What did Naraina Pillai contribute to Singapore?

The pioneer of Singapore’s Indian community A pioneer of Singapore’s Indian community, Naraina Pillai first arrived on our shores in 1819, together with Sir Stamford Raffles. Truly one of the founding fathers of our nation, he started Singapore’s first brick company and became the first Indian building contractor here.

Where did Naraina Pillai come from?

Narayana Pillai was a social entrepreneur and businessman, who spent most of his life in Singapore during the colonial period. Of Tamil origins, he greatly contributed to the Tamil community in Singapore. Prior to 1819, Pillai (also spelled Narayana Pillay) worked in Penang, which was ruled by the British.

When was Naraina Pillai born?

1798, Malacca, Malaysia–d. 24 February 1850, Singapore) was an entrepreneur and philanthropist of The Raffles Library and Museum building at Stamford Road was officially opened on 12 October 1887.

What was Mr Narayana Pillay’s contribution to the early Hindu community in Singapore?

Naraina Pillai (also known as Narayana Pillay) was the first Tamil on record to have arrived in Singapore. He came with Sir Stamford Raffles during Raffles’ second visit here in May 1819. Pillai settled in Singapore and established many businesses, also building Singapore’s first Hindu temple, the Sri Mariamman Temple.

Where does the name Pillai come from?

Indian (Tamil Nadu): Hindu name found in several communities of Tamil Nadu, from Tamil pi? l? lai ‘son’, ‘lad’.

When was Sri Mariamman temple built?

1827
The temple dates back to 1827, when it was known as Mariamman Kovil or Kling Chapel. Established by Indian pioneer Naraina Pillai, the original wood-and-attap structure was built by immigrants from the Nagapatnam and Cuddalore districts of South India.

What does Pillai mean?

Prince
Pillai, meaning Prince, is a title of nobility which can either refer to a ruling chief, members of the nobility, or junior princes of the royal family historically ranked immediately below the king.

What kind of name is Pillai?

Pillai or Pillay is a surname found among the Malayalam and Tamil-speaking people of India and Sri Lanka.

Why do Singaporeans worship the Sri Mariamman Hindu temple?

From its inception, Sri Mariamman Temple served as a refuge for new immigrants, particularly South Indian Tamil Hindus. Besides providing an important place of worship for these immigrants, the temple granted them shelter until they found work and more permanent accommodation.

Which is the oldest Hindu temple in the world?

Mundeshwari Temple
It is an ancient temple dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva and Shakti and is considered one of the oldest functional Hindu temples in India….

Which caste is Panicker?

Panicker is an ethnic group belonging to the Hindu religion, who live in the South Malabar and central parts of the Indian state of Kerala. They were well known as the masters of Kalari tradition, having their Nalpatheeradi Kalari (name derived from its area of 42 x 21 feet).

What did Naraina Pillai do as a job?

Pillai began as chief clerk at the treasury, or shroff, where he checked coins for authenticity. When the Resident’s shroff arrived from Malacca, Pillai was discharged.

When did Naraina Pillai first come to Singapore?

Naraina (Narayana)1 Pillai (Pillay) first came to Singapore in May 1819 together with Stamford Raffles.2 Attracted by Raffles’s persuasive ideals of Singapore, Pillai left Penang, Malaysia only to find he had to start from scratch. Pillai began as chief clerk at the treasury, or shroff, where he checked coins for authenticity.

Where did Sir Stamford Raffles first meet Naraina Pillai?

When Sir Stamford Raffles first met Naraina Pillai, the Indian national was working as a government clerk in British-ruled Penang, Malaysia. Raffles shared with Pillai his ideas of Singapore as a new settlement.