Jacintha Abisheganaden
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Jacintha Abisheganaden (born 3 October 1957), known professionally as Jacintha, is a
Singaporean Singaporeans are the citizens and nationals of the sovereign island city-state of Singapore. Singapore is home to a people of a variety of ethno-racial-religious origins, with the city-state itself being a multi-racial, multi-cultural, m ...
singer, actress, and theater practitioner who studied at the
National University of Singapore The National University of Singapore (NUS) is a national university, national Public university, public research university in Singapore. It was officially established in 1980 by the merging of the University of Singapore and Nanyang University ...
and received a degree in arts, majoring in English literature. She is a founding member of the performance company TheatreWorks.


Early life

Abisheganaden was born in 1957 to mixed-race Singaporean musician parents, namely a Ceylonese-origin Indian classical guitarist cum music teacher, Alex Abisheganaden (1926–2023), a recipient of the
Cultural Medallion The Cultural Medallion () is a cultural award in Singapore conferred to those who have achieved artistic excellence in dance, theatre, Literature of Singapore, literature, Music of Singapore, music, photography, art and Cinema of Singapore, film ...
and a Chinese mother of
Cantonese Cantonese is the traditional prestige variety of Yue Chinese, a Sinitic language belonging to the Sino-Tibetan language family. It originated in the city of Guangzhou (formerly known as Canton) and its surrounding Pearl River Delta. While th ...
descent, Eileen Wong (born 1928) who was a pianist and also an arts teacher. She studied piano and voice from her early teens and also sang in the Singapore Youth Choir where she met her future collaborator,
Dick Lee Richard Lee Peng Boon (born 24 August 1956) is a Singaporean singer-songwriter, playwright and film director. Lee was awarded the Cultural Medallion, Singapore's pinnacle arts award, for music in 2005. Early life Lee was born to a Peranakan fathe ...
. Growing up, Abisheganaden listened to a wide variety of music, not only vocal jazz and traditional pop but also artists who ranged from
Stevie Wonder Stevland Hardaway Morris (; Judkins; born May 13, 1950), known professionally as Stevie Wonder, is an American and Ghanaian singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. He is regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th c ...
to
Joni Mitchell Roberta Joan Mitchell (née Anderson; born November 7, 1943) is a Canadian and American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and painter. As one of the most influential singer-songwriters to emerge from the 1960s folk music circuit, Mitch ...
to South African singer
Miriam Makeba Zenzile Miriam Makeba ( , ; 4 March 1932 – 9 November 2008), nicknamed Mama Africa, was a South African singer, songwriter, actress, and civil rights activist. Associated with musical genres including African popular music, Afropop, ja ...
. Abisheganaden was a big fan of Brazilian bandleader
Sergio Mendes Sergio may refer to: * Sergio (name), for people with the given name Sergio * Sergio (carbonado), the largest rough diamond ever found * Sergio, the mascot for the Old Orchard Beach Surge Old or OLD may refer to: Places *Old, Baranya, Hungar ...
during her upbringing and she has been quoted as saying that she was "obsessed" with
Barbra Streisand Barbara Joan "Barbra" Streisand ( ; born April 24, 1942) is an American singer, actress, songwriter, producer, and director. With a career spanning over six decades, she has achieved success across multiple fields of entertainment, being the ...
. Abisheganaden was educated at Marymount Convent School,
Raffles Institution Raffles Institution (RI) is an independent educational institution in Singapore. Founded in 1823, it is the oldest school in the country. It provides secondary education for boys only from Year 1 to Year 4, and pre-university education for both b ...
and the
National University of Singapore The National University of Singapore (NUS) is a national university, national Public university, public research university in Singapore. It was officially established in 1980 by the merging of the University of Singapore and Nanyang University ...
, where she graduated with an honours degree in English. She then went to America where she studied creative writing at
Harvard University Harvard University is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1636 and named for its first benefactor, the History of the Puritans in North America, Puritan clergyma ...
.


