The Baju Kurung is very comfortable and can be stylish if you know how to carry it off.

If you’re looking at a choice of traditional Malay dresses, your shortlist would almost certainly have the humble baju kurung. It’s versatile, suitable for the festive seasons, at formal functions or even as office attire.

The dress is meant to be worn loosely and is rather conservative looking. Still, it has its own special characteristics, which represents grace and tradition for the Malays.

According to fashion expert Salikin Sidek, despite being branded ‘old fashion’ and conservative, the baju kurung is still popular.

“Baju kurung will always remain popular even though it’s perceived as ‘outdated’ by some’,” said the renowned fashion designer who is known for being the champion of traditional Malay dresses such as the baju kurung and baju kebaya.

“It’s very comfortable and can be stylish if you know how to carry it off with the right accessories like the selendang and brooches.”

According to Salikin, a typical baju kurung is worn with a sarong. This sarong can be tied in a style known as the “ikatan ombak mengalun” where the knot is tied at one side of the sarong, either on the right or left depending on the wearer’s convenience.

“This style is preferred because it’s more practical and easy for walking when you take big strides.

“Those days, the village women will have a “kain kelubung” to cover their heads as they leave their houses. This is a sort of head-cover to shade from the blazing sun or it’s simply used as a shawl,” explained Salikin.

Sometimes, the sarong is used in the form of “kain berdagang luar” where the sarong, tied at waist level, is worn over the baju kurung. This sarong is usually made of kain telepok, songket, gerus or kain batik.

Elegant Baju Kebaya

Another popular traditional Malay costume is the kebaya, which, unlike the baju kurung, is a figure-hugging dress.

The materials used are often made of lace, and is heavily embroidered. It is normally worn with a batik sarong, a tight-fitting long skirt that has a slit in front; a plain long skirt; or a wrap around.

However, the kebaya has been revolutionised, and is more versatile these days. The younger generation is wearing kebaya tops with flared skirts, jeans, palazzo pants or pareo, while the kebaya itself is worn like a loose top with a camisole inside.

“Unlike baju kurung, kebaya looks more alluring and elegant. The outfit looks more gracious if you combine it with a long selendang. However, not many Malaysian women will opt for kebaya especially those who are conscious about their figure.

The kebaya, unlike the baju kurung, is a figure-hugging dress.

“You need a little bit more confidence to carry off baju kebaya compared to baju kurung,” said Salikin who has two boutiques in Ampang Park and SACC Mall in Shah Alam.

Whichever type of traditional attire you choose to wear, Salikin’s advice is to wear it elegantly with the right accessories.

“The accessories will enhance the costume and will make you more stylish. But if you dress it down then the whole aura is gone,” said Salikin who has been designing all kinds of traditional costumes for weddings and regular customers.

Types of Traditional Malay Attire

Baju Kurung Teluk Belanga

Baju kurung is the traditional apparel for Malay women in Malaysia. This loose-fitting knee-length baggy baju kurung is worn with a sarung. Normally sarung is worn for casual wear at home.

The Teluk Belanga has a typical neckline with no collar, stitched in the ‘tulang belut or the ‘mata lalat’ style. As the name suggests, this baju kurung hails from Teluk Belanga, the island of Singapore, which was previously the capital state of Johor.

Baju kurung made of songket.

Baju Kurung Cekak Musang

This style of baju kurung has the stylish Mandarin-inspired collar or Cekak Musang. The prominent collar comes with five buttons including two buttons for the collar.

This form of Baju Kurung used to be made of velvet with matching songket. It is often adorned with jewelleries and is usually custom-made especially for traditional Malay weddings.

Modern Baju Kurung

This is the latest and modern approach to baju kurung. Even the modern baju kurung has evolved with time. It is shorter, shapelier and worn with a long skirt and comes in various designs.

Unlike the typical baju kurung, kurung modern top has no pesak. Instead, it’s replaced by zip and darts while the bottom can be a long skirt, A-line skirt, pareo or mermaid skirt.

This bottom skirt also comes in different styles like wrapped, pleated, with or without slit. While the slit can take about 2 feet long either in front, at the side, the back or with just two flaps at the back.

The modern baju kurung has evolved so much that it comes in many forms. You can see modern baju kurung in all kinds of fabrics from satin, songket, chequered, polka dots, geometric patterns, batik, pastel shades and lively colors.

Kebarung or Kebaya Kurung

This is the alternative baju kurung for those who want to wear something different. It is a combination of the baju kebaya and the baju kurung. It is loose and almost reaches the ankles and it is not one of the traditional clothes of the Malay.

The ‘Kebaya Kurung’ has a kebaya cut with long sleeves and fastened at the front using chained brooches. It gives out a comfortable outlook on the whole. Women who are cautious of their figure will opt for this style as it offers maximum comfort and is equally appealing.

