BREADCRUMBS A STORY OF SINGAPORE’S MONUMENTS
Dedicated to my friends who cared enough to leave a total of 183 missed calls when I fell asleep.
THE NATIONAL HERITAGE BOARD
The National Heritage Board (NHB) was formed on 1 August 1993 under the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA). Its mission is to foster nationhood, promote identity building, and champion the development of a vibrant cultural and heritage sector in Singapore. As the custodian of Singapore’s heritage, NHB is responsible for telling the Singapore story, sharing the Singaporean experience and imparting our Singapore spirit. Through the national collection, NHB curates heritage programmes and presents exhibitions to connect the past, present and future generations of Singaporeans through a shared experience. NHB manages the national monuments, Heritage Conservation Centre and Preservation of Monuments Board. Please visit www.nhb.gov.sg for more information.
CONTENT
04. About Breadcrumbs Why Breadcrumbs? What is Breadcrumbs all about? What can we benefit from Breadcrumbs publication?
06. Raffles Hotel Enjoy delicious high tea and learn more about the world’s famous Raffles Hotel!
15.
Masjid Sultan Mosque Learn more about one of the most significant mosques in Singapore!
25.
Sri Mariamman Temple Been to one of the oldest Hindu temples in Singapore? Be amazed by the wonderful details crafted on the Sri Mariamman Temple!
ABOUT BREADCRUMBS
Breadcrumbs is a publication that focuses on the wonders of Singapore’s national monuments using watercolor illustrations. It aims to educate Singaporeans and to foster nationhood, identity and creativity through heritage and cultural development.
Why Breadcrumbs? Hansel and Gretal left a trail of breadcrumbs to follow home. Just like the fairytale, this very publication uses breadcrumbs to leave a trail around the Singapore national monuments so that we’ll be able to find our way back there anytime!
The idea behind Breadcrumbs publication revolves around myself and Singapore’s national monuments. This publication is like my journal and sketchbook which I bring along wherever I go!
Basically, I’ll be sketching and watercoloring what I see and what I was attracted to. Therefore, this entire publication will be from my perspective. Not only that, it will also give you insights about the facts and history behind Singapore’s national monuments!
Using watercolor illustration was rather challenging as there were many illustrations to be done for this publication. However, I am still pleased with the outcome of the illustration and I hope you do enjoy it while you’re learning about Singapore’s National monuments! Do enjoy!
Story and illustrations by: Sheryl Yap
RAFFLES HOTEL 1887
Sketch and watercolor of the hotel’s window. Had to zoom in from one of the pictures that I took using the DSLR! February 11th, Chinese New Year holiday
Raffles Hotel is a Singapore landmark located at 1 Beach Road. It was established in 1887 by the Armenian brothers from Persia, named the Sarkies brothers. The hotel was named after Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore. It was designed by the architect, Regent Alfred John Bidwell and the construction was completed in 1899.
With the Sarkies brothers extensive effort and passion, the hotel continued to expand over the years with the many additions of hotel amenities, The Sarkies brothers developed and paid for the modernisation which eventually led the colonial-era hotel well known for its period architecture, decor, luxurious accomodation and fine cuisine.
Sketch of Raffles hotel entrance roof top on February 11th, Chinese New Year Holiday. Breadcrumbs / 07
Arshak Sarkie Raffles hotel first started with a name entitled Beach House that was a private home built by Robert Scott in the early 1830s. In 1878, Dr Charles Emmerson leased the building and opened Emmerson’s Hotel. Not soon after, he passed away, leaving the hotel closed until the Raffles Boarding School took up tenancy until September 1887.
Martin Sarkie The Armenian Brothers then leased Beach House from from Arab merchant Syed Mohammed Alsagoff. The Armenian Brothers had an intention to build a hotel offering fine accomodation and cuisine. On December 1st, 1887, Raffles Hotel opened with a 10-room hotel. Its prime sea-front location near town made it very popular with European residents and travellers.
Raffles Hotel was established in 1887 by the Armenian brothers from Persia, named the Sarkies brothers.
