Kaalachakra

1. Our National Library has an exhibition on the early links between
Southern India and Southeast Asia across the Bay of Bengal. Kaalachakra
means the wheel of time. In a new age of globalisation, that wheel is
being turned again, reviving old connections in maritime Asia. There is a
thick layer of India in Southeast Asia which we are not always conscious
of.

2. I was at the exhibition yesterday. It is well-curated. National
Library's CEO Varaprasad (former Principal of Temasek Poly) had invited me
to visit the exhibition a few weeks ago because he knew of my interest in
the subject. More than that, I always enjoy going back to the National
Library with its fine airy spaces. Like the old National Library at
Stamford Road, this new library has become a major hub, and not only for
younger Singporens. I also see many foreigners. When I was MITA minister,
URA CEO Liu Thai Ker offered me the present site in exchange for another
smaller site where Raffles Girls Primary School once stood at the junction
of Stamford Road and Queens Street. It was the right decision. The entire
area around Bugis Junction is now abuzz with activities day and night.

3. Singapore's cultural and intellectual life is developing nicely.
When I was a student, it was to London and New York that we looked for
bookshops, museums and plays. Now we have some of them here. While we
have still a long way to go, we are on track and the excitement is in the
journey.

George Yeo

National Library

Exhibition Website

Comments

[Edwin T Y Yeo]

Ok, the National Library is truly great. But, the old National Library building next to the National Musuem remains sorely missed. Having the icon replaced by an inconsequential tunnel (with ERP at that!), is really such a pity. We do a good job in preserving antique buildings like the Fullerton, and so quick to identify new icons like the Esplanade, but it seems architecture of an entire generation from the 70s-80s which are more pragmatic and less dramatic in design are all but ignored. Many of them too represent an important part of Singapore's history, and are close to many hearts, so hopefully, we can identify some of these to be preserved for posterity as well.

Ed.