Kebaya Labuh or Kebaya Panjang

This style of kebaya looks exactly like the short kebaya but it is longer usually below the knees and worn over a sarung. History has it that the Portuguese women wore this long fitted kebaya in 16th century perhaps being influenced by the women in Sumatra, in North Western Indonesia.

Some say the Chinese heavily influences this attire since the open-fronted long-sleeved tunic reminds one of the dresses worn by women of the Ming Dynasty. Then there is another theory, which said that the Arabs influenced this wonderful kebaya because of the emerging influence of Islam.

The Kebaya Nyonya

The Nyonyas or the Peranakan community often wears this alluring Nyonya Kebaya.

This attire has gradually transformed it into a shapely, embroidered blouse, fastened with a set of chained brooches and worn with a matching hand-drawn batik sarong and beaded slippers.

This distinct Kebaya Nyonya with its intricate and beautiful embroidery is a result of the Nyonyas of inter-marriage Chinese-Malay descendants in the straits of Melaka.

Baju Kurung Kedah

The Baju Kurung and Baju Melayu.

This is a short blouse with a baju kurung neckline and a three-quarter sleeves. It is comfortable and practical as you can move around easily because of the practical and hassle-free design.

It is worn with long skirt or batik sarung or a kain pelikat tied to the front with the grand motif infront. Those days, most married Malay women would wear this attire.

Baju Melayu

While the Malay women opt for Baju Kurung, the Malay men wear Baju Melayu. This shirt-like traditional outfit is divided into three parts. The first is the long sleeved shirt-like fastened together by studs called butang or kancing.

The studs usually made of different types of butang from the normal ones to gold, silver, precious or semi-precious stones. The studs may also be connected with a light metal chain, almost string-like, which will be concealed behind the shirt.

The collar looks like a stiff Mandarin collar known as the Cekak Musang. The second part is the trousers. These two parts are often made out of the same type of fabric.

The third is the kain samping, a skirt-type adornment, which is folded around the waist. This kain samping is made of kain tenun, kain songket or simply kain pelikat. To completeson the whole attire, baju Melayu is often worn with a headgear called songkok. – By ZIEMAN

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Mirrors George Town is a street art project by international artist Ernest Zacharevic, commissioned  for George Town Festival 2012.  (25 Photos)

The project consists of several large-scale wall paintings, all located within the core heritage zone of George Town, Penang.

The idea behind the project was to turn the streets of Penang into an open-air gallery that can be admired and experienced as one takes a walk while exploring the heritage enclave. The murals – figure drawings and portraits – celebrates the multiculturalism and diversity of the city’s inhabitants, the living heritage of George Town.

George Town Festival (GTF), as described on the official website “is a month-long celebration of art, music, theatre, dance opera and film to commemorate George Town’s inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage listing on July 7, 2008. Each year since 2009, GTF transforms George Town into an exciting and unique platform for the arts, heritage and culture.”

Below are snapshots of the project Mirrors George Town, photos of which were provided to allMalaysia.info by the Lithuanian artist’s official Website and Facebook.

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Penang Road

Muntri Street

Chew Jetty

Armenian Street

Ah Quee Street

Ah Quee Street

Ah Quee Street

Cannon Street

Cannon Street

Artist at work.

Zacharevic’s eight-year-old art student was the inspiration for the mural at Lebuh Muntri.

Zacharevic mixes colours to get the right tone.

The Jalan Muntri mural.

The artist’s tools.

A close up of the Chew Jetty mural.

Art imitates life.

The Chew Jetty mural mirrors the life of the people living there.

The artist, busy at work.

Balancing act.

Setting the scene.

The artist poses next to his masterpiece at Chew Jetty at dusk.

A curious audience.

Interactive art.

Zacharevic proved to be a hit with the locals.

It’s not just about paint and brushes.

 

Map: Mirrors George Town murals

Video: Mirrors, George Town – Armenian Street, 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9AY2u-bdPo

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P. Ramlee – Most if not all Malaysians will agree that this legendary figure’s significant contribution to the local entertainment scene helped define the industry in Malaysia and across the region.

Tan Sri P. Ramlee (March 22, 1929 - May 29, 1973)

Mention Teuku Zakaria bin Teuku Nyak Pute to locals as a key personality in the entertainment world, and you will probably receive puzzling looks.

Teuku Zakaria was better known as P. Ramlee – an entertainment icon during the golden era of Malay movies who help shaped history in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

P. Ramlee’s lack of formal training in the performing arts field was no hindrance to him. This talented man acted in 65 films, directed 34 feature films and sung close to 400 songs – an impressive track record which ran over two decades.

Hari Raya baby

P. Ramlee was born on the first of Hari Raya in 1929, on March 22, to proud parents Teuku Nyak Puteh bin Teuku Karim and Che Mah binti Hussein at No. 4A Counter Hall Road (now known as Jalan P. Ramlee), in Georgetown, Penang. His father had registered his son’s name at school as Ramlee bin Puteh, dropping the Teuku.

