Dhevarajan Devadas, an accomplished historian with a Master’s degree in history from the National University of Singapore, has been an important figure in making history accessible and engaging to the broader public through his platform, Historyogi. Before his foray into public history and digital content creation, Dhevarajan served as a research assistant at the Institute of Policy Studies at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. During his tenure, he played a significant role in organising the 2019 Bicentennial Conference and contributed to the oral history collection on policy, showcasing his dedication to preserving and understanding Singapore’s rich historical landscape.
Since 2018, Dhevarajan has been publishing the “Historyogi Post,” a newsletter aimed at making the national history of Singapore and global history more accessible to the wider public. This initiative underscores his commitment to democratising historical knowledge and ensuring that it reaches diverse audiences. Recognising the evolving nature of media consumption, Dhevarajan expanded his efforts into the realm of podcasts with the launch of the “Historyogi Podcast” in 2021. This platform has allowed him to delve deeper into historical narratives, providing listeners with rich, engaging content by interviewing various researchers on Singapore’s intricate and complex histories.
Further embracing the digital age, Dhevarajan launched the Historyogi TikTok channel, which has become a remarkable success. By sharing historical videos, including speeches by Singaporean political figures such as Lee Kuan Yew and Yusof Ishak, as well as vibrant vintage images of Deepavali and Thaipusam festivities, Dhevarajan has brought history to life for a new generation. The response from the public has been overwhelmingly positive, with the channel’s follower count soaring to an impressive 123,000. In an interview with Tamil Murasu, Dhevarajan expressed his astonishment and gratitude at the rapid growth of his audience, which began with just a few hundred followers.
@historyogi LKY on a multiracial Malaysia #tiktoksg #singapore #history #learningisfun #tiktokmalaysia
♬ original sound – Historyogi SG – Historyogi | Singapore History
Currently, Dhevarajan is sourcing more historical photographs and archival materials from the Singapore National Archive and the Singapore National Library. His goal is to showcase these treasures to the public, further enriching their understanding of Singaporean and international history. Despite his busy schedule as a Research Analyst for political and strategic issues at the Australian High Commission in Singapore, Dhevarajan dedicates his spare time to developing Historyogi.
Dhevarajan firmly believes that understanding history is crucial for comprehending the present. While some may view history as an exhaustive subject, he sees it as an essential tool for gaining insight into contemporary issues and realities. His work continues to inspire and educate, proving that history, when presented engagingly and accessibly, can capture the imagination of a wide audience.
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