Tamils Reform Association

The Tamils Reform Association (TRA), now known as the Singapore Tamil Society, was the preeminent Tamil social organisation that spearheaded major shifts in the Tamil community from the 1930s to the 1950s.  Some of its founding leaders later became the torchbearers for the entire Tamil community. 

TRA's origins stem from a visit to Malaya and Singapore in 1929 by Indian social reformer E V Ramasamy, popularly known as Periyar. While his reformist ideals had taken root in the region before his first visit to Singapore on 25 December 1929, this visit catalysed the formation of TRA. Similar reform associations emerged across Malaya, including Penang, Batu Gajah, Kuala Kangsar, and Malacca in the early 1930s.

G Sarangapany, who distributed Periyar's weekly publication Kudi Arasu in Singapore, maintained regular correspondence with Periyar as Periyar’s ideologies inspired him. He played a key role in organising his visit to Malaya. Periyar addressed the public at Singapore's Town Hall on 27 December 1929, and his interactions with key Tamil leaders seeded the idea for a local reform organisation.

On 21 April 1930, a public meeting was held at the Indian Association with the aim of establishing an association for Tamils’ reform. The meeting formed a committee comprising O Ramasamy Nadar, B Govindasamy Chettiar, G Ramalinga Thevar, A C Suppiah, and S Gopal to proceed further. A follow-up gathering on 13 July 1930 drew 150 attendees, with Nadar presiding.

Nadar's speech aligned with Periyar's reformist principles, highlighting objectives such as abolishing untouchability and the caste system, advocating women's rights, promoting education, emphasising thrift, and rejecting irrational customs. However, Periyar's anti-Brahminical and atheistic elements were not explicitly included. Nadar and Govindasamy Chettiar pledged to secure a building for the association.

In choosing a name for the new organisation, "Tamils Reform Association" won overwhelming support over "Self-Respect Movement". While TRA drew inspiration from Periyar's Self-Respect Movement, it maintained its individuality from inception. When the Malaya Tribune mistakenly referred to TRA as a branch of the Self-Respect Movement in May 1933, Sarangapany secured a published apology.

The meeting elected the following as office bearers: Ramasamy Nadar (President), Govindasamy Chettiar (Vice-President), G Sarangapany (Secretary), S Gopal (Assistant Secretary), A Rajagopal (Treasurer), and A Adhisayam (Auditor).

After a quiet period during the Great Depression, TRA reconvened on 29 May 1932 at the Indo-Ceylonese Club. Nagalingam Mudaliar, presiding over the meeting, emphasised the need for TRA by citing issues including lack of Tamil unity, social hierarchy, extravagant lifestyle, women's oppression, child marriage, and other social injustices. New office bearers were elected, with Nagalingam as President and Sarangapany continuing as Honorary Secretary. TRA was officially launched in 1932 with 80 members.

At subsequent meetings in August 1932 and March 1933, the Association's objectives expanded to include Tamil education and the eradication of untouchability. Nagalingam confirmed that TRA would represent Tamil Muslims and Christians. However, in August 1934, Nagalingam, who had also served as the President of the Ceylon-Tamils Association, faced accusations of criminal breach of trust by Narayanan Chettiar, leading to a trial that commenced in early 1935. Consequently, Nagalingam was no longer involved in any capacity with TRA from 1934 onwards. Suppiah probably assumed leadership, either in 1934 or sometime in early 1935.

On 6 July 1935, Suppiah inaugurated TRA's new premises at 20 Klang Road, which included a Tamil Reading Room with 500 books and daily newspapers. TRA's membership grew to 450, and M Meenambal joined as the women's representative. The Association launched Tamil Murasu, a weekly magazine, on the same day. By December 1935, membership surged to 1,044, including 14 women, making TRA the largest Indian organisation in Malaya.  At a $1 annual subscription fee, membership was open to any Tamil individual.

TRA flourished through diverse activities in theatre, literature, sports, and volunteer services. Its first play, "Suguna Sundaram”, penned by N Palanivelu, highlighted the evils of the caste system and the mistreatment of women. The literature section organised weekly public lectures on reform topics, while volunteers assisted members during family events. The Association arranged quarterly excursions for member bonding.

Despite Tamil Murasu's increased publication frequency, financial losses led to its sale to Sarangapany in May 1936. Under his management, it became profitable and eventually Singapore's only Tamil daily. As part of its reform movement, TRA pioneered "reformed Tamil weddings" that eschewed traditional religious rituals, replacing them with modern practices, such as ring exchanges.

During the TRA’s anniversary celebrations on 5 July 1936, President Suppiah announced the Association's plan to launch an English monthly titled Reform on 6 July 1936. The aim of this publication was announced as “to place before the non-Tamil Asiatic and the European public the objects of the Association.” Additionally, the meeting set a target to increase the TRA membership to 2,000 within the year.

By early 1937, the TRA had emerged as Singapore's primary Tamil organisation, leading discussions on significant matters, including the coronation celebrations of King George VI and protests against compulsory Hindi language legislation in Madras. In 1938, TRA appealed to colonial authorities to ban practices like 'Alagu Kavadis', which involve piercing the cheek, tongue and torso, and firewalking, though unsuccessfully.

In 1940, TRA passed resolutions advocating for the abolition of toddy shops, preventing the use of the derogatory term 'kling', and promoting free and compulsory Tamil education. Sarangapany proposed establishing a public Tamil library, encouraging each Tamil individual to contribute one book.