Career

Abisheganaden first came to prominence in 1976 when she won a local television talent contest, ''Talentime'', singing jazz. She continued this winning streak in 1981, when she nabbed the Best Female Performer award for her role as Nurse Angamuthu in ''General Hospital'' at the Drama Festival. In 1982, she worked as an arts reporter for ''
The Straits Times ''The Straits Times'' (also known informally by its abbreviation ''ST'') is a Singaporean daily English-language newspaper owned by the SPH Media Trust. Established on 15 July 1845, it is the most-widely circulated newspaper in the country and ...
'', interviewing figures like
Neil Sedaka Neil Sedaka (; born March 13, 1939) is an American singer, songwriter and pianist. Since his music career began in 1957, he has sold millions of records worldwide and has written or co-written over 500 songs for himself and other artists, collabo ...
, Cliff Richards and
Sophia Loren Sofia Costanza Brigida Villani Scicolone (; born 20 September 1934), known professionally as Sophia Loren ( , ), is an Italian actress, active in her native country and the United States. With a career spanning over 70 years, she is one of the ...
. In 1982, she acted as Pala in ''Samseng and the Chettiar's Daughter'', a
Singapore Arts Festival Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) is an annual arts festival held in Singapore. It is organised bArts House Limitedfor the National Arts Council Singapore, National Arts Council. The festival is usually held in mid-year for a stretch ...
production directed by John Tasker. She also acted in the Experimental Theatre Club's ''Terry Rex'' for the 1982 Singapore Drama Festival. In 1983, Abisheganaden released her debut album ''Silence'' on WEA, on which
Dick Lee Richard Lee Peng Boon (born 24 August 1956) is a Singaporean singer-songwriter, playwright and film director. Lee was awarded the Cultural Medallion, Singapore's pinnacle arts award, for music in 2005. Early life Lee was born to a Peranakan fathe ...
wrote nine out of the ten songs. The new wave album, containing a cover of the
Bee Gees The Bee Gees were a musical group formed in 1958 by brothers Barry Gibb, Barry, Robin Gibb, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The trio was especially successful in popular music in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and later as prominent performers in ...
' "Run to Me", was reviewed positively, with ''
The Straits Times ''The Straits Times'' (also known informally by its abbreviation ''ST'') is a Singaporean daily English-language newspaper owned by the SPH Media Trust. Established on 15 July 1845, it is the most-widely circulated newspaper in the country and ...
'' calling it "probably the most impressive debut album...from a local singer." In the same year, Abisheganaden acted in the Experimental Theatre Club's production of ''Susan's Party'', directed by Lim Siauw Chong, for the Drama Festival. In 1984, Abisheganaden starred in
Dick Lee Richard Lee Peng Boon (born 24 August 1956) is a Singaporean singer-songwriter, playwright and film director. Lee was awarded the Cultural Medallion, Singapore's pinnacle arts award, for music in 2005. Early life Lee was born to a Peranakan fathe ...
's play ''Bumboat''—the title song, featuring the cast, was released as a record, with "Unsaid", a duet between Lee and Abisheganaden on the flipside. In 1985, Abisheganaden returned from the States temporarily (where she moved with her husband) to act in TheatreWorks' ''Love and Belacan'', three playlets co-starring
Lim Kay Tong Lim Kay Tong (born 10 July 1954) is a Singaporean film, television and stage actor. Notably, he played supporting roles in films including ''Shanghai Surprise'' (1986), ''Noble House (miniseries), Noble House'' (1988), and ''Brokedown Palace'' (19 ...
. In 1986, Abisheganaden returned from the States permanently to record her second album, and played a series of live jazz shows at The Saxophone. In the same year, she sang and acted in
Singapore Broadcasting Corporation Mediacorp Pte. Ltd. is the state media, state-owned media conglomerate of Singapore. Owned by Temasek Holdings—the investment arm of the Government of Singapore—it owns and operates television channels, radio, and digital media properties. ...
's hour-long programme ''Destination Mauritius''. In 1987, Abisheganaden was voted Best Performer at the fourth ASEAN Song Festival and released her second album ''Tropicana''. She also acted as Zemphira in ''The Gypsies—The Tragedy of Zemphira'', directed by William Teo. In 1988, she performed in TheatreWorks' musical '' Beauty World'' and acted as singer Josephine in
Pam Gems Pam Gems ( Iris Pamela Price; 1 August 1925 – 13 May 2011) was an England, English playwright. The author of numerous original plays, as well as of adaptations of works by European playwrights of the past, Gems is best known for the 1978 Musi ...
' '' Piaf''. In the same year, she was Singapore's representative at the Pax Musica cultural entertainment show in Singapore. In 1989, Abisheganaden and
Dick Lee Richard Lee Peng Boon (born 24 August 1956) is a Singaporean singer-songwriter, playwright and film director. Lee was awarded the Cultural Medallion, Singapore's pinnacle arts award, for music in 2005. Early life Lee was born to a Peranakan fathe ...
represented Singapore at the Asia Song Festival in Japan. She performed "Come Back to Me Tonight", which Lee composed for the event. In the same year, she acted in TheatreWorks' ''Mixed Signals'', a three-act comedy written by
Michael Chiang Michael Chiang (born 27 October 1955 in Muar (town), Muar, Malaysia) is a prolific playwright and screenwriter in Singapore. He is known as "Singapore's most famous and successful playwright". From 1990 to 2009, Chiang was the editorial director ...
, and ''Jackson on a Jaunt'' by Eleanor Wong, staged as part of the double bill ''Safe Sex''. She also performed with the
New York Philharmonic The New York Philharmonic is an American symphony orchestra based in New York City. Known officially as the ''Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New York, Inc.'', and globally known as the ''New York Philharmonic Orchestra'' (NYPO) or the ''New Yo ...
