Cultural individualism in modern Singapore.

Abstract

In Singapore’s society, where great importance has been placed on seeking the physical, material aspect of life, one can’t help but question, what about the relevance of Arts? Under the government’s totalitarian rule, and the nation is built upon the ideology that culture is to be re-created for the purpose of unifying the nation, how then, is one’s identity relevant in such a context? Kuo Pao Kun, a highly looked upon and influential Singaporean playwright, theatre director and arts activist, whose works often deal with issues pertaining to identity and one’s state of being in relation to the society, serves as good reference in searching for answers to these questions. Using The Coffin is Too Big for the Hole, No Parking on Odd Days and Descendants of the Eunuch Admiral for analysis, the main aim of this paper is to discuss the importance of one’s self-identity, especially in a modern society like Singapore which policies have resulted in an entire nation of what Kuo describes as “cultural orphans”. This essay examines the condition of Singapore life and why cultural individualism is essential.