Solamalay Namasivayam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
S. Namasivayam
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| Born |
Namasivayam S/O K. A. Solamalay
6 May 1926 Madras, India
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| Died | December 5, 2013 (aged 87) Singapore
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| Nationality | Singapore |
| Education | National Art School (formerly East Sydney Technical College) |
| Known for | Figurative art, figure drawing, figure painting |
S. Namasivayam was a well-known artist, teacher, and educator from Singapore. He was especially good at drawing and painting people. He also helped start an important art group called Group 90. Namasivayam played a big part in developing art that focuses on human figures in Singapore.
Contents
Early Life and Discovering Art
S. Namasivayam was born in India in 1926. He was the oldest of nine children. When he was five, he moved to Malaya (now Malaysia) with his mother. They joined his father, who worked for the Central Electricity Board.
Namasivayam started school in Kuala Lumpur. A British engineer noticed his talent and suggested he go to a government school. There, he found his love for art. His teachers saw his natural skill and encouraged him a lot.
In 1939, he went to Victoria Institution for high school. He became known for always sketching. He drew constantly between classes and was excellent in his art lessons.
War Years and Resilience
In 1942, World War II reached Southeast Asia. This stopped Namasivayam's education. His father was moved to Butterworth by the Japanese. Namasivayam studied at a Japanese school for 18 months.
Later, he worked as an engine mechanic at a Japanese-controlled railway station. In 1943, when he was 17, he was made to work as a translator. This was for the difficult Thailand-Burma Railway. He faced many challenges and saw terrible things during this time.
After the war ended in 1945, he traveled back to Malaya. He reunited with his family, who had thought he was gone forever. He went back to Victoria Institution to finish school. He also started drawing again, mostly landscapes with pencil and watercolor. In 1947, he finished his exams. He then worked as a laboratory assistant at an oil palm company.
Becoming a Teacher and Artist
In 1950, Namasivayam moved to Singapore. He joined the Teachers' Training College. He became a trainee teacher at Tanjong Rhu Primary School. In 1954, he earned his teaching diploma. He then taught at several primary schools.
At Trafalgar Primary School, he got his first chance to teach art. The principal, Ms Tan Chee Chee, let him create the school's art program. With his guidance, his students won first place in art competitions. These were held at Victoria Memorial Hall. In 1956, he traveled to India for an arranged marriage. He returned to Singapore with his wife, Lakshmi, and continued teaching.
Art Scholarship and Later Career
In 1957, Mr. Namasivayam's skill in teaching art was noticed. Mr. Goh Kong Beng, president of the Singapore Teachers' Union, suggested him for an art scholarship in Australia. He first said no, but other teachers encouraged him to accept.
Namasivayam received the Colombo Plan Scholarship award to study art. Four other trainee teachers also received this award. He left for Sydney on March 11, 1957. He returned to Singapore in August 1961 after graduating.
Back in Singapore, he taught at schools like Crescent Girls' School and Gan Eng Seng School. He was promoted to Lecturer at the Teachers' Training College. Later, he became a Senior Media Specialist at the Ministry of Education. After retiring in 1987, he was invited to teach art at the LASALLE College of the Arts.
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S. Namasivayam
