Singai Nesan (1887-1890), a weekly magazine, appeared during a period when there were no Tamil magazines in Singapore, filling a significant gap. It provided news and articles in simple language, catering to the public's reading needs. Singai Nesan gained considerable fame in the Tamil literary world due to a controversial claim that it published the first Tamil short story in the world.
Published every Monday, Singai Nesan followed a four-page format with four columns per page. The magazine was printed and published by S K Magadum Sahib at his Denodaya Press. Over the course of approximately three years, 151 issues were released, each selling around 350 copies. Singai Nesan encompassed a wide range of features, including articles, editorials, book introductions, and advertisements, as well as news from Singapore, India, Sri Lanka, and the rest of the world. Additionally, letters from readers were also published. Unfortunately, due to mounting arrears in subscription payments, the magazine ceased publication in 1890.
In the 1990s, researcher Na. Govindasamy argued that the first ever Tamil short story was written and published in Singai Nesan. This claim sparked controversy and significantly boosted the magazine's reputation within the Tamil literary community. Singai Nesan stands as a valuable resource for researchers, offering a contemporary record of various aspects of 19th-century Tamil life in Singapore, including livelihood, health, entertainment, and transportation. All issues of Singai Nesan are available in electronic format on the National Library Board's NewspaperSG website, serving as a treasure trove for those interested in exploring this historical period.
For more information
Badariah Binte Abdul Lathif. Sahib’s Singai Nesan (1887–1890): A Tamil Voice in 19th Century Colonial Singapore. Bachelor’s thesis, Department of History, National University of Singapore, 2015–2016. Unpublished
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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.
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