, conducted by
Zubin Mehta Zubin Mehta (born 29 April 1936) is an Indian conductor of Western classical music. He is music director emeritus of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) and conductor :wikt:emeritus, emeritus of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Mehta's father ...
. In 1990, Abisheganaden acted as Sheila Rani in TheatreWorks' revival of Lim Chor Pee's play, ''Mimi Fan''. In 1991, Abisheganaden acted in
Eric Khoo Eric Khoo Kim Hai (born 27 March 1965) is a Singaporean film director and producer who is often credited for the revival of the Singapore modern film industry. Early life and education Born on 27 March 1965 in Singapore, Eric Khoo was the younge ...
's short film ''August'' as an adulterous wife and released her third album ''Dramamama'' on Japan's Wave Records. In the same year, she starred in TheatreWorks' ''Fried Rice Paradise'' and ''Theatre Games''. In 1992, Abisheganaden starred in
Dick Lee Richard Lee Peng Boon (born 24 August 1956) is a Singaporean singer-songwriter, playwright and film director. Lee was awarded the Cultural Medallion, Singapore's pinnacle arts award, for music in 2005. Early life Lee was born to a Peranakan fathe ...
's first Asian operetta, ''Nagaland'', which performed to full houses in Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore. In 1993, Abisheganaden sang the lead role of Grizabella in ''
Cats The cat (''Felis catus''), also referred to as the domestic cat or house cat, is a small domesticated carnivorous mammal. It is the only domesticated species of the family Felidae. Advances in archaeology and genetics have shown that the ...
'' when the hit musical opened in Singapore. In the same year, she hosted the cooking show, ''Mum's Not Cooking''. In 1997, Abisheganaden starred in
Dick Lee Richard Lee Peng Boon (born 24 August 1956) is a Singaporean singer-songwriter, playwright and film director. Lee was awarded the Cultural Medallion, Singapore's pinnacle arts award, for music in 2005. Early life Lee was born to a Peranakan fathe ...
's musical ''Hotpants'', which was restaged in 2014. In the mid-nineties, actor
Lim Kay Tong Lim Kay Tong (born 10 July 1954) is a Singaporean film, television and stage actor. Notably, he played supporting roles in films including ''Shanghai Surprise'' (1986), ''Noble House (miniseries), Noble House'' (1988), and ''Brokedown Palace'' (19 ...
introduced Abisheganaden to Ying Tan, who signed her to his Groove Note label. Her first jazz album was released in 1998: ''Here's To Ben – A Vocal Tribute To
Ben Webster Benjamin Francis Webster (March 27, 1909 – September 20, 1973) was an American jazz tenor Saxophone, saxophonist. He performed in the United States and Europe and made many recordings with Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Johnny Hodges, a ...
''. Abisheganaden's second album for the Groove Note label, ''Autumn Leaves: The Songs of
Johnny Mercer John Herndon Mercer (November 18, 1909 – June 25, 1976) was an American lyricist, songwriter, and singer, as well as a record label executive who co-founded Capitol Records with music industry businessmen Buddy DeSylva and Wallichs Music Cit ...
'' (1999) has seen the title track being used for the TV series '' Alias'', while the bonus track "Here's to Life" was used as the title track for the Hollywood movie ''
Play It to the Bone ''Play It to the Bone'' is a 1999 American sports comedy-drama film written and directed by Ron Shelton. It stars Woody Harrelson and Antonio Banderas as two boxers and best friends who travel together to Las Vegas to fight each other, with the ...
'', as well as being used during
Michael J. Fox Michael Andrew Fox (born June 9, 1961), known professionally as Michael J. Fox, is a Canadian and American actor and activist. Beginning his career as a child actor in the 1970s, he rose to prominence portraying Alex P. Keaton on the NBC sitcom ...
's narration of ABC Sports' coverage Game 7 of the
2001 Stanley Cup Finals The 2001 Stanley Cup Finals was the Stanley Cup Finals, championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2000–01 NHL season, 2000–01 season, and the culmination of the 2001 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested between the Eastern ...
. She has since recorded several jazz albums under the Groove Note label, including "Lush Life" (2002), "Jacintha is Her Name" (2003), "The Girl from Bossa Nova" (2004), and "Jacintha Goes to Hollywood" (2007). The retrospective collection "Best of Jacintha" was released in 2008. In 2004, Abisheganaden performed her own cabaret jazz show, ''The Angina Monologues'' at the
Old Parliament House, Singapore The Arts House (formerly the Old Parliament House) is a multi-disciplinary arts venue in Singapore. The venue plays host to art exhibitions and concerts. Built in 1827, the Old Parliament House is the oldest government building and perhaps the ...
. In 2006, Abisheganaden served as a judge on the second season of ''
Singapore Idol ''Singapore Idol'' was a Singaporean reality television singing competition produced by Mediacorp, MediaCorp Studios and FremantleMedia Operations BV. It began airing on Channel 5 (Singaporean TV channel), MediaCorp Channel 5 on 9 August 2004 un ...
''. In 2012, Abisheganaden returned to the stage after 13 years, playing herself in
Ong Keng Sen Ong Keng Sen (born 20 November 1963; ) is a Singaporean director of the theatre group TheatreWorks (Singapore), TheatreWorks, which was founded in 1985. Early life Ong Keng Sen was youngest of six children born to immigrants from Putian, China ...
's ''National Broadway Company'', a musical commissioned for the
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay or nicknamed as The Durian is a performing arts centre located in the Downtown Core of Singapore near the mouth of the Singapore River. Named after the nearby Esplanade Park, it consists of two rounded struc ...
's 10th anniversary.


