V.T. Arasu

Mr. V. Thirunavukkarasu or V.T. Arasu as he was popularly known in Singapore, distinguished himself through his contributions to various fields. He was a journalist, civil servant, editor, author, Tamil enthusiast and leader of organisations. Born in India on 11 January 1926, Arasu came to Singapore in 1951, armed with a degree from the University of Madras and five years of experience in journalism. He joined Tamil Murasu, the leading Tamil daily, as its sub-editor. His pithy weekly and daily columns and catchy headlines attracted readers. In tandem with this portfolio, under the guidance of the community leader and Editor G. Sarangapany, Arasu played a prominent role in the cultural and educational movements of the 1950s and 1960s. Notable among these activities were the management of Tamil schools, encouragement of creative writing, organization of the Tamizhar Tirunaal and the campaign to establish the Tamil department at the University. In the 1950s and 1960s, he played a significant role in developing the cultural and educational scene in various ways, such as encouraging creative writing. Though Arasu left Tamil Murasu in 1958 to join the civil service, he returned in 1989 as its Chief Editor at the request of its owners, the G. Sarangapany family. When he returned to Tamil Murasu as its chief editor, that he would begin to shape what many now call his enduring legacy: transforming a failing community newspaper into a relevant and thriving publication. Arasu started by revamping the paper's content to make it more in-depth and local-based. He upgraded its design and computerised its production and plugged the distribution system into that of all the other language papers. By the time he stepped down in 2000, Tamil Murasu had quadrupled its circulation and become a profitable paper. More importantly, by making Tamil Murasu a part of the Singapore Press Holdings, he ensured the continuity and growth of the Tamil daily for the foreseeable future. He was instrumental in securing the paper's survival.