Tag Archives: Travel

Church, Festivals, George Town, Heritage, Music, Travel

Honing Malaysian pipe organ talents

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From left: Leonard, Hannah, Jason & Matthew (courtesy pix Leonard Selva Gurunathan)

For many young musicians, the pipe organ is a daunting and complex instrument. With its massive size, myriad of keys and stops, and powerful sound, it can be intimidating for even the most seasoned musician. However, for those who are willing to put in the time and effort, the pipe organ can be an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling instrument to play.

Leonard on the pipe organ at St George’s Church

Young musicians Matthew Arwinraj Jaya Paul, Jason William and Hannah Thoraisingam seem to have found a good teacher in Leonard Selva Gurunathan in helping them navigate the complexities of this intricate instrument.

A free lunchtime pipe organ recital yesterday at St George’s Church in Penang was a good show that they are on the way to becoming very proficient pipe organ players.

One of the most inspiring things about learning to play the pipe organ is the rich history and tradition that surrounds this instrument.

Matthew with proud grandmum, Rani Rajamoney

The pipe organ has been a staple of Western music for centuries, and has been used in churches, concert halls, and even in popular music.

By mastering this organ, this group of young people are well on their way to being a part of this rich tradition and carrying on a legacy that spans generations.

Leonard and Jason

The latest edition of the George Town Festival has provided an opportunity for Leonard and young pipe organists in Penang to showcase their talent and inspire audiences from all walks of life with their passion for music.

If you happen to be a young pipe organist or nursing aspirations to be one (regardless of age!) there is still one more free recital during this annual arts festival to enjoy and be further inspired by.

See you next Saturday (July 27) at 1pm in the Church of the Assumption along Lebuh Farquhar.

Church of the Assumption

This heritage Roman Catholic church, is home to the country’s oldest pipe organ, where its resident organist and fierce custodian of the instrument, is Leonard.

Join him and his pipe organists as they take you on a (keyboard) journey of Malaysian music and those from around the world, as they try and inspire more people in Penang and elsewhere to make a home for and support the upkeep of pipe organs, while placing Malaysian talents on the world map of pipe organs.

https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/sunday-vibes/2019/08/512028/sir-leonard-rescues-old-lady

Church, George Town, Heritage, Travel

“Branding” a potential saint

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A chapter is dedicated to Sybil in the book “Agent of Change – Essays on the life and times of Archbishop Emeritus Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam”

Malaysia has a candidate for sainthood. While many claim they have no clue of who Sybil Medan Kathigasu is, others have brief recollections of her in their History textbooks.

Sybil is also the only Malayan woman to receive the British Crown’s George Medal for covertly supplying medicine, medical services and refuge to resistance fighters from her home (a shophouse in Papan, Perak) for years during World War II.

The shophouse in Papan, Perak where Sybil worked and lived.

Her legacy is also found in Roman Catholic cathecism books, a movie (Sybil Kathigasu – Apa Dosa Ku), a book she penned “No Dram of Mercy”, while a chapter is dedicated to her in a new book, “Agent of Change – Essays on the life and times of Archbishop Emeritus Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam.”

(The former archbishop who grew up in Batu Gajah, Perak where Sybil was incarcerated during the war, had a strong desire for her to become Malaysia’s first saint, because of his growing years and stories of her faith and courage which were relayed by family and friends.)

“Apart from my dad serving her medically while she was in prison, I feel strongly that Sybil should be made a saint as she has served as a faithful person who sacrificed so many things for the church’s sake and the community around her at the time can attest to it,” Archbishop Emeritus Murphy says in “Agent of Change.”

“Why I chose Sybil,” says Cardinal Sebastian Francis in the book , “is because she is a woman, a lay person (and not a cleric), a wife and mother and also a professional.”

“For the Catholic church,” notes Sebastian, who is also Bishop of Penang, “we are unique and are not taken up by stories of courage.”

“We (the Penang Diocese) have commenced with the collection of data and initial steps for the process of canonisation of (a saint from our soil).

“It is pretty obvious from the initial data that I have received and other sources of information that Sybil was a courageous freedom fighting heroine and we are reasonably convinced that we should proceed with (her canonization).”