The young P. Ramlee attended several schools such as the Kampung Jawa Malay School, Francis Light English School, Penang Free School and during World War 2, he was at the Japanese Navy School Kaigun Gakko. An active schoolboy, he also excelled in the field of sports, doing well in sepak takraw, football and badminton.

The “P” in the iconic name came about when Ramlee first entered a singing competition in Penang in 1947. He had decided to add the initial “P”, from his father’s name Puteh. P. Ramlee’s father himself was from Aceh, Indonesia, which perhaps helped boost the entertainer’s popularity in Indonesia, later on.

P. Ramlee’s interest in music began at a young age, having formed a band called Teruna Sekampung or lads from the village, where one of his roles was to be a song arranger, giving him the experience to learn popular music and trends.

At the same time, he was also showing off his talent as a singer and songwriter in various competitions across Penang, winning top spots and more importantly, getting discovered.

P. Ramlee chatting with Malaysia's first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman.

It was at one of these competitions that P. Ramlee was spotted by Tamil film director B. S. Rajhans in 1948. P. Ramlee had performed his own composition, Azizah at this event. After that discovery, and as the famous saying goes, the rest is history.

P. Ramlee was offered to work in the Malay Films Productions as a back-up singer. This company was a film studio set up by the Shaw Brothers in 1947 in Singapore. From here, he earned his first roles in Chinta, Nasib and Noor Asmara. He went on to star in 20 movies before having the opportunity to direct for the first time in 1955, for the movie Penarek Becha or Trishaw Man.

Trio winning factor

One of the more popular themes that P. Ramlee has created and produced was the Bujang Lapok or Dowdy Bachelors series. The combination of P. Ramlee, S. Shamsuddin and Aziz Sattar made the movies a success, and still popular among today’s Malay contemporary film watchers. The three worked together on Bujang Lapok, Pendekar Bujang Lapok (Dowdy Bachelor Warriors) and Ali Baba Bujang Lapok.

The three-star combination worked as well for other films like Laksamana Do Re Mi (Admirals Do Re Mi) and Nasib Do Re Mi (the Fate of Do Re Mi), where he starred with A. R. Tompel and Ibrahim Din. These trio-styled films were a mix of drama and comedy, proved to be a delight among audiences.

P. Ramlee continued to work on various films as he moved around in the production circuits in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur in the 1960s.

He not only acted in the movies that he directed, P. Ramlee also composed, wrote and sang the major tracks in these films. The genre of music he covered ranges from joget to jazz. The last song he composed was Ayer Mata Di Kuala Lumpur (Tears in Kuala Lumpur) in 1973.

P. Ramlee also left an indelible mark in television. He was instrumental in the production of two television series – Intan and Rantau Selamat. He wore the director’s hat in plays as well, namely Jiwa Putera Melayu, Sultan Mahmood Mangkat Di Julang and Sam Pek Ang Tai. In radio, P. Ramlee produced several radio dramas.

P. Ramlee played the lead role in the film Hang Tuah which won the Best Musical Score in the Third Asian Film Festival in Hong Kong in 1956. P. Ramlee is seen here with actress Zaiton Abdullah.

Award-winning work

P. Ramlee’s brilliance on the silver screen and across the entertainment world did not go unnoticed. This entertainment icon’s work received international recognition at film festivals in Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan. As early as 1956, he was awarded the Best Musical Score for the film Hang Tuah – Legend of Hang Tuah in the Third Asian Film Festival in Hong Kong.

The following year, P. Ramlee’s outstanding performance earned him the Best Male Actor trophy for his work in Anakku Sazali (My son, Sazali) at the Fourth Asian Film Festival in Tokyo.

At the seventh and 10th installation of the Asian Film Festival, he received the award for Best Comedy Film for Nujum Pak Belalang (Pak Belalang, the fortune teller) and Most Versatile Talent for Ibu Mertua Ku (My Mother In-Law). His comical take on a tale of a man with three wives in Madu Tiga (Three Sweethearts) led him to win the Best Comedy Film for the same film festival in 1964, held in Taipei.

Family and life

The Legendary Trio of Do Re Mi: (From right) P. Ramlee, A.R Tompel and Ibrahim Din were to emerge as mainstays in the comic tradition of Malay cinema.

This legendary artiste married three times, first to Junaidah Daeng Harris in 1950. After divorcing her, he married Noorizan Mohd Noor in 1955, but the couple divorced in 1961. The same year, P. Ramlee married singer Salmah Ismail or more popularly known as Saloma. He had a total of seven children from these relationships, three of whom were adopted. He also had a stepson.

His son, Mohamad Nasir P. Ramlee carried on his father’s legacy, by starring and directing sequels to his father’s films. He also put together recordings of new renditions of his father’s songs.