Breadcrumbs / 08
Aviet Sarkie During the World War 2, Raffles Hotel was occupied by the Japanese and was renamed “Syonan Ryokan” which means light of the south”. The hotel was not only used as a transit camp for prisoners of war but also the quarters for senior Japanese miliatary officers. During the Great Depression, the hotel had to overcome challenges such as the changing political, economic and social circumstances. The Singapore government actively promoted tourism to earn revenue ever since the British
Tigran Sarkie colonial administration withdrew. Raffles hotel became a tourist attraction due to its strong reputation as a historic hotel. By the 1970s, some of the hotel’s former glory had faded and some of its buildings had to be refurbished. Due to large-scale restoration that lasted two years, Raffles Hotel was closed and reopened on 16 September 1991. The hotel was then labelled as a national monument in 3 June 1995.
The palm logo was inspired by the ubiquitous Traveller’s Palm.
Breadcrumbs / 09
Sketch of Raffles View from across the road. Drawn on February 11th, Chinese New Year Holiday.
Sketch of Raffle’s Hotel Courtyard on February the 11th. During the Chinese New Year holiday.
Upon exploring Raffles Hotel, I encountered and chanced upon Raffles’ well known courtyard. At the center of an area, I spotted a statue that resembled Sir Stamford Raffles. Apparently, the statue was built to commemorate Sir Stamford Raffles who was the founder of Singapore.
Breadcrumbs / 12
Architecture is an act that reaches out for the truth.
MASJID SULTAN 1820
To start off the day, I’ve decided to have some toast and milo along one of the coffeeshops at Muscat Street. The set costs about $2.50. Breadcrumbs everywhere!
Grateful that I brought a chilled snapple bottle and a packet of milo with me today. The weather is tremendously humid! Breadcrumbs / 16
Sketch and watercolor of two Imams taking a break at the window and enjoying the scenery on February the 10th. Chinese New Year Holiday. The Sultan Mosque is situated at the focal point of the historic Kampong Glam area at 3 Muscat Street. Also known as Masjid Sultan, the mosque was named for Sultan Hussein Shah. The mosque was first built in the 1820s. However, to make way for the current building, the original structure was demolised and torn down about a century later. The current building was completed in 1932. The Masjid Sultan mosque is considered a national monument in Singapore and is one of the mosques that holds a great significance for the Muslim Community.
Sketch of the mosque’s open window on February the 10th, during the Chinese New Year holiday. Breadcrumbs / 17
Sketch of the Masjid Sultan Mosque. February 10th, Chinese New Year Holiday Really amazed by the structure and construction of this mosque. The mosque was constructed in phases.
The Sultan mosque first started in the 1800s, when an agreement was made between Sir Stamford Raffles and Sultan Hussein to allow the British to establish a trading post on the island. A mosque was then requested by Hussein to be built near his Istana. By 1828, the mosque was completed leaving a single-storey building with a doubletiered roof. The mosque received gifts of lands by Tunku Alam, Sultan Hussein’s grandson and Tunku Aleem, an unknown benefactor. In 1879, Tunku Alam, Sultan Hussein’s grandson, appointed a five-man committee to look after the mosque which was eventually replaced by 12 trusees in 1914.
Sketch and watercolor of a symbol on the mosque. Breadcrumbs / 20
Sketch and watercolor of the entrace of the Masjid Sultan Mosque. By 1924, the mosque was at the age of about a 100 years old and the trustees decided suggested building a bigger mosque. The mosque was completed in 1932 and still stands today.
What is most fascinating about the Masjid Sultan mosque has got to be the features of it. The mosque has two golden onion domes above the east and west facades, each topped by pinnacles with crescent moons and stars. Glass bottles ends that the sultan had collected as donations from the poor muslims are ornamented at the base of each dome. The roof parapet is edged with merlon cresting. On each corner of the mosque are minarets with staircases that lead up to calling towers with balconies. The west facade of the mosque facing North Bridge road is arranged to be the entrance to the mausoleum of Tunku Alam who sadly died in 1891. His remains were buried beneath the dome.
Sketch and watercolor of the gate of the Masjid Sultan Mosque. Breadcrumbs / 21
Along the streets, there were different shops selling souvenirs, clothes and food. This was one of the sketches that I did of a souvenir shop that I chanced upon along the streets. It was left uncompleted due to the rain at Muscat Street. Around the corner, I stopped by a malay food store and ordered a Nasi Padang that was to be shared among my parents and myself. The total meal costs about $12 and it was really tasty! Many pigeons were flying about that particular malay food store. Breadcrumbs / 22
Architecture arouses sentiments in men, the architects task, therefore, is to make those sentiments more precise.