In February 1941, TRA unanimously accepted Sarangapany's proposal for an All-Malaya Tamils Association. The inaugural conference in April 1941 drew 500 delegates to Nadar's bungalow, with the Association officially launching in July of that year. Nadar, who had returned as President, donated a shophouse valued at over $10,000 to TRA and pledged additional funds for renovation. However, World War II interrupted these plans, and Nadar departed permanently to India.

TRA's activities halted during the Japanese Occupation (1942-1945), followed by a five-year recovery period. By 1950, the Association had lost both its inaugural President Nadar and Vice-President Chettiar. Suppiah and Sarangapany emerged as key leaders, with Sarangapany resuming the publication of Tamil Murasu in 1947.

In 1949-50, TRA engaged in several initiatives: Sarangapany joined the Hindu Advisory Board, the Association supported the Mariamman Temple's decision to end animal sacrifices, and advocated against devotee self-mortification practices during Thaipusam. However, to this day, self-mortification continues. 

The first post-war annual general meeting, held in February 1951, established committees for the University of Malaya's Tamil Studies program and requested that Pongal Day replace Thaipusam as a public holiday. The latter request remains unfilled. Moreover, Thaipusam itself was removed as a Public Holiday in 1968. Deepavali is the only public holiday now for Hindus.

In August 1951, Sarangapany established the Tamils Representative Council (TRC), uniting 24 Tamil organisations, including TRA. By 1952, Sarangapany became TRA's vice-president, and by 1954, its leader. During Periyar's second visit to Singapore in 1955, TRA participated in his reception at Happy World Stadium, which drew a crowd of 5,000 attendees.

A significant contribution by TRA is its advocacy of registered marriages. It opposed the inclusion of traditional marriage rituals as part of an official marriage ceremony. The Association's objectives were partially realised through the 1961 Women's Charter, mandating marriage registration without requiring customary ceremonies.

In 1958, TRA supported the idea of compulsory voting in the upcoming 1959 General Election, which marked the first time the People’s Action Party (PAP) came to power in Singapore.  In 1959, it led a campaign to collect funds for the completion of Umar Pulavar Tamil High School, the first Tamil high school on the island, which was slated to open the following year.

Another development seriously affected the functioning of TRA. Sarangapany suspended the publication of Tamil Murasu due to a one-year strike by employees from 3 July 1963 to 10 July 1964, as they sought a pay rise. This strike resulted in the TRA losing its primary means of connection with the community, the Tamil Murasu. Even after the publication resumed, it faced competition from another daily, Tamil Malar, which had been launched during the hiatus. Throughout the 1960s, TRA did not seem to have undertaken any significant initiatives or events on its own, though it was included in all TRC initiatives.

Leadership disputes within TRA emerged in 1969-70, with Sarangapany challenging the Association’s election results in court. However, on 16 March 1974, Sarangapany passed away, just four months after the death of Periyar in December 1973.

Several factors contributed to the decline of the TRA. The formation of the TRC diminished the prominence of the TRA. Some key leaders departed from TRA to pursue other interests. The closure of Tamil Murasu for a year and disputes over the validity of TRA’s leadership elections damaged Sarangapany’s hold over TRA.  Finally, his death in 1974 led to TRA entering a period of inertia. After 30 years since Sarangapany's passing, TRA morphed into the Singapore Tamil Society in 2003.



For more information
Baskaran, Bala. Tamil Journalism in Singapore and Malaya (1875-1941) Filling Up the Gap. Unpublished Manuscript.
“Arrival in Singapore of an Indian Social Reformer,” Malayan Saturday Post, 28 December 1929, 5. (From Newspaper SG)
“Tamils’ Meeting,” The Straits Times, 31 May 1932, 17. (From Newspaper SG)
“Tamils Reform Association,” The Straits Times, 16 August 1932, 5. (From Newspaper SG)
“Tamils’ New Premises,” The Straits Times, 8 July 1935, 12. (From Newspaper SG)
“Singapore Tamils’ Affairs,” The Straits Times, 1 May 1936, 12. (From Newspaper SG)
“Tamils Reform Association,” Malaya Tribune, 7 July 1936, 7. (From Newspaper SG)
“Tamils Demand Removal of Toddy Shops,” Malaya Tribune, 15 February 1940, 5. (From Newspaper SG)
“Reformed Tamil Wedding,” Malaya Tribune, 24 February 1940, 14. (From Newspaper SG)
“Tamils Want Their Own Library,” The Straits Times, 17 April 1940, 11. (From Newspaper SG)
“Malayan Tamil Conference Here,” The Straits Times, 10 April 1941, 10. (From Newspaper SG)
“End Hindu Self Torture Say Tamil Reformers,” The Straits Times, 14 March 1950, 7. (From Newspaper SG)
“TRC Will Help You To Get Citizenship Here Centre Opened In Market St.,” Indian Daily Mail, 27 July 1954, 1. (From Newspaper SG)
“5,000 went to see him,” The Straits Times, 3 January 1955, 7. (From Newspaper SG)
“Tamil association leadership dispute goes to court,” The Straits Times, 21 March 1971, 12. (From Newspaper SG)
“Sarangapany lived for his newspaper and community,” The Straits Times, 30 June 1995, 29. (From Newspaper SG) 

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The information in this article is valid as of August 2025 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. If you have any feedback on this article, please submit here.