The legend lives on

P. Ramlee was 44 years old when he died of heart attack in 1973. The Malay artiste was buried at the Muslim cemetery in Jalan Ampang in Kuala Lumpur. His strong influence on Malay popular culture is reflected in modern Malay productions and songs. P. Ramlee’s classic movies continue to be a hit amongst today’s viewers, as television stations air reruns of his famous titles, and production houses churn DVD copies of his award-winning work.

Walking in Kuala Lumpur, visitors can appreciate the honour given to this talented individual, as major roads like Jalan Parry was renamed to Jalan P. Ramlee in 1982 and a memorial dedicated to his work was set up in 1986. In the 1990s, P. Ramlee was awarded with the title of Tan Sri posthumously.

His birthplace has been turned into a memorial, offering the opportunity for fans and visitors to enjoy and appreciate P. Ramlee’s contribution to the entertainment industry in Malaysia and the region.

Reference:

• James Harding and Ahmad Sarji, P. Ramlee – The Bright Star, MPH Publications, 2002, 2011 Reprint
• National Library Singapore

Map: P. Ramlee Memorial Gallery

Video: P. Ramlee in Antara Dua Darjat (1960). Song: Getaran Jiwa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD8SwfaqD9s

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Graffiti is often viewed negatively, and associated to juvenile acts and vandalism.  But, Malaysia offers graffiti artists a unique platform to express themselves, both as a form of art and service to the community.

Having begun as an activity that was frowned upon, Malaysian street art has come a long way, with graffiti gaining mainstream acceptance.

While some parts of Kuala Lumpur is still “painted” with a fair share of ugly graffiti, genuine street art is allowed as a form of expression and beautification.

Genuine street art is accepted as a form of expression and beautification in Kuala Lumpur.

Visitors walking along the Klang river towards Central Market will be pleased to note that street art is used to beautify the river banks.

Street art is celebrated along the river through an urban art event, called the KUL SIGN festival.  This event began in 2010 and is a collaboration between street artists and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall. The strong encouragement from local authorities allow street artists the freedom and creativity to work their magic.

The festival has grown since it first started, attracting not only local street artists but also enthusiasts from countries like Italy, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong and Sweden.

The most recent installment of the festival was held in February, ending with the completion of several larger-than-life-sized painting on the concrete river banks.

The strong encouragement from local authorities allow street artists the freedom and creativity to work their magic.

The once grey and drabby river banks of the Klang River come alive with designs and amazing creations from talented Malaysian artists.  Spray paintings and stencils are creatively used to turn an unattractive structure into a work of art to be appreciated by all.

The good work of graffiti artists does not stop there.

Organisers of KUL SIGN started a wall art project at secondary schools, called “Gempaknya my school!”  where artists teach students about art design and wall art graffiti, aiming to eliminate the stigma linked to street art and graffiti.  The project also educates the school community on beautificiation methods through street art.

A street artist at work during the KUL Sign Festival 2012 in Kuala Lumpur.

The first school that participated in this programme was Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sri Permata in Kelana Jaya.  Students were given the chance to have a go at one of the walls of the school’s block, learning the right techniques of spray painting.  They also unleashed their creativity on school shoes, coming up with dynamic and colourful designs.

Map: Klang River, Kuala Lumpur

Video: KUL Sign Festival 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IasQj4Kh6SE

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More Malaysians are getting together to strum in the park.

It is small, portable and a great conversation starter. It sounds like the sea lapping at the shore on a lazy afternoon. And, it is disarmingly funny to look at.

As one travelling ukulele enthusiast once remarked after jamming with the Malaysian Ukulele Group (MUG) for the first time: “How can standing amongst a group of people strumming in synchrony on tiny little guitars, be anything other than humorous and joyful?”

Sweet crooner: Interior designer Sofia Syed Ramli performing during one of Malaysia Ukulele Group’s monthly uke jams.

The ease with which outsiders are welcomed into the arms of Malaysia’s growing ukulele community is testament to the mellow, happy effect this instrument seems to have on people.

In Kuala Lumpur, MUG has become the roof over many ukulele loving heads. In fact, attending one of their jam sessions might have you believing that the ukulele could just be the answer to world peace.

Well, if not world peace, then perhaps a little harmonious relaxation in the park.

Since last year, the ukulele has been making waves at the centre of a close knit, friendly and growing community.

Sofia Syed Ramli’s story sets the scene as to how it grew and how it brought her and her honey-coated mahogany voice, out of its shell.

Having moved to Kuala Lumpur from her hometown in Kuantan, Pahang, the shy interior designer bought a ukulele online to avoid being a couch potato during the weekends.

YouTube was her teacher, and the bedroom walls her only audience, until she found out about a ukulele jam session in Taman Metropolitan, a park in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur.

The jam was organised by ukulele specialist store Ukulele Malaya and MUG, which at this point (early last year) was just a Facebook group.

Sofia, armed with a simple repertoire of chords, began strumming along with the rest of the group.

“They asked me to sing,” she says, “Which I had never done in public before.” Getting over her shyness, she gave it a try. Today, she seems to have become the group’s main singer when it comes to performing, which the group is occasionally asked to do.