His Eminence Cardinal Datuk Seri Sebastian Francis (left) is calling for Sybil’s beatification and canonisation

A movie titled “Sybil” is also reportedly in the making, while an opera “Solace of Papan” is set to open in Selangor this month.

The road to sainthood is a long, complex and expensive one and all help is needed in crafting a memorable and meaningful “brand” for potential candidates.

What qualities and characteristics do or did our potential saint embody? How can we best represent Sybil’s life and achievements through branding?

#sainthood #branding #saints #inspiration #sybilkathigasu #nodramofmercy #agentofchange #solaceofpapan

Sybil is mentioned in various books including ‘912 Batu Road’
Art, George Town, Heritage, Style, Travel

Sparking joy in sketches … the Penang way

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A decade ago, Penang-born Tiffany Choong began sketching daily in her art journal, as part of her Happiness Project.

The self-taught artist discovered the joys of sketching through her global travels, which in turn it is said, gives her “a sense of purpose that fuels her soul.”

Just in time for Christmas, Tiffany presents EVERYDAY PENANG The Art of Joy.

She delivers playful pen and ink sketches, having drawn inspiration from simple objects she takes in daily.

Each sketch takes the reader not only into the “inner Penang” through the eyes of the artist, but is also paired with little pick-me-up quotes and words of wisdom along the way.

The visual treats found on every page of the compact book, is one which will spark joy with Penang residents and Penangites-at-heart, thanks to boutique publisher Clarity Publishing, who has connected Tiffany’s hometown and heritage with themes of love, loss and identity, including traditions and rituals.

As we wind up 2023 with an attitude of gratitude, the book serves as a gentle and colourful reminder to ourselves that “the simple joys of life will always shine through, if we let them.”

Copies of the book are available via https://www.clarity8.com/shopshop/en/gift-book/62-everyday-penang-the-art-of-joy.html

(All images courtesy of Clarity Publishing Sdn Bhd)

George Town, Photography, Sea, Style, Travel

Still flying high …

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The meals may have been way below their past award-winning and ‘atas’ levels, and much has already been said about it in past weeks.

While the airline sorts out its catering dramas, let’s continue to focus and support our national flag carrier – Malaysia Airlines – for its outstanding crew, new planes and all things that remain amazing about Malaysian Hospitality (MH).

Thank you MH1148 for bringing us home safely and on-time today. If there were any food issues to a destination like Penang (which we did not experience), most residents were more focussed on the nasi kandar and char kuay teow awaiting them on this isle of foodies.

Eats, George Town, Homes, Photography, Style

Nailing a good sugee cake

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It is not a place one associates with great sugee (semolina) cake, but this is Penang, and you just never know what lies behind a door, the side of a backlane or even a monsoon drain here!

In this case, it’s a grand mansion by-the-sea, known simply as 32 Mansion. I always admire businesses with simple names coined from their addresses or postcodes. (the street address being 32 Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah).

A visit to this 1920s sea-fronting Italian villa, is a history lesson in itself …

(Extracted from the business operator’s website)

BUILT FOR LEONG YIN KEAN, THE SON OF TIN MAGNATE LEONG FEE, WHO HAD FALLEN IN LOVE WITH ITALY WHILST A STUDENT AT CAMBRIDGE, THIS ELEGANT ITALIANATE VILLA ON GEORGE TOWN’S NORTH BEACH LOOKS OUT OVER GARDENS ONTO THE SEA.
IT WAS DESIGNED BY CHARLES MILLER (OF STARK & MCNEILL) AND IS LOCATED ON “MILLIONAIRE’S ROW” (NORTHAM ROAD BUT NOW RENAMED JALAN SULTAN AHMAD SHAH).

THE MANSION WAS BUILT IN 1926 AND MODELED AFTER THE OPULENT VILLAS IN LONDON’S REGENT’S PARK. SADLY, LIKE MANY OF PENANG’S MANSIONS, IT FELL INTO A STATE OF DISREPAIR AND HAD BEEN USED AS A MOTOR-BIKE CENTRE CALLED BIKER’S PARADISE AND HAD AS MANY AS 30 TENANTS LIVING IN PARTITIONED BLOCKS ALONG ITS ONCE ELEGANT ROOMS.


RESTORED TO ITS FORMER GLORY IN 2