I used to visit Edwin at his simple, linked home near Newton Circus and enjoyed many a home-cooked meal, with his mother showering affection on us and his siblings showing a curious interest in me. Edwin too visited and stayed with me in Penang and his affection and regard for me was expressed when he gave me a book entitled Religions of Ancient Ancient India by Louis Renou, inscribed with the words, ‘To Jeyaraj, who is a little India in a mired up place, Malaya’. He also gave me two original, antique bronze heads of Buddha which he said he picked up in Ayutthaya or was it Angkor Wat, when he went there on a tour with university mates. Often, he used to ‘squat’ with me when he ceased to stay in the hostel.

Edwin had a real presence and moved through the Dunearn Road Hostel and the lecture halls on a high plane of intellect. He engaged all his friends with sharp wit and showed an unyielding stance when it came to discussing the vital role of socialism and the need to win freedom. He showed no taint of arrogance and had kindness and grace that were born of his goodness, intellect and love for humanity. His patient and pleasing personality won him many friends and even admiration from some. His memory was profound and prodigious; he could quote almost any verse from any of the Romantic poets with delight, while he alone seemed to be well versed with the modern poets.

Edwin, in his twenties, was an ardent young man hoping to fashion and welcome the new world of equality and liberty. He was a strong member of the Socialist Club promoting the concept that through understanding the historical process of the changing world, and through intelligent participation and action, the new world of idealism and promise could be created. I still believed that Edwin has not lost these high ideals although he may now deny being a socialist. The need for universal fellowship and understanding and concern for human beings are expressed in many of his poems and continue to reflect these, his inherent, feelings.

96 Impressions:You are a special spine to many things

Singapore Literary Heritage Series- Edwin Thumboo

A Select Annotated Bibliography

Once in a while, there comes a person with inspiring insight, acuteness of vision and a keen sense of adventure. Professor Edwin Thumboo is one such individual who personifies all

these qualities and more. Driven by a sense of mission and service, he is someone who translates the imaginary into reality and throughout his illustrious career, has advanced the cause of literary education at the highest level. A leading poet of Singapore and an ardent champion of the arts, Prof Thumboo is also an eminent scholar highly respected by members of the university community here and abroad. Above all, he is a great friend – kind and gracious – and these endearing qualities have made our interactions of close to 30 years, warm and highly valued.

The First Meeting I first met Thumboo when he was newly-appointed as Dean of the

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) in 1980. I had then just joined the University as Assistant Bursar in the Bursar’s Office,

which today is known as Office of Finance. We met at a welcome tea-session that the Vice-Chancellor regularly hosts for new staff. Prof Thumboo was there in his capacity as Dean. I got to know him better when I was appointed, along with Mr Wee Hian King (Principal Assistant to VC), and Mr Roy Higgs (Assistant Registrar), as member of a review team in 1981 to review the organisation and work procedures within the University Administration. In the course of the review, we had to meet with the deans and heads on their academic work and responsibilities, and explore how we could lighten the administrative workload of academics.

A Man ForAll SeasonsBy Eswaran Sukumar

These views, he put across even more forcefully when the draft Review Report was discussed at a specially convened meeting by then Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lim Pin. I recall that he referred to the business principles conveyed in the draft Report which he thought were more suitable for a non-University structure. He spoke frankly when he said that the role of the administration in the University was to support the academic machinery. I was impressed. Staying true to his conviction, Prof Thumboo articulated what he considered to be the concerns of the academic departments. Needless to say, he was reassured by Prof Lim Pin that there would be no interference with academic functions in implementing the modified administrative structure for University Administration, as proposed in the Report.

Prof Thumboo was bold and forthright in expressing his views. He was not sceptical of bureaucrats but of bureaucratic behaviour.

The author and Prof Thumboo taking in the sights at the Srirangapatna Fort while working ona working trip to the historic South Indian city of Mysore in 2002.

I had the privilege of working closely with Prof Thumboo when I was appointed Principal Assistant to Vice-Chancellor Prof Lim Pin in 1982. By then, as Dean of FASS, Prof Thumboo had implemented many new initiatives in the Faculty, oversaw revision of curricular of various disciplines that made up the Faculty and had introduced new programmes such as Japanese Studies, Psychology, Linguistics, European Studies and Mass Communications. The fortnightly Vice-Chancellor’s meetings with the deans and senior administrators – for which I acted as Secretary and used to put together the agenda, the papers, do the minutes and follow-up – was a highly enriching and educational experience for me. Through these regular meetings and interactions over a period of almost 10 years, my admiration for him grew even greater.

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences took pride of place in Prof Thumboo’s heart. He placed great trust in his heads-of-departments, faculty and staff, respected their competence, laid down his expectations and outcomes clearly and left it to them to carry out their various responsibilities. He also fostered a supportive and enabling environment that was very much student-oriented. In short, he embodied excellence. For his sterling academic leadership and scholarly work, he was conferred the highest academic honour – the title of Emeritus Professor in 1997.

Stepping down as Dean after almost 10 years, Prof Thumboo focused his attention on setting the direction for the arts and culture to thrive on campus.

It was at the CFA that I had the unique opportunity to observe Prof Thumboo at close quarters – as a boss, a gentleman and as a friend. I was posted to the CFA in 1999 as General Manager with Prof Thumboo as its Director. For me, it was an exhilarating experience working with someone with extraordinary talents and passion to match. He was the best mentor that any officer in the University’s Administrative Service could wish for.

Under his skilful stewardship, the Centre for the Arts (CFA) blossomed into a multi-faceted arts centre. He set the tone and pace for the development not only of the performing arts, but also the literary and visual arts.

218 Expressions : Essays on his works Singapore Literary Heritage Series- Edwin Thumboo

A Select Annotated Bibliography

BibliographyYou will be here, expanding, when we have gone…