Her dense, smooth vocals provide the perfect anchor to a chorus of strumming ukulele-wielders.

As MUG started becoming more active, taking over from Ukulele Malaya as the main organiser for monthly jams, Sofia also got more involved and became the group’s secretary.

“It is so easy to meet people. Coming together to play the ukulele creates this happy atmosphere.”

The group is in the process of registering with the Registrar of Companies. It even has its own emblem, created by illustrator and ukulele lover Lois Loo, also known by her blog name “wonderkitten”.

The emblem references the Malaysian Coat of Arms to a degree; it has two tigers on either side of a brown ukulele with a sound hole shaped like the 14-point Federal Star.

However, the tigers are each seen holding up one little red heart, whilst a cascade of little ukuleles float around them like gold autumn leaves – symbolising the expression and sharing of love and happiness through coming together to play, listen or sing to the ukulele.

Their motto, “Uke nited As One” was MUG vice-president Satria Utama’s idea.

Inspired by the ukulele’s unique ability to bring people of all ages and races together, Satria, a painter from Sabah, founded the Sabah Ukulele Group Orkes Akiuku.

Members of the Malaysia Ukulele Group (from L-R): Khairil Faizi, Fuad Shahminan, Sofia Syed Ramli, Doreen Lim, Aid Ibnor Yazis and Satria Utama.

“The uke is easy to learn, it only has four strings and the chords are much more simple than those of a guitar, so everyone can get together and strum a song.”

“That’s what jam sessions are all about. We get together, make new friends, exchange chords, show off a new song we’ve learnt …”

The sessions also entail deciding on a song to sing as a group. Generally someone will spend a couple of minutes teaching everyone the chords, then a few minutes of practice will ensue before everyone plays or sings together.

“MUG is a community,” explains Satria, adding that informal gatherings have spawned smaller ukulele bands, by groups of like-minded people who met through jamming sessions.

Satria’s band “Oklille” for example, mixes Hawaiian and Indonesian keroncong style chords and strumming, to create a unique hybrid sound.

“The ukulele is so versatile, you can do any genre with it – folk, Hawaiian, country, reggae and even rock,” he says with a smile, strumming a sample of one of these songs, which sounds just as dreamy as the home-made dreamcatcher that dangles decoratively from the neck of his ukulele. – By NATALIE HENG

The Malaysia Ukulele Day – organised by MUG, in collaboration with Ukulele Malaya - was recently celebrated at at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, KL on March 17.  To learn more about the event or similar ukulele gatherings and jam sessions, or to find out about the Malaysia Ukulele Group, visit malaysiaukulelegroup.com.

Video: Malaysia Ukulele Group jam session on Malaysia Ukulele Day 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlSuZMX0nbo

The post Growing community of ukulele enthusiasts in Malaysia appeared first on allMalaysia.info - allMalaysia.info - Anything, Everything, All About Malaysia.

To commemorate its 40th anniversary in 2011, The Star published a coffee table book honouring its “hotshots” or photographers. (27 Photos)

The book, which provides a window back in time, reads as a pictorial chronicle of Malaysia as a growing nation.

In her introduction to the book, Managing Editor June H.L Wong sums it up rather succinctly, “…we have put together a selection we believe defines a nation through its growing years. The photographs in this book – including many that are published for the first time – capture some of the most significant, memorable, inspiring, humorous and tragic news makers and events in Malaysia (and the world), as shot by The Star’s team of hardworking photographers over four decades. This is our tribute to their vision, skills and talent. This is their story.”

Here’s 27 photos taken from the book.

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The late Datuk Mokhtar Dahari, then representing Selangor, holding the 1979 Malaysia Cup after his team beat bitter rival Singapore 2-0. Mokhtar scored 320 goals in his career, making him the all-time top scorer for both Selangor and Malaysia. - C.H. LOH/1979

Dr Mahathir in deep thought while looking out of the Putra World Trade Centre during a break at the 2003 Umno General Assembly, a year after he announced his desire to retire at the same occasion. - SIA HONG KIAU/2003

One of Malaysia's best loved and most recognisable animal icons, Wira the orang utan, with his trainer Daud Majid, at Zoo Negara. - S.S. KANESAN/1989

The North-South Expressway (NSE) has made travelling up and down Peninsular Malaysia fast, convenient and safer but at a price: motorists pay at toll plazas like this one at Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur. Opened in September 1994, it is Malaysia's longest expressway; the 772km-NSE stretches from Bukit Kayu Hitam in the north to Johor Baru in the south. - RICKY LAI/2007

Bomoh (shaman) Mona Fandey fascinated the nation throughout her trial for the gruesome murder of Batu Talam assemblyman Datuk Mazlan Idris. Mona (real name Maznah Ismail) always had a smile for the cameras, even after she was convicted. She was sentenced to death in 1995, together with her husband, Mohd Affandi Abdul Rahman and their assistant, Juraimi Hussin. - MOHD SAHAR MISNI/1997

