Tamils Representative Council

Thamizhar Pirathinithithuva Sabai (Tamils Representative Council, TRC) was inaugurated on 1 August 1951 by community leader G Sarangapany. Its main objective was to bring together diverse Tamil community organisations in Singapore under one umbrella and attend to their common needs. There were 38 affiliate organisations at the initial stage, and their primary focus was on education, the Tamil language and Tamil culture. In 1981, the organisation changed its name in Tamil to Thamizhar Peravai. However, in English, it retained its original name.

Currently, TRC coordinates some 30 Tamil organisations and continues to strive for the betterment of the Tamil community. To that end, it organises cultural, educational and community events that seek to provide new platforms or revitalise existing ones. TRC’s flagship event, the Annual National Day Dinner, brings the community together and fosters the Singapore spirit. Another major undertaking of TRC is the annual bursary programme, which enables the educational pursuits of the underprivileged. In 2019, to appeal to young Tamils, TRC inaugurated its youth wing, which focuses on active voluntarism through new perspectives and novel opportunities. One of TRC’s flagship programmes is the debate series it organises for primary schools. 

In 2021, at its 70th anniversary milestone, TRC recalibrated its vision: to develop and serve a forward-thinking and vibrant Tamil community. As part of its realignment process, in 2023, it decided to establish new strategic thrusts that would help it navigate the changing social, cultural, and national landscapes. In 2024, TRC launched Project Thunai to befriend and care for isolated Tamil-speaking seniors. Volunteers make house visits and phone calls to have chats and to check on their well-being. 



For more information
Tamils Representative Council. Accessed 1 August 2025. https://trc.org.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.