Alan Teh Leam Seng
A visit to the Pearl of the Orient will give you the opportunity to delve into the many interesting aspects of Malaysia's vibrant Indian society.
A motorcyclist whizzes past before grinding to a halt a short distance away.
Dawn has just broken and vendors are starting to arrive at Penang's popular Lorong Kulit Flea Market.
Alert customers lurking in the vicinity make a beeline for the new arrivals with hopes of picking up prized collectibles on the cheap.
Joining the frenzied crowd, a pile of old magazines eventually come into possession.
Scrutinising each one closely, they turn out to be Indian Movie News publications from the early 1960s.
Still in remarkably good condition, these much sought after periodicals harken back to the days when cinemas and theatres were primary entertainment sources for the masses.
JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY
While the captivating star-studded pages result in an immediate decision to acquire the precious hoard, it is the Wembley Amusement Park address of the newsstand where these magazines were originally sold some six decades ago that prompts an immediate trip to the heart of George Town.
Affectionately known to Penangites as Choon Man Hui, this prime entertainment venue was the place where European and American theatrical troupes as well as Malay bangsawan, Chinese opera and Indian dramatic ensembles captivated the imagination of their enthralled audiences.
Although the Lebuh Noordin site is home to The Wembley — A St Giles Hotel and Cititel Express Penang today, reminders of the distant past can still be seen and felt at these two top city hotels which are equally popular among tourists as well as business travellers.
While the well-loved 1958 The Kingdom and The Beauty movie banner on Cititel Express Penang's facade refreshes memory of the famous Wembley cinema, it is The Wembley — A St Giles Hotel's sumptuous Spice of Life buffet spread that nudges recollections of tantalising local delicacies and snacks sold at Wembley Amusement Park stalls and restaurants that were savoured by people from all walks of life in the past.
INDIAN CULTURE
An after-lunch walk leads from the second floor Wembley Cafe to the lobby fronting Jalan Magazine.
There, an intricate kolam sparks lively conversations with friendly hotel serve staff who happily volunteer information about the celebrated floor drawing while making last-minute adjustments.
Often appearing during important Indian festivals like Deepavali, the kolam traditionally serves charitable purposes as insects and other creatures can feed on the design's edible grains that are coloured with vegetable dyes.
Apart from adding aesthetic value, it wards off evil spirits while welcoming prosperity, good health and happiness.
Further insight into the wonders of Indian culture surfaces after a brief bus ride from the nearby Komtar Bus Terminal to Jalan Macalister's much-talked-about Indian Heritage Museum.
Home to some 2,000 important artefacts housed in a spacious stand-alone building owned by the Penang Hindu Endowment Board, this historical repository is the labour of love for Prakash Jakathesan and his wife, Punita Mutiah.
Serving as an important cultural and learning space for visitors, the museum uses striking old photograph and century-old antique displays to weave a spellbinding tale of Indian diaspora in Malaysia and highlight the countless contributions of the hardworking migrants towards the prosperity and sustained progress of our nation.
The diverse paraphernalia herald recollections of past essential occupations powered by the Indian community, like goldsmithing, fresh milk delivery, moneylending, rubber tapping as well as barber and laundry services.
Opened about five years ago, the Indian Heritage Museum holds record as the only historical repository of its kind in Malaysia.
Filled with antique tiffin carriers, betel-nut boxes, barber tools and rubber tapping equipment, this popular tourist attraction sparks interest among the young to seek out their own family histories and cherish those lasting memories by passing them down to their own children in future.
Dedicated towards historical preservation, the museum brings century-old photographs to life by displaying actual vintage attires next to their related images.
Spanning a period of more than 100 years, the exhibits shed light on the confluence of various Malaysian cultures that helped shape Indian dressing styles through the ages.
While an attractive figurine of south Indian movie megastar Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran, known popularly by the acronym MGR, as well as related film industry artefacts on display resonate with the movie magazines acquired earlier, it is a shelf filled with entry permits, ship tickets and vaccination certificates near the exit that proves most impactful.
Conjuring images of formidable ocean liners sounding fog horns before finally berthing in Penang after an arduous voyage across the Indian Ocean, these precious memorabilia tell of a time before air travel became affordable to the masses.
INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS
As time passed, the new arrivals established themselves in an enclave bordered by Lebuh Queen, Lebuh King, Lebuh Pasar and Lebuh Gereja.
Known today as Little India, that section of George Town bustled with activity as the enterprising migrants worked hard and invested prudently to become successful business owners.
Acquired wealth gave opportunity for them to send for their families and, together, they called Malaya home.
Reminders of these early pioneers are abound when walking the streets of Little India today.
At Lebuh Pasar, an attractive arch serves as gateway to rows of century-old shop houses selling various necessities from aromatic spices to prayer paraphernalia.
Shaped like a traditional dome with flower motifs on the sides, this landmark serves as a fitting show of appreciation to members of the Indian community for their invaluable contributions towards the progress of Penang as well as our nation as a whole.
The day comes to an end after tucking into a delicious dinner at Lebuh Pasar's Karaikudi Restoran.
Named after a prominent south Indian town where many pioneers embarked on the perilous sea journey to Malaya more than a century ago, the delectable cuisine mirrors the lunch spread savoured earlier at Wembley Cafe, where the use of various spices and fresh local produce highlight the rich and diverse heritage of the various races who proudly call themselves Malaysians.
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