Recognising the need to reach the wider Indian community beyond just the Tamil population, Tamil Murasu launched tabla!, a weekly English newspaper, on Oct 10, 2008.
After 17 years, the publication, which is released every Friday, has earned a valued place in the weekly routine of its long-time subscribers and readers.
tabla! talks to four avid readers who share their thoughts and experiences with the publication.
From Newsmaker to Subscriber
When Dr Preeti Pandit, a 35-year psychotherapist and hotelier, first acquired the Sandpiper Hotel on Dunlop Street in 2009, little did she know that she was about to begin a long-term relationship with tabla!.
She was first introduced to the paper after one of its journalists had approached her to feature her and her boutique hotel, which officially opened its doors in 2011.
The hotel started carrying about 10 to 15 copies of tabla! at the publication’s request, with the hope that its location in the heart of Little India would help reach tabla!’s target audience: the local Indian community.
“Most of the people in the neighbourhood, especially the shopkeepers from nearby stores, would come over to our hotel to take the paper, and it created a sort of community spirit,” Dr Preeti said.
Devotees who visited the nearby Abdul Gafoor Mosque for Friday prayers and patrons of the Bismillah Biryani restaurant opposite the hotel would also drop by to pick up a copy of tabla!, Dr Preeti added. To accommodate the increased readership, the hotel decided to place a designated stand for tabla! in the lobby, which currently holds about 25 to 30 copies.
Dr Preeti has lived in eight countries, including the United States and Russia, before choosing to make Singapore her home. She personally subscribes to tabla!, which she credits with helping her stay updated on the local Indian community, thanks to its timely coverage on social events and organisations like the Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association (LISHA).
Political News and Rajini Fan
It was around the time of the 2024 United States elections when Ms Aarabhi Iyer, 10, became a keen reader of tabla!. She had passed by a stand with tabla! newspapers at the former Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) campus at 2A Starlight Road, where she takes art classes.
“I took one copy. I read it and really liked the ‘India in 2 minutes’ section and the news about the US elections,” Ms Aarabhi said.
The primary four student from Raffles Girls’ Primary School enjoys reading tabla’s political news stories, especially stories that feature world leaders like Donald Trump and Narendra Modi.
The only exception to her penchant for political news stories is her enthusiasm for Tamil film superstar Rajinikanth, often combing through the pages of tabla! to find articles about him.
When SIFAS moved to its new campus at Middle Road this year, Ms Aarabhi could no longer find the newspaper there. Determined not to miss an issue, she enlisted her parents’ help to procure her weekly copies of tabla!
“For the last two to three weeks, we’ve been going to Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, which we usually go to for our weekly family prayers, to pick up copies of tabla!,” said Dr Uma Natarajan, Aarabhi’s mother.
On the drive back, Aarabhi will do her first read of the paper in the car and revisit the articles she enjoyed when she’s home. “The paper will be on her desk for the next two to three days as she continues to re-read the articles,” Dr Uma added.
She then shares the stories she has read with her parents and grandad, either in the car or over the weekend, making her weekly tabla! read, a cherished family affair.
A Jethmal Family Affair
In the east, Ms Divika Jethmal, 30, and her family have maintained a similar routine ever since tabla! hit the stands in 2008. Her father Mr Nanik Jethmal, 67, first heard about tabla! through the Singapore Sindhi Association.
“It was quite the buzz in our Sindhi community. Back then, it was also quite visible. Indian restaurants had copies, and there were TV advertisements announcing its launch. It immediately caught my interest,” said Mr Nanik.
He would pick up a copy of tabla! from the 7-Eleven store in Siglap outside their home every Friday evening, setting in motion a family tradition that has shaped much of Ms Divika’s formative years.
“I’ve been reading tabla! since young. It just was always there on our coffee table and became a natural part of our weekend routine. My mum would want to discuss the articles over the weekend. If I had said I hadn’t read them yet, she’d smile and ask me to read it,” Ms Divika said.
“I’ve always liked the cultural features and stories about ambitious individuals. The feature on Kishore Mahbubani really stood out to me. I admire how he shares his views with clarity and confidence,” she added.
Her father similarly looks out for cultural stories, especially those with a family or spiritual angle while her mother, Mrs Chandni Jethmal, 62, enjoyed the nutrition-related articles and recipes that used to run in the “Relax” section of the paper.
A Champion for Youth
As the heartbeat of Singapore’s Indian community, tabla! often shines a spotlight on Indian performing arts events, including one where Mr Anurag Banerjee’s friend took part in a few years ago.
The 17-year-old student from the Global Indian International School attended a Hindustani music festival, and a few weeks later, discovered that it had been featured in tabla! “Seeing my friend in the paper was such a proud and heartwarming moment,” said Mr Anurag.
“It also made me realise how closely tabla! follows and celebrates our community’s cultural achievements, which made me start reading the paper in 2018. I usually get a physical copy from 7-Eleven, but if I am not able to, I will look up the news on my phone,” he added.
He loves reading the articles that feature students, as he finds it motivational to witness people his age being showcased for their initiatives and ideas. He credits the paper for helping him connect with his Indian roots, citing that every issue captures our achievements, culture, and stories that might otherwise go unheard.
His suggestion to increase tabla!’s youth engagement is to introduce a monthly column written by students that focuses on a prevalent social issue. “This would involve a sharing of fresh perspectives, and spur the younger generation to be more involved in meaningful affairs,” said Mr Anurag.
tabla! is available for delivery to your doorstep every Friday for just S$2 a month. Subscribe now!
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