IHFS Management Council – S A Nathanji

INSPIRATION OF INDIAN HERITAGE IN SINGAPORE 2026

IHFS EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

BRIEF OVERVIEW

1) Member/Exco-Member of PAP since 1959 to date and was presented with the prestigious Gold Medal Award in 2021 by former Dy PM Heng Sweet Kiat.

2) Founding President, Indian Movie News Readers Club (1960 -1980).

3) Hon General Secretary of Public Utilities Board (PUB) Recreation Club 1974 – 1976

4) Publisher/Managing Editor of the only household magazine in South East Asia, Indian Movie News Magazine (1987 -2017).

5) Organised outstanding Mega Shows with Top-most Kollywood stars such as Sivaji Ganesan, Superstar Rajinikanth, Mega Star Kamalhaasan, Music Maestro llayaraja & others which were unparalleled in the history of Indian Cinema.

6) President, Singapore Indian Association (1981 -1983).

7) Executive Producer, IMN Films Pte Ltd (1995 – 2001).

8 a) Author – My Memoirs: My Unbelievable Journey with Indian Cinema (2014), (320 pages -Hard cover).

8 b) Author – Singapore: Nation Building & Indians Legacy (2017) (484pages – Hard cover) sponsored by National Heritage Board (NHB)

9) Commissioned & honoured by the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA), for completing an elaborate article on the Singapore-made Tamil movie “NinaithaleInikkum” (1979) in conjunction with SG50 (2015) celebrations.

10) Executive Producer, Visual Beatz Pte Ltd (2019 – present).

11) Founding President, Indian Hall of Fame, Singapore (IHFS) (2019- present). Organized awards events in 2020, 2022, and 2024, along with the SG60 Awards 2025. Among those who were honoured and inducted into the IHFS are: the first Indian who set foot in Singapore pioneer Narayana Pillai, former presidents Devan Nair, S R Nathan, former senior minister S Dhanabalan, former Ambassadors, entrepreneurs, distinguished top public service officers, lawyers, doctors, engineers etc. For details, visit our website https://indianhalloffame.sg

KEY ROLE IN POLITICS

Nathanji’s political journey commenced in 1959 when he joined the People’s Action Party (PAP). Following the 1959 general elections, he was appointed as a member of the PAP Bukit Merah Executive Committee. His unwavering dedication to the PAP was recognized in 1964 when he was selected to lead the Malacca branch’s Indian division during the Malaysian General Elections. This experience allowed him to collaborate closely with prominent PAP leaders such as Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, S. Rajaratnam (the first Cultural and Foreign Minister), Othman Wok (Social Affairs Minister), and Chua Sian Chin (Home Affairs Minister). His enduring commitment was honored in 2021, when he received the PAP’s Gold Medal Award from former Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Kiat, acknowledging his significant contributions to both the party and the nation.

FIRST READERS CLUB IN THE REGION

An avid reader of the household magazine Indian Movie News, Nathanji established the Indian Movie News Readers’ Club in Singapore in 1960. The club rapidly gained popularity, not only focusing on film appreciation but also engaging youth in various social and cultural initiatives. Nathanji organized numerous events aimed at fostering community spirit, awareness, and self-improvement among Indian youth—these included social gatherings, charity drives, and cultural showcases. A notable milestone was the hosting of Singapore’s inaugural Deepavali Queen Contest in 1967 at the Victoria Theatre, where Miss Impaljit Kaur from Sabah was crowned. This event celebrated local talent and attracted participants and audiences from both Malaysia and Singapore, evolving into an annual highlight for the community.

HON GENERAL SECRETARY OF PUBLIC UTILITIES BOARD (PUB) RECREATION CLUB (1974 – 1976)

During the construction of the club building at Woodleigh Park, Nathanji, a dedicated staff member of the Public Utilities Board (PUB), was elected as the General Secretary of the Management Committee. At that time, he and his family resided next door to the clubhouse at 68 Woodleigh Park. This prime location allowed him to closely monitor the progress of the building’s development. Upon its completion, Nathanji officially received the keys to the clubhouse and its various facilities as a representation of his role as General Secretary. Among these facilities was the warehouse at MacRitchie Reservoir, where the kayak boats were stored.

After serving a two-year term, Nathanji stepped down from the Management Committee. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in fostering a welcoming environment, as membership to the club was made available to all ten thousand employees of the PUB.

INDIAN MOVIE NEWS MAGAZINE

In 1987, Nathanji acquired the rights to Indian Movie News, a household magazine originally launched in 1952 by cinema mogul Runme Shaw of Shaw Organization of Southeast Asia & Hong Kong. Under Nathanji’s stewardship as publisher and managing editor, the magazine flourished, becoming a cultural cornerstone for Indian movie aficionados in Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Cherished by its readership and respected within the Indian cinema community, the magazine earned commendations for its quality and relevance. Nathanji made frequent trips to Bollywood and Kollywood, amassing first- hand news and cultivating relationships with top stars, especially in South Indian cinema. These connections enabled him to bring celebrated personalities—often reluctant to perform live—onto the stage for fans in Singapore and Malaysia, creating unforgettable experiences for the community.

MEGA STAGE SHOWS & KOLLYWOOD STARS

Leveraging his extensive network within the film industry, Nathanji organized several mega stage shows in the 1990s & 2000s that showcased superstar actors from Kollywood. These extraordinary events highlighted his personal friendships with legendary figures such as Sivaji Ganesan, Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, and music maestro Ilayaraja. These performances offered fans in Singapore and Malaysia a rare chance to see their idols live on stage, setting an unprecedented standard for future shows. To this day, no other events have matched the scale of these performances featuring such iconic stars. These shows not only delivered entertainment but also fostered a deep sense of community among Indian film enthusiasts, creating memories that resonate to this day. Distinguished guests included Gemini Ganesan, Padmini, Kushboo, Radhika, Revathy, Vikram, Madhavan, Jyothika, producer G. Venkateswaran, director R. Ravi Kumar, and Prabhu Deva—often hailed as the “Michael Jackson of India.” Moreover, Nathanji generously donated a significant portion of the proceeds to community organizations such as SINDA and the Tamil Murasu Needy Family Fund.

