Alex Abisheganaden
Alex Abisheganaden | |
|---|---|
| அலெக்ஸாண்டர் எஸ். அபிஷேகநாதன் | |
 Abisheganaden in 1988 | |
| Born | Alexander S. Abisheganaden 13 January 1926 |
| Died | 17 March 2023 (aged 97) St Luke's Hospital, Singapore |
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist Bassist |
| Spouse | Eileen Wong |
| Children | 2; including Jacintha |
| Relatives | Paul Abisheganaden (older brother) |
| Awards | Pingat Bakti Setia, 1981 Cultural Medallion, 1988 |
Alexander S. Abisheganaden (Tamil: அலெக்ஸாண்டர் எஸ். அபிஷேகநாதன்; 31 January 1926 – 17 March 2023) was a Singaporean classical guitarist and double bassist. Regarded as "the most important guitarist in Singapore history", Abisheganaden was also an educator and was the Inspector of Schools from 1964 to 1981 for the Ministry of Education (MOE).[1] In 1988, he received the Cultural Medallion award for Music.[2]
Early life
[edit]Abisheganaden was born on 31 January 1926, the sixth of seven children to Arputhnathan Abisheganaden, an immigrant from Tamil Nadu who worked for the then-British-occupied Singapore government, and Elizabeth Abisheganaden, who came from a rich Tamil family from Penang.[3]
He and his family lived at government quarters at Buffalo Road, next to KK Women's and Children's Hospital facing Farrer Park. Abisheganaden was influenced by music from a young age, due to his father's morning routine of praying and singing in the morning.[3]
When he was six, he was asked to sing and perform at a variety show at New World Amusement Park. After the show, Abisheganaden participated in more performances and also performed at his school, St. Andrews. When World War II started, blackouts were frequent and during those times, Abisheganaden spent his time practicing the guitar with his brother, Gerard.[3]
After World War II, Abisheganaden completed his Senior Cambridge examinations (now known as O-Levels) and began a career in teaching.[4] In 1961, he studied music in England.[5]
Career
[edit]In 1964, Abisheganaden worked at MOE as an Inspector of Schools and was eventually asked to look over the Music Unit of the ministry. During the Japanese occupation, Abisheganaden learnt Japanese and Japanese songs.[6] After hearing his singing, he was recommended to the Syonan Broadcasting Station, where he sang and taught Japanese songs.[7]
When Subhas Chandra Bose began the Indian independence movement, they set up a broadcasting station, Azad-Hind Radio Station, in Singapore at Cathay Building. Abisheganaden was involved with the station as a member of a five-person band.[8]
In the 1970s, Abisheganaden was commissioned by then-Minister for Education Goh Keng Swee to make a 26-episode long television show about the guitar titled Music Making With The Guitar.[9] It ran from 1970 to 1971.[10]
Abisheganaden founded the Singapore Classical Guitar Society and the National University of Singapore Guitar Ensemble (GENUS) in 1967[11] and 1981 respectively.[12] In 1981, Abisheganaden was awarded the Pingat Bakti Setia on National Day.[13] In 1988, Abisheganaden was awarded the Cultural Medallion for Music.[2]
In 2005, he appeared in director Tan Pin Pin's documentary Singapore GaGa, alongside harmonica player Yew Hong Chow.[7]
Death
[edit]Abisheganaden died at St Luke's Hospital on 17 March 2023.[7] He is survived by his wife Eileen Wong and children Peter and Jacintha Abisheganaden.
References
[edit]- ^ "Singapore's 'Godfather of guitar' Alex Abisheganaden dies". Channel News Asia. 17 March 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ a b Tang, K. F. (1 March 1989). "Top artistes relax to get their ideas". The Straits Times. p. 1. Retrieved 2 March 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ a b c Lum, Magdalene (3 October 1993). "Look, it's Alex – in a dress". The Straits Times. p. 4. Retrieved 2 March 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ Tan, Beng Luan (9 March 1995). "Oral History Interview". National Archives of Singapore. p. 2. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "Sharing and giving". New Nation. 20 December 1981. pp. 16–17. Retrieved 2 March 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ Tan, Beng Luan (9 March 1994). "ABISHEGANADEN, Alex". National Archives of Singapore. pp. 21–22. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
- ^ a b c Yong, Clement; Lim, Charmaine (17 March 2023). "'Good night, Uncle Alex': Father of Singapore guitar Alex Abisheganaden dies at 97". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
- ^ Tan, Beng Luan (9 March 1994). "ABISHEGANADEN, Alex". National Archives of Singapore. pp. 23–24. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
- ^ Zhang, He Yang (18 March 2023). "新加坡文化奖得主阿比什甘那丹（Alex Abisheganaden）去世" [Alex Abisheganaden, Singapore Culture Award winner, dies]. Lianhe Zaobao (in Chinese). Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "THE ABC OF GUITAR PLAYING —ON TV—". The Straits Times. 19 September 1970. p. 5. Retrieved 4 March 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ Pereira, Alexius (6 November 1992). "Guitar man". The Straits Times. p. 12. Retrieved 2 March 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ National University of Singapore (24 March 2023). "The Teacher, The Musician, The Legend: A Tribute to Singapore's "Father of the Guitar" Mr Alex Abisheganaden (1926-2023)". National University of Singapore. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "Long Service awards". The Straits Times. 12 August 1981. p. 11. Retrieved 5 March 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
