Paul Selvaraj Abisheganaden (27 March 1914 in

Penang Penang ( ms, Pulau Pinang, is a Malaysian state located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, by the Malacca Strait. It has two parts: Penang Island, where the capital city, George Town, is located, and Seberang Perai on the Malay ...

– 31 August 2011 in

Singapore Singapore (), officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island country and city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It lies about one degree of latitude () north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, borde ...

) was a

an conductor and 1986

Cultural Medallion The Cultural Medallion is a cultural award in Singapore conferred to those who have achieved artistic excellence in dance, theatre, literature, music, photography, art and film. It is widely recognized as Singapore's pinnacle arts award. Histor ...

recipient for his contributions to music. Paul was educated at Serangoon English School and St Andrew's School, passing his Senior Cambridge examinations in 1931. He studied arts subjects at

Raffles College The National University of Singapore (NUS) is a national public research university in Singapore. Founded in 1905 as the Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States Government Medical School, NUS is the oldest autonomous university in the c ...

and graduated with a Diploma in the Arts in 1934. He joined the education service and taught at the Geylang English School, where he composed the music and lyric for what was to be the first school anthem, entitled the "Geylang English School Song". Paul is credited with championing and reviving

classical music Classical music generally refers to the art music of the Western world, considered to be distinct from Western folk music or popular music traditions. It is sometimes distinguished as Western classical music, as the term "classical music" also ...

in Singapore during the 1940s and 1950s. He founded one of the country's first string ensembles. As an educator, he was the principal of

Victoria School Victoria School (VS) is a government autonomous boys' secondary school in Siglap, Singapore. Established in 1876, it is Singapore's second oldest state secondary school. It offers a six-year Integrated Programme, which allows students to skip t ...

from 1959 to 1961 and the principal of Teacher's Training College from 1963 to 1968. He later taught in the music department of the

National University of Singapore The National University of Singapore (NUS) is a national public research university in Singapore. Founded in 1905 as the Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States Government Medical School, NUS is the oldest autonomous university in the c ...

for decades. Paul Abisheganaden died on August 31, 2011, at

National University Hospital The National University Hospital (NUH) is a tertiary referral hospital and academic medical centre in Singapore, located in Kent Ridge. It is a 1,160-bed tertiary hospital serving more than 670,000 outpatients and 49,000 inpatients and serves a ...

in Singapore at the age of 97. He was survived by three daughters, eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Abisheganaden was predeceased by his wife. His younger brother, Alex Abisheganaden, is a

classical guitarist This is a list of classical guitarists. Baroque (17th and 18th centuries) 19th century 20th century https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXAPUbFDFJfxY2qijBIG2Og?view_as=subscriberModern See also * List of flamenco guitarists References ...

. His funeral service was held on September 3, 2011, at St Andrew's Cathedral, where he served as choir master.

References

External links

Singapore National Library: Paul Abisheganaden
{{DEFAULTSORT:Abisheganaden, Paul 1914 births 2011 deaths Singaporean educators 20th-century Singaporean educators Singaporean conductors (music) National University of Singapore faculty Singaporean people of Tamil descent Singaporean people of Indian descent Singaporean Anglicans Saint Andrew's School, Singapore alumni People associated with Victoria schools, Singapore Recipients of the Cultural Medallion 20th-century Singaporean musicians 21st-century Singaporean musicians 20th-century conductors (music)