Singapore’s very own Orchard Road beads uncle, one of the most famous buskers in the country, passed away last Sunday (June 5), at the age of 80.
And while he’ll be “dearly missed and fondly remembered by loved ones,” as his obituary says, including his wife, children, and grandchildren, his passing was noted by many others who had been charmed by his bead spinning for years.
Mr Oh Ow Kee was well known not only for swinging giant beads around his neck and waist but perhaps more importantly for his enthusiasm and zest for living, which charmed many passers-by over the past two decades, although he had to briefly stop during the pandemic.
Mr Jonathan Goh, the founder of the Buskers’ Association Singapore, penned a tribute to the “beads uncle” in a Facebook post, writing, ”I will miss (Oh Ow Kee’s) smile and wave every time I pass by him to head to Wisma Atria to busk.”
And on the Facebook page of Salty Thunder (Salty Xi Jie Ng), the artist who featured Mr Oh in the film Singapore Minstrel, the busker was called “A truly magical being who loved learning, smiling and entertaining others with his crazy bead hula-hoop act.”
Ms Ng noted that during the lockdown due to Covid, Mr Oh continued to practice swinging his beads at the HDB carpark in Toa Payoh in order to remain active and healthy.
However, he was also “READING PLATO AND SOCRATES and other philosophical texts,” Ms Ng wrote in amazement.
“It was a joy getting to know him through the making of Singapore Minstrel…
He was weathered, strong and jolly. He kept busking even after a busking permit was denied him some years back.
Once I asked him, what makes you most sad? ‘我的孙不喜欢吃菜My grandchildren don’t like to eat vegetables.’”
The artist expressed her gratefulness for what Mr Oh stood for, “Uncle, thank you for your work on the streets – not just any street but on glitzy Orchard Road in your recognisable busking uniform, living evidence of something marvellously eccentric and grassroots, defying what this nation will do to us.
‘Orchard Road, a great street!’ (says the Tourism Board) – because of buskers like you.
May you find peace, magic and play in other realms.”
Netizens commenting on the news of his passing fondly remembered the beads uncle.
/TISG
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