• On 12 December 1975, a group of students at Nanyang University, driven by their passion for writing poetry, established the Nanyang University Poetry Society.
• It was the first literary society dedicated solely to poetry to be established in Singapore since its independence. The society’s creative style leaned towards Modernism.
• The first president of the society was Ng Kee How. Other notable members included Pan Cheng Lui, Tan Lye Chwee, Tay Eng How, Toh Lam Huat and Ken Chang.
• The Nanyang University Poetry Society was very active both in and out of campus. The year after its establishment, it launched its poetry magazine, “红树林”.
• In 1980, the society was dissolved following the merger of Nanyang University and the University of Singapore.
• Subsequently, an affiliated society, the Aljunied Creative Writing and Translation Group, was established at Aljunied Community Centre, made up of members both within and outside the university. This was facilitated by the advisor to the Nanyang University Poetry Society Dr Yeo Song Nian and Member of Parliament Chin Harn Tong, thus allowing the continuation of the original society’s creative activities.

The 1970s, before the birth of Xinyao, were a glorious period for local art songs. After the arts and cultural groups became dormant, members of the Nanyang University Poetry Society performed poetry-music accompanied by live guitar. The song “Chuandeng” (“传灯”), co-written by Ken Chang and Toh Lam Huat, marks the end of that era of literary youths. (Lianhe Zaobao, 13/1/2022)