The Singapore Tamil Youths’ Club was established in 1957 amidst a vibrant Singapore bracing itself for self-rule, parliamentary elections, and eventually independence. STYC was formed by youths who wanted a society for Singapore born youths to contribute to the social transformation of the Tamil community in Singapore.
The history of STYC has many twists and turns typical of voluntary societies. The founding leaders gave priority to Tamil dramas reflecting the period’s (1957 to 1967) interest for using dramas for social transformation. From 1967 STYC attracted more youths who were locally born and educated in Singapore. They moved from patronising dramas to Talentimes, Cultural shows, blood donations,and charitable activities. They eventually made STYC a member of the Singapore Council of Social Services (SCSS). However, after 1983, STYC faced a leadership crisis that reduced its contributions while other organisations took over its functions.
In late 1987, President Gopal (a lawyer) decided to hand over STYC to a group of youths advised by Professor A. Veeramani (then a Senior Lecturer at NUS). A group of 250 youths under the advisorship of Professor A. Veeramani took over the revival of STYC from 1988. STYC then had $5,000 in the bank and used a post-box address.
From 1988 to 2000, STYC became the best run premier organisation in Singapore. Membership rose to 600 members with annual conferences, talks, seminars, cultural shows, drama competitions, publications of books, Puthiya Samuthayam newsletter and many book launches (See STYC 60th Anniversary Volume, 2017). Amidst all the events, STYC raised adequate funds to buy its own office premises at the Golden Wall Centre, Short Street. It became the fourth Tamil social organisation in Singapore to operate from its own premises.
From 2015, Professor A. Veeramani tried to revive STYC with a youth group. In October 2017, with his return to Singapore, an Executive Committee was established. In December 2017, STYC emerged again with its celebration of its 60 years (1957 - 2017) with the publication of the historical book of its sixty years of history. Since then, STYC has developed rapidly to contribute its best to Singapore. New youths have come together to move STYC to higher achievements. STYC’s continued survival is due to the selfless sacrifice of members, youths, patrons and well wishers. STYC will continue to cherish them in its long march in Singapore’s history.
