Immortals: Singapore

Hang Nadim

In the heart of modern Singapore, amidst the towering skyscrapers and bustling streets, there lives an immortal named Hang Nadim. His name, reminiscent of the legendary figures from the Malay Annals, carries the weight of centuries. The story of how he came to be is one that intertwines the past with the present, a tale that flows through time like the Singapore River through the city.

Hang Nadim's journey began in the era of the Malay Annals, a time when myths were indistinguishable from reality and the supernatural was part of everyday life. Born to a humble family in a small kampong, Nadim was unlike any other child. He never fell ill, he healed rapidly from injuries, and as years passed, he ceased to age.

The villagers whispered of his uniqueness, some in awe, others in suspicion. It wasn't until a fateful encounter with a wandering mystic that Nadim learned of his destiny. The mystic, an old man with eyes that seemed to hold the cosmos, bestowed upon Nadim a gift and a curse: the gift of eternal life, and the curse of eternal solitude.

As empires rose and fell, Nadim watched the world change. He witnessed the arrival of the British, the turmoil of war, and the birth of a nation. With each passing century, he adapted, learning new languages, adopting new customs, and taking on new identities. Yet, his heart remained anchored in the time of the Malay Annals, a period that shaped his soul.

Now, in present-day Singapore, Nadim lives as a storyteller, sharing tales of old with those who yearn to listen. He speaks of legendary battles, of love that defies time, and of the rich tapestry of history that is the foundation of this city-state. Through his stories, he keeps the past alive, and through his existence, he bridges the gap between what was and what is.

As he narrates his tale to a captivated audience at the Esplanade, his voice is a melody that dances with the rhythm of the city. He talks of the ancient trees that once stood where now children play, of the rivers that flowed freely before they were tamed by progress, and of the spirits that once roamed the land, now hidden in the shadows of the concrete jungle.

Hang Nadim's story is one of resilience and adaptation. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of Singapore, a city that has transformed dramatically yet remains rooted in its history. And as the night falls, and the stars twinkle above Marina Bay, Nadim's immortal eyes reflect a wisdom that only time can bestow.

His audience disperses, each person carrying with them a piece of the past, and Hang Nadim, the immortal from the time of the Malay Annals, walks slowly towards the Merlion, the symbol of Singapore's rich heritage. There, he gazes out at the sea, a silent guardian of history, forever watching, forever remembering.

This story, though a mere glimpse into the life of an immortal, captures the essence of Singapore's journey from a small island in the Malay Archipelago to the global metropolis it is today. Hang Nadim, like Singapore, is a blend of the old and the new, a bearer of tradition in a world that is ever-changing.

And so, the immortal from the Malay Annals continues to live, his existence a bridge between epochs, his stories a vessel for the collective memory of a nation. In the heart of Singapore, where the past and present converge, Hang Nadim remains, timeless and eternal.