Malaysia's foremost environmentalist Gurmit Singh was an advocate for sustainable development long before the term became fashionable. In the early years, he would resort to antics like donning a mask to get his message across, as he did on World Environmental Day 1979. - C.H. LOH/1979

The Kuala Lumpur Stormwater Management And Road Tunnel (SMART), a project by MMC Corp Bhd-Gamuda Bhd Joint Venture. SMART was hailed as a masterpiece with a dual purpose: it can channel away stormwater to prevent flooding in certain parts of Kuala Lumpur, and when it is not being used for that, vehicular traffic can run through it, shortening commute time. Completed and operational by May 2007, this is the longest stormwater tunnel in South-East Asia. - CHUA KOK HWA/2005

An arresting portrait of an old performer with the Teochew Chinese Opera troupe in Penang, who captivates the audience with his vibrant make-up and costume. - CHRIS LIM/2005

The "Singing Lawyer", Datuk Sudirman Haji Arshad (1954-1992) advocated a united Malaysia in his songs. As a performer, he was infectiously lively, cheeky and entertaining. - ZUBIR YAHYA/1984

Melanau youths indulging in a spot of fun by swinging on a giant tibou swing constructed from lashed merbau wood during the annual Kaul festival, celebrated by the tribe in Sarawak. - RAPAEE KAWI/2010

In the more relaxed and liberal times of the 1970s, X-rated movies were regular offerings in Malaysian cinemas. - GARY LEONG

The Star was given one of the three coveted slots for Malaysian press photographers to cover the Beijing Olympics which yielded a gold mine of great images like this shot of the spectacular opening ceremony. - KAMARUL ARIFFIN/2008

The devastating earthquake that hit densely populated Yogyakarta may have destroyed this family's home, but their faith isn't shaken, as they perform their zohor prayers amidst the ruins. - AZHAR MAHFOF/2006

Accomplished in ballet, modern and Indian classical dances, Ramli Ibrahim (right) has performed internationally for over three decades. As the artistic director of the Sutra Dance Theatre, Ramli has choreographed exquisite works and nurtured many promising dance talents from Malaysia, and is credited for establishing Odissi as a widely appreciated dance form. - M. AZHAR ARIF/2009

A Libyan rebel mans his post at dusk at the city of Brega as he awaits orders to march to the city of Sirte, a stronghold of President Muammar Gaddafi. - KAMARUL ARIFFIN/2011

A massive rockslide on Nov 26, 2003, sends 20,000 tonnes of boulders crashing onto a stretch of the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE), near the Bukit Lanjan interchange in Selangor. The highway was impassable for two weeks, disrupting the daily commute for over one million vehicles. - LOW BOON TAT/2003

Padi farmer Sian Cheugi, 38, named his dog Dam but the canine companion could do little to hold back the floodwaters from his master's fields at Kampung Kubang Chenok in Jitra, Kedah, after three days of relentless rain. - G.C. TAN/2011

On Jan 10, 1982, a Cessna 206 piloted by the late Tun Ghazali Shafie crashed in the jungle of Janda Baik, Pahang. Ghazali (who was nicknamed King Ghaz for the tremendous influence he wielded as Home Minister) survices unscathed. His co-pilot, Vergis Chacko, and Ghazali's aide de camp, ASP Charon Daam, died in the crash. The photo above of Ghazali's wife Puan Sri Khatijah Abdul Majid (right) consoling Jessie Teaw (Charon's widow) at his funeral won photographer Ng Ah Bak the Malaysian Press Institute Press Photographer of the Year Award 1983.

The much revered PAS spiritual leader, Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, sharing a light moment with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad during a briefing on state-wide floods at the Kelantan secretariat building in 1999. - RAJA SHAMSUL BAHREN/1999

Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (right) and Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak raising their hands to celebrate their victory in a somewhat subdued atmosphere during the 2008 general election that saw the ruling Barisan Nasional losing its two-thirds majority in Parliament for the first time since 1969. - AZHAR MAHFOF/2008

Karpal Singh (far right, standing), then state assemblyman for Bukit Gelugor, in one of his famous verbal sparring sessions with Penang Chief Minister, the late Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu (standing, left). - NG AH BAK/1980

Tunku Abdul Rahman taking a closer look at The Star after the launch of the new printing press in 1985 in Penang. On his right is Star Publications managing director, the late Gabriel Lee. - NG AH BAK/1985

In the early years, the newspaper focused on local issues and activities such as belacan-making on Pulau Aman, an islet southeast of Penang island, and home to an idyllic Malay fishing village. - NG AH BAK/1981

The laptop proves to be an indispensable tool for photographers and reporters alike, especially when they have to work out of press rooms, like this one at the 24th SEA Games in Korat, Thailand. - CHIN CHENG YEANG/2007

"Believe in the unbelievable, dare to dream, and never take no for an answer" is trailblazing entrepreneur Tan Sri Tony Fernandes' motto that has enabled "Everyone to fly" after launching budget airline AirAsia in 2001. AirAsia has since flown over 100 million passengers across 20 nations, and inspired various similar low cost carriers in the region. - BRIAN MOH/2005

A crowd of curious Malaysians welcoming Queen Elizabeth II at Foch Avenue (now Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock), Kuala Lumpur, during her first visit to Malaysia in 1972.

