A native of Karuvakurichi village, near Mannargudi town in Tamil Nadu, S. Appavoo Kandiar was a general contractor specializing in pipe and cable laying, handling of cargo and a concrete bricks supplier. Mr.Kandiar was a successful contractor; called a millionaire by the Straits Times in 1957, he owned properties in Bukit Timah and Coronation Road areas. He was a contemporary of Indian pioneers such as P.Govindasamy Pillai, Govindasamy Sarangapany, Pakkirisami Pillai, and had friendly associations with them.