SINGAPORE INDIAN ASSOCIATION

Nathanji joined the Singapore Indian Association in the mid-1970s as an ordinary member, eventually assuming the presidency in 1981. His tenure was defined by strategic initiatives that sought to enhance community engagement. Understanding the importance of family involvement, he oversaw the renovation of recreational facilities, including the establishment of an exclusive family enclave, which became a lively hub for gatherings and social activities.

To commemorate the Association’s Golden Jubilee, Nathanji led a dedicated committee that organized an elaborate celebration at the National Theatre with Tamil cinema stars performing at two sell-out shows on May 1 and 2, 1981, capturing extensive the community ‘attention. He also facilitated the publication of a comprehensive 124-page commemorative magazine celebrating the association’s history and impact on the Indian community.

In 2022, Nathanji proposed a resolution at the Annual General Meeting to add Tamil as a second language on the association’s signage, alongside English. The motion garnered approximately 86% support, marking a significant achievement for the Singapore Indian Association, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023.

SINGAPORE’S FIRST TAMIL TV SERIAL

In 1996, Nathanji made history by becoming the Executive Producer of SANGAMUM, Singapore’s first Tamil TV serial commissioned by PRIME12 TV and produced by IMN Films Pte Ltd. The serial tackled pressing social issues within the Indian community, focusing on education and cultural identity. Featuring popular Tamil film stars like the late Sarath Babu, Ashwani and many local artistes, Sangamum achieved remarkable television ratings, paving the way for increased Indian content on local television—a significant milestone in Singapore’s entertainment landscape.

NATHANJI’S PUBLICATIONS

a) Authored – My Memoirs: My Unbelievable Journey with Indian Cinema (2014), (320 pages – Hard cover).

Nathanji had the opportunity to observe at close quarters many aspects of Indian cinema. As the Indian Movie News managing editor and publisher, he had written, edited and published extensively on many interesting topics related to Indian cinema, particularly Tamil movies, stars and other film personalities.

Coupled with his close association with the crème de la crème of the greats of Tamil cinema, his long career had put him in the perfect position to put together an enviable ensemble of facts and historical happenings in book form. Was his career an opportunity given to him on a silver platter? Of course not! he had to work hard to achieve what he had envisioned.

b) Authored – Singapore: Nation Building & Indians’ Legacy (2017), (484 pages – Hard cover) sponsored by the National Heritage Board.

Indians have made great strides in all stratum of society in their chosen profession, sports, social, cultural, civic, charity, politics, education and others. They have in the process contributed significantly to the Singapore society. This book chronicles their services in appreciation of their invaluable contributions in order that the present and future generations be acquainted with such achievers and remember them for posterity.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO STAGE DRAMAS

Nathanji’s passion for the performing arts ignited in his teenage years. He partook in stage productions with Pagutharivu Noolagam, honing his acting skills under the mentorship of Tamil literary icons such as the late I. Ulaganathan. His notable performances included drama competitions organized by Tamilar Sangam (Rangoon Road), where he received accolades for portraying culturally significant characters, including roles in the period drama Samrat Asokan.

Transitioning to film, Nathanji collaborated with leading Tamil cinema stars of the era, sharing the screen with Ramarajan, Gouthami, Senthil, Goundamani, Prasanth, and Riya Sen. His artistic contributions significantly enriched the regional Indian cultural scene.

TV SERIAL SUVADUGAL

In 2019, Nathanji partnered with Naveen and Shalini of Visual Beatz Pte Ltd to co-produce Suvadugal, a critically acclaimed 10-part serial that spotlighted Indian trailblazers in Singapore. Based on his book Singapore: Nation Building & Indians’ Legacy, the series masterfully intertwined storytelling with expert insights, emphasizing resilience and innovation. It achieved top rankings on Vasantham and garnered accolades from the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA) as one of the top 10 Tamil TV serials produced in 2019, underscoring his ongoing commitment to sharing stories of Indian contributions to Singapore’s development.

INDIAN HALL OF FAME SINGAPORE

Demonstrating his dedication to community recognition, Nathanji founded the Indian Hall of Fame Singapore, in conjunction with Singapore’s Bi-centennial celebrations in 2019; a non-profit organization committed to honouring individuals of Indian descent who have made significant contributions to Singapore’s nation-building. Influential leaders like Vikram Nair, MP, and Inderjit Singh, former MP and others had helped in the formation of the society.

The society has organized biennial awards in 2020, 2022, and 2024, along with the SG60 Awards & Dinner in September 2025, celebrating distinguished members of the Indian community. Inductees include Singapore’s presidents, ministers, ambassadors, opposition MPs, sports icons, and pioneering community leaders such as Narayana Pillai—the first Indian to set foot in Singapore.

These events served to recognize achievements, inspire future generations, and reinforce the Indian community’s vital role in Singapore’s multicultural fabric.

FAMILY STATUS

Nathanji is married to Singapore’s first Deepavali Queen Contest winner – Pearl Impaljit Kaur, and together they have two daughters and a grandson, nurturing a family devoted to education and community development.

IN SUMMARY

Nathanji’s multifaceted contributions across politics, culture, arts, journalism and community service epitomize a life devoted to enriching the Indian heritage in Singapore. His impactful legacy serves as an inspiration for all, highlighting the deep connection between community service, cultural promotion, and nation building.