Campbell Lane

Campbell Lane is the centre of activity during Hindu religious festivals. Three weeks before Deepavali( Festival of Light), the street will be turned into a festival village. Traditional Indian garments , jewellery, food, art, handicrafts, spices and carpets are available for sale. The origin of the street has little to do with its main activities Campbell Lane is named after Sir Colin Campbell, a Scottish field marshal (1792-1883). He is involved in successful military campaigns in the Far East, including the Indian mutiny and the Crimean War. However, there exists a varying account that suggests that Campbell Lane was named after Robert Campbell, a member of the managing committee of the Public Library and Museum in Singapore in 1874.

Colourful garlands are hung on the shop. Flower garland is one of the oldest surviving trade on Campbell lane. Threading together jasmine, marigolds and roses to represent purity, peace and love respectively. Given to the chief guest or guests during functions as a symbol of respect.

While we were looking for P. Govindasamy Pillai's shop, something caught our attention! Cows brought in for harvest festival, Pongal.

Back to the topic, yes, we've found the shop of “The Shop of P. Govindasamy Pillai". He is affectionately known as PGP P. Govindasamy Pillai and he came to Singapore being a “lowly immigrant” but with a bank loan, he managed to embark on a new retail career. Eventually he went on to become the “king of the textile industry, a social reformer and philanthropist”. He helped in many worthy causes, such as the establishment of the University of Malaya, the Ghandi Memorial Fund, the Ramakrishna Mission, Mount Alvernia Hospital and Sri Perumal temple.