Personal life

In 1983, Abisheganaden married an American lawyer, David Scheffer. They separated after three years. In June 1992, Abisheganaden married her close collaborator, the singer-songwriter
Dick Lee Richard Lee Peng Boon (born 24 August 1956) is a Singaporean singer-songwriter, playwright and film director. Lee was awarded the Cultural Medallion, Singapore's pinnacle arts award, for music in 2005. Early life Lee was born to a Peranakan fathe ...
. The couple divorced in 1997. In May 1998, Abisheganaden married former ''
The Straits Times ''The Straits Times'' (also known informally by its abbreviation ''ST'') is a Singaporean daily English-language newspaper owned by the SPH Media Trust. Established on 15 July 1845, it is the most-widely circulated newspaper in the country and ...
'' journalist Koh Boon Pin in Bali. The couple, who have a son Alexander together, divorced in 2008.


Discography

* ''Silence'' (WEA, 1983) * ''Tropicana'' (WEA, 1987) * ''Dramamama'' (Sony, 1991) * ''My Life'' (Springroll, 1997) * ''Here's to Ben: A Vocal Tribute to Ben Webster'' (Groove Note, 1998) * ''Autumn Leaves: The Songs of Johnny Mercer'' (Groove Note, 1999) * ''Lush Life'' (Groove Note, 2001) * ''Jacintha Is Her Name'' (Groove Note, 2003) * ''The Girl from Bossa Nova'' (Groove Note, 2004) * ''Love Flows Like a River'' (Harmony, 2005) * ''Jacintha Goes to Hollywood'' (Groove Note, 2007) * ''Best of Jacintha'' (Groove Note, 2008) * ''Fire & Rain'' (Groove Note, 2018)


See also

*
Chindian Chindian (; zh, c=中印人, p=Zhōngyìnrén, cy=Jūngyanyàn; ; ); is an informal term used to refer to a person of mixed Chinese and Indian ancestry; i.e. from any of the host of ethnic groups native to modern China and modern India. There ...


References


External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Abisheganaden, Jacintha 1957 births Singaporean television actresses Singaporean Anglicans Singaporean film actresses 20th-century Singaporean women singers Singaporean people of Sri Lankan Tamil descent Living people Singaporean people of Indian descent Singaporean people of Chinese descent Tamil musicians 20th-century Singaporean actresses Singaporean journalists Singaporean women journalists 21st-century Singaporean women singers Singaporean women jazz singers