More pics HERE XXX
Sunday, January 22, 2017
A detour to the Clan Jetties
Clan jetties of Penang form the last bastion of old Chinese settlements on the Isle - along the waterfront of Penang's Pier (Jetty) facing mainland Malaysia. The people here live on makeshift homes built on stilts; shunning away modern living comforts.
The last I visited the jetties were during my early years in school. Back then there were only a few tug-boats and 'sampans'. Today all that hasn't changed much. The best time to visit the jetties is either dawn or dusk.
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Friday, January 13, 2017
Thursday, January 12, 2017
Hope they get it right this time ...
It's been years the knifing Chettys of Penang have monopolised Penang's Thaipusam procession. They are the money lenders community and have since embezzled millions to their names and have done so in the name Lord Murugan and that too arrogantly. The Chettys even have made Hindhu temples their own and form temple committees comprising only of their clan and no other. What's even worst - some of the temple committee members aren't Malaysians but are the next-of'-kin Indians. Every year millions are siphoned away and the monies are parked in India for themselves. Even the entrusted Trustee is from India who sits on a wealth one simply can't fathom
Hope, from this year onwards these Chetty bastards are not given excess to any money collection or any rights to Thaipusam and are expunged from society outrightly. Penang Thaipusam belongs to the Hindhus of Penang and not to the money-hungry scavenging Chetty bastards.
...more to follow
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Monday, January 09, 2017
Wednesday, January 04, 2017
Monday, January 02, 2017
Thavil virtuoso...Mr. Subramanian
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| Mr. Subramaniam |
Mr. Subramanian, an Indian from Tamil Nadu came to Malaysia as an 'artist' on a work visa to play percussion or thavil. No one actually knew his prowess until he began performing. Over the years I've seen a good number of musicians play the thavil but never like this saintly man. This was a man ingrained into his percussion from the age 7. He could make music talk with ease and with such aplomb.
The mornings and evenings, one can hear his rendition of the Thavil accompanied by the temple's flutist 'Nadaswaramist' serenading within the temple grounds.
Mr. Subramaniam has graced and showcased his talent in many parts of the world. What truly amazing is he had participated in more then 650 temple consecrations in his life time. And he was only 59 the day he left for home - India. There's a saying, a Hindu is blessed if one gets to witness 12 consecrations in one's lifetime. This man, 650.
On his jovial days, he would tell me stories of temples and his vast experiences with people from all walks of life, including Malaysians. On many occasions he invited me to his lil' abode and made me cakes and brewed coffee and on one chat moment he nonchalantly said, "You're the first and only person I've ever invited to my little room and for that I'm deeply honoured." Reason being no one would take time to befriend or appreciate old Indian classical music or mudician. No grand master musician would ever do as such. Guess I was the luckiest one having graced his companionship.
Mr. Subramanian even shared with me his inner secrets and misgivings of how he was sometimes ill-treated by the temple committee. At times he would pose a look of despair and felt ostracised. There were times he told me of the misbehaviour of certain individuals in the temple, including the temple's priest. Secrets no one talks about within temple grounds.
It was indeed a pleasure listening his percussion 'talk'. I truly enjoyed my time with this fatherly figure and listening to him play his pet instrument was such a pleasure.
I bid him well and God speed.
Sunday, January 01, 2017
Welcome 2017...
Wishing you and all a fabulous 2017 year.
I take this opportunity to bid farewell and
God speed to Mr. Barack Obama and family.
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