The King of Pop, the late Michael Jackson, signing autographs for children of Rumah Ozanam at the Concorde Hotel during his visit to Kuala Lumpur for a one-night only concert in October 1996. - BONNIE YAP/1996

 

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The gambus or Arabian oud is a stringed instrument with a body shaped like a pear (sliced lengthwise) and a neck bent just below the tuning pegs. It is played in a variety of styles in Malay folk music, primarily as the lead instrument in Ghazal music.

Its 12 nylon strings are usually attached in double course and are plucked, much like a guitar, with a plastic plectrum. However, unlike a guitar, the gambus has no frets.

Farid Ali aka Mr Gambus.

Brought into Malaya by the Persian and Middle Eastern traders, the instrument’s gentle tone (similar to that of the harpsichord) captured the hearts of the Malays who in time adopted the instrument and the playing techniques into their music.

What gives the gambus its unique sound is the way it is constructed. Much skill is needed to put together the combination of pieces of suitable wood.

It is usually made from rosewood, mahogany or wood from the local jackfruit tree. The wood is cut into strips about 2.5cm wide which are then fitted, one at a time, over a wooden frame before they are carefully glued and left to dry.

The sounds of the gambus reaches out to today’s generation through the efforts of musicians such as  Farid Ali – popularly known as Mr. Gambus – who has managed, somewhat, to dispel the perception that the music of gambus is strictly traditional and not contemporary.

Video: Performance by Farid Ali aka Mr. Gambus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO9kQNL6pA4

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The food specialties on Hainan island are different from the Hainanese cuisine we get here.

The Hainanese chicken rice that you get at most restaurants isn’t made according to the original recipe, I was told by several people whom I had interviewed. The chicken rice you get contains a lot of margarine, which shouldn’t be the case. The original way of cooking Hainanese chicken rice is to first stir-fry the uncooked rice with garlic. The chicken itself is filled with crushed ginger before boiling. And everything is cooked using the stock and broth made from the chicken.

The Hainanese chicken rice, with its boiled chicken, may be the ubiquitous Hainanese dish, with some Singaporeans laying claim to it as their “national dish”. There are many more dishes that are part of the Hainanese cuisine – yam duck, mutton stew, assam fish, curry kapitan, among others. There is also the inchee kaybin (sometimes also spelled as inche kabin), which is fried chicken that is crunchy on the outside but soft and juicy on the inside, served with prawn crackers.

The famous Hainanese chicken rice is unique to this region. You won't find it on Hainan island in China, where the famous Hainanese chicken dish is the Wenchang Chicken.

As Charles Wong of Hainanese Delights explained to me, in means “to marinate”, chee means “to fry”, kay is “chicken” and bin means “slices.” Other names, such as “curry kapitan”, may have resulted from someone mishearing a cook’s answer to a query by his colonial master (“Curry, captain!”).

Famous Western dishes that have been modified by the Hainanese chefs include chicken chop, chicken pie and even pizza. Some of the elderly caretakers of Fraser’s Hill, I was told, make marmalade and scones that are so famous, visitors from other countries return time and again to seek them out.

Others, like Joe Hoo of Ping Wah Restau­rant in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, have their own signature dishes. On my visit to his outlet, Hoo showed off his Hainan-style choy por egg, which is thick but incredibly soft like tofu.

Wong, meanwhile, beamed with pride as he offered his macaroni pie, made with chicken, carrots, mushrooms and macaroni, which he claimed is not found anywhere else in Penang.

However, most, if not all, of the Hainanese dishes found in South-East Asia are not found on Hainan island. Instead Hainan has its own signature Hainanese cuisine.

There are four dishes that may be called the island’s main specialties. The Wenchang chicken is probably what inspired the Hainanese chicken rice. (Wenchang is a city in Hainan.) The free-range chicken used is boiled and then rubbed with a special seasoning which consists of ginger, garlic, soy sauce, salt and orange juice.

An example of the innovative culinary skills of the Hainanese...the Macaroni Pie at Hainanese Delights restaurant in Penang, is a western dish modified to suit local tastes.

The second dish is the Jiaji duck, which is known for the duck’s tender flesh and soft, brittle bones. The key to this is the way the duck is fed, the feed being a mixture of cereal, beancurd and other stuff. The Jiaji duck is also believed to have medicinal qualities.

The third “must-try” dish is the Dongshan goat, which originates from the Wanning area. The meat is usually stewed, roasted or braised in coconut milk.

