Singai Varthamani

Singai Varthamani, launched in 1875, is considered to be the first Tamil periodical in Singapore.

In the absence of any surviving copies, its existence can only be confirmed through notices and articles in contemporary publications. The Singapore Observer published on 18 February 1876 a bilingual notice announcing the legal dissolution of the partnership between S K Magadum Sahib and N M Mohamed Abdulkadir Pulawar. According to the deed of dissolution signed on 29 December 1875, Sahib took over the Denodaya Press, while Pulawar retained the publication rights for the Tamil newspaper, Singai Varthamani (misspelt as DINGAVARTAMAM, see image).

From the notice, it can be observed that both Sahib and Pulawar were involved in the publication, likely as editor and publisher, although their specific roles are unclear. The frequency of publication is unknown, but given that Sahib later edited and published Tamil weeklies, including Jnanasurya and Singai Nesan, in the following decade, it is likely that Singai Varthamani was also a weekly.

About four months after the above mentioned bilingual notice, an article in The Straits Times on 18 June 1876 (see image) confirmed the issuance of the “first number of a new series” of Singai Varthamani (spelt as Singavartamaney) from 3 June 1876. The "tiny paper" of foolscap size was described as being neatly printed in clear type, featuring short editorials, weekly current prices, and bank exchange rates among other content. It is unclear if Pulawar himself edited the new paper.

A M Skinner, the Inspector of Schools for the Straits Settlements since 1872, wrote in his Education Report of 1876, “In connection with the subject of books, I may refer to the commencement, which has at last been made in Singapore of a Vernacular Press. A Tamil newspaper was first established about the middle of last year, but it was issued irregularly and consisted mainly of quarrelsome correspondence. It soon came to an end.” If this remark refers to Singai Varthamani, then the publication likely existed between mid-1875 and late 1876. The date of the paper’s closure is not known.



For more information
Baskaran, Bala. Tamil Journalism in Singapore and Malaya (1875-1941) Filling Up the Gap. Unpublished Manuscript
Wong, Francis Hoy Kee. Official Reports on Education: Straits Settlements and the Federated Malay States, 1870–1939. Singapore: Pan Pacific Book Distributors, 1980
“Page 2 Advertisements Column 1,” Straits Observer, 18 February 1876, 2. (From Newspaper SG)
“Friday, 9th June,” The Straits Times, 10 June 1876, 3. (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.