SRI MARIAMMAN 1827
As I approached the temple, what caught my attention first was the large wooden door that led to the temple as it was crafted with many details. It made me wonder how long it took for the craftsmen to execute such amazing works of art.
A ticket I bought from a counter at the entrance inside the Sri Mariamman temple. It was a ticket that allowed me to take pictures around the temple. It costs about $3. Visitors and tourists without this ticket were not allowed to take pictures of the temple.
The Sri Mariamman Temple is situated at 244 South Bridge Road. Being one of the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore, it was established in 1827 by an Indian pioneer, Naraina Pillai. The temple became a national monument on 28 June 1973.
In 1918, Pillai migrated to Singapore and suffered a great business loss when a fire destroyed his shop at Cross street. With the help of Sir Stamford Raffles, he revived his business and to show his gratitude, built the temple dedicated to the goddess Mariamman, curer of diseases, in 1827. The temple was constructed by Indian and Chinese craftsmen.
Breadcrumbs / 26
As I entered the temple, there were ritual and praying sessions going on. Many Hindus were sitted on the floor, some with their families and some alone, their eyes all on the Pandit (temple priest) as he performs puja.
Further down, I came across an incense bowl placed on the floor. There was a mixture of flowers and orange powder in the bowl. The ingredients that are in the bowl, I assume, determines the smell.
Breadcrumbs / 27
Around the corner, I chanced upon a huge container look alike that has a fairly huge tap above it. At first there wasn’t any liquid flowing out of it. However, after a while, yellow liquid began flowing out of the tap. Few moments later, a Hindu women took out a container and began filling it with the yellow liquid. I asked her what it was for and apparently it was used for bathing and to bring good luck.
Breadcrumbs / 28
Sketch and watercolor of a Hindu God and his two horses. February 11th, Chinese New Year. The Sri Mariamman temple does not only provide an important place of worship for Hindus, they also served as a refuge for new immigrants especially South Indian Tamil Hindus. The temple provide them shelter until they find a job and a proper permanent accomadation. In the past, only the priest of the Sri Mariamman temple was authorized to solemnize Hindu marriages in Singapore. Fortunately today, the temple includes mass educational activities and religious service.
As I was exploring the temple, I noticed this particular statue of a God and two horses. The colors and details that was incorporated onto the statue amazed me. There was a contrast in colors which attracts the tourists’ attention.
Breadcrumbs / 29
Sketch and watercolor of a Hindu God. A Hindu God that caught my attention on one of the roofs of the building. I love how every color used on the statues and buildings are in contrast with each other to enhance its beauty and to attract the tourist and visitors.
I actually used a camera and zoomed in onto the Hindu God and took a picture. When I went home and zoomed in onto the pictures, I was really fascinated by the amount of details they have.
Every detail of the statue is cautiously I am really amazed with how well and detailed they crafted the Gods. crafted. As the statue of the HIndu God is situated on the top of the roof,
Breadcrumbs / 30
Sketch and watercolor of a Hindu God inside a sheltered room. February 11th, Chinese New Year. Breadcrumbs / 31
REFERENCES
01.
Tan.J, (u.d). Raffles Hotel, singapore infopedia. Retrieved on February, 23rd, 2013, from http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_37_2005-01-05.html
02.
Tan.J, (u.d). Sultan Mosque, singapore infopedia. Retrieved on February,
02.
Tan.J, (u.d). Sri Mariamman Temple, singapore infopedia. Retrieved on
23rd, 2013, from http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_753_2005-01-03.html
February, 23rd, 2013, from http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_778_200412-23.html
The mother art is architecture, without architecture of our own, we have no soul of our own civilisation.
CONTACT DETAILS Name: Sheryl Yap Number: 96328833 Job Name: Breadcrumbs
BOOKLET INFO Quantity: 38 pages Flat size: 148mm x 210mm Finsihed size:148mm x 210mm Text paper stock: 140gsm, uncoated, Maple Bright. 140gsm, uncoated, Maple White (3 sheets of paper) Binding methods: Perfect binding Print process: 4C x 4C Color Proof: CMYK Artwork Format: HighRes PDF, InDesign CS5.5 Mac Typeface: Futura Medium Condensed (title), DIN Regular (text), Brown (side text)