One Story: Dharma's Chariot - Photos

Streets & Places Photo Gallery

Get to see what Arab Street, North Bridge Road, and Market Street once looked like through these photos from the National Archives of Singapore. Palaniappan first sets up his textile business with Sivasu in 1964 at Market Street, before moving on to larger premises on Arab Street in the 1990s. You’ll even get to see what a kittengi on Market Street looks like – Sivasu gets his meals at a kittengi when he first arrives in Singapore.

Arab Street & North Bridge Road

Arab Street shophouses, 1963.
Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

North Bridge Road, with top of Sultan Mosque visible, 1979.
Paul Piollet Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

Shophouse along Arab Street at the junction of North Bridge Road, 1985.
Urban Redevelopment Authority Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

Tailoring shop on Arab Street, 1985.
Urban Redevelopment Authority Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

Arab Street, 1985.
Urban Redevelopment Authority, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

Textile stops along Arab Street, 1987.
Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

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Market Street

“All Palaniappan’s company consisted of at that time was just a rented corner on the premises of a larger Chinese company called ‘Chu Hwa Enterprises’ on Market Street. All he had was a small wooden desk, a telephone and a rectangular plastic sign on the table that said ‘New Light Enterprises’. Fifteen dollars rent. That was all. Palaniappan had been twenty-four years old then.” (page 15, Dharma’s Chariot)

“…Sivasu had wandered across the river to Market Street and had been taken in as a casual labourer in a warehouse belonging to a Chettiar. There was no salary. They gave him food at their kittengi, a cross between a kitchen and a dining hall.” (page 16, Dharma’s Chariot)

Market Street in the 1970s.
Chu Sui Mang Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

The building where the kittengi at 49 Market Street was located.
Nachiappa Chettiar Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

Doorway of the 49 Market Street kittengi which was managed by the Chettiar Cooperative Society, 1971.
Nachiappa Chettiar Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

A cook grinding some spcies at the cooking area instead the 49 Market Street Kittengi, 1970.
Nachiappa Chettiar Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

​ Updated 06 Jul 2020