peranakan Indians of Singapore and Melaka, is another notable chronicle of the Chetti Melaka community.
The community originated from India but settled in the two Southeast Asian countries, adopting local culture and traditions between the 1800s and 1900s. In 2008, Samuel played a significant role in forming the Association of Chetti Melaka, which is now the Melaka port state – a trading centre in Southeast Asia for the past two centuries.
"Following the book publication, the community suddenly found its own identity and came together. This is one of Samuel's greatest achievements," the weekly quoted Kesavapany as saying.
Born in 1925 in Kuala Selangor town in Malaysia now, Samuel began his career as an educator, teaching at Victoria School in Singapore in the 1950s, and was known for his fierce advocacy for his students.
Having been active in the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) here, Samuel served as a pillar of Singapore's racial and religious harmony, noted Ameerali Abdeali, president of the Muslim Kidney Action Association and council member of the IRO.
"He was a very humble, gentle man who was obliging and very happy to share his knowledge," Ameerali told tabla!
Special research adviser at the Institute of Policy Studies, Arun Mahizhnan, who was a former student of Samuel at Bartley Secondary School, described him as a "deeply inspiring figure to others".
According to Mahizhnan, Samuel had worked closely alongside former deputy prime minister Goh Keng Swee on various initiatives, noting that "Dr Goh was not easy to impress."
Samuel is survived by three daughters and a grandson.