Lastly there is the Hele crab, which is known for its oily, yellow meat. It is steamed and served with ginger, garlic and vinegar. – By ALLAN KOAY

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A passion for wokking

The Datun Julud or hornbill dance is an Orang Ulu traditional women’s dance that is popular among the Kenyah tribe of Sarawak.

It was once performed during communal celebrations such as the one to greet returning warriors of a headhunting raid, or during the annual celebration that marks the end of a rice harvest season.

The Datun Julud was said to have been created by a Kenyah prince called Nyik Selung, to symbolise happiness and gratitude.

Datun Julud

Today, the Datun Julud has become a dance of formal entertainment that is often performed in the rumah panjang (longhouse) to greet visitors and tourists.

A solo dancer, a barefooted woman, usually begins the dance, moving spontaneously with a fluid motion to emulate a hornbill in flight. Gracefully,  gently, the dancer moves her arms, legs and torso, careful to keep her head erect and motionless so as to keep her earrings – heavy brass ornaments that dangle from elongated earlobes – from swaying too much.

The dancer is usually dressed in a colourful sarong and an elaborate headdress, which is adorned with protruding tufts symbolising the deities. To represent the wings of the hornbill, she holds beautiful fans made out of the feathers of the sacred bird.

After she is done, another woman takes her place, and this goes on until all the women in the longhouse have each taken their turn. On various occasions, the dance is performed by a group of up to four women.

The Datun Julud is often accompanied by the beautiful sounds of the sape, a traditional lute peculiar to the Orang Ulu community or “upriver people” of central Borneo. Two sapes, one three-stringed, the other four-stinged; are customarily played together for the dance. Oftentimes the dancers are urged on by singing and the clapping of hands.

Video: Datun Julud

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmG9noG3SQo

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Lion dance

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A lion head craftsman and his team took up the challenge of making the largest dragon structure in the country; the result is a sight to behold.

The lion dance master who led several Malaysian troupes to become world champions is also the maker of thousands of lion heads.

Master Siow Ho Phiew and his team from WSH Dragon and Lion Arts also created a record this year with what is believed to be the largest dragon in the country and probably in Southeast Asia.

A great legacy: Siow has been involved in the making of lion and dragons since 1986 and shows no sign of retiring.

The giant dragon is at the concourse area of Pavilion KL, and even made it to the front page of The Star.

“The dragon is five times the size of a normal dragon used for the dance,” said Siow when interviewed at his workshop in Subang.

“The head alone is 3.05m-long (10ft), while the body stretches up to 183m (600ft). It took us two months to complete,” he said.

With his team’s expertise, a normal-sized dragon would usually take 10 days while a lion about one week.

The celebrity: The dragon is definitely the main attraction at the shopping centre.

He said the dragon was the largest ever produced by his workshop, which was established in 1986 after years of coaching lion dance and martial art.

“But for us, the size is not the biggest challenge, but the difficulty in hanging the dragon. The process involved 20 of us and seven hours in total, it was teamwork that made the task possible,” he said.

Siow said the length of the dragon had his team scratching their heads on how to position the mythical creature into a perfect coil up in the air.

Several methods were tried but did not work, in the end, they decided to put steel pipes to support the body before fixing them to the eight huge beams in the mall.

The dragon’s body swirls beautifully with the tail pointing to the ceiling and head facing the main entrance, as if it has just descended from heaven.

He said the giant dragon could be altered for the purpose of dragon dance, and hoped that the shopping centre could propose to the Government to have a major dragon dance parade on National Day using it.

“We have never made a dragon of such massive size, so we were quite apprehensive when we received the order from Pavilion.

“But I believe nothing is impossible if we put our hearts to it, once we’ve agreed on it, we have to do it,” he said.

The workshop is also the birth place of about 600 lions and 30 dragons this year. Siow said the orders have increased, reflecting a better awareness and appreciation of the traditional art.

Making lions and dragons may be a rare art in many modern societies, but Siow has managed to train the younger ones to uphold the tradition. Most of the makers are only in their teens, who are also members of the lion dance troupes.

They are divided into groups to handle different steps of the process, which starts from making the frame with bamboo or rattan, then designing the shape, pasting on white paper, painting and embellishing it before attaching the “tail”.

Gigantic task: Siow oversees the construction of the dragon.

Ng Wai Hong, 32, said he had been with the workshop for 15 years. He paints the lion and dragon heads, he also performs the lion dance with all the breathtaking acrobatic stunts.

“Our lives revolve around the lion, everything we do here is about continuing the legacy.

He said painting the lion or dragon head required the most skills compared with other steps in the making process.

“There’s no specific motif, as long as the designs look good. But it is certainly tiring and time consuming, I can finish painting one lion in 10 hours, on a good day,” he said. – By YIP YOKE TENG, Photos by SAM THAM

Map: Pavilion KL

Video: Discover the auspicious dragon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK44Pt5rHH8

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