Jan–Mar 2023

In the 1950s and 1960s, Cathay-Keris and Shaw Brothers produced many films that became classics. In the cover story, find out how the Asian Film Archive managed to restore some of these films.

Director's Note

Repairing and Restoring Singapore’s Reel Heritage
The Asian Film Archive has been restoring classic Malay films by Cathay-Keris and Shaw since 2014. Chew Tee Pao. (PDF)

Singapore’s Stone Tools
Stone tools have been found in and around Singapore since the late 19th century. Foo Shu Tieng. (PDF)

The Origin Stories of Keramat Kusu
Pilgrimages to the keramat on Kusu Island began in the 1840s, though stories about the people associated with the shrines have changed over time. William L. Gibson. (PDF)

Subaraj Rajathurai: A Voice for the Wild
A gentle giant with a larger-than-life personality, Subaraj Rajathurai helped to save Singapore’s green spaces. Benjamin Ho. (PDF)

“Book City” in Two Streets: The Chinese Bookstore Scene in Postwar Singapore
Chinese bookstores in Singapore underwent transformational change in the postwar period. Lee Ching Seng. (PDF)

Maiden Lim of Redhill and Her Sisters: Taoist Folk Goddesses of Singapore
The local Taoist pantheon includes goddesses only found in Singapore such as Lin Guniang, Lei Niangniang and Huang Guniang. Ng Yi-Sheng. (PDF)

The Divine Lance: Thaipusam and Murugan Worship in Singapore
The specific form of Murugan worship during Thaipusam has its roots in the story of Murugan meeting the primeval devotee Idumban. Nalina Gopal.(PDF)

In Their Own Voices: Preparing for War in Singapore
Before the fall of Singapore in 1942, people prepared for the imminent war by stockpiling food, building air raid shelters and volunteering in civil defence units. Christabel Khoo and Mark Wong. (PDF)

New Books on Singapore History
A quick look at four new books available in the National Library’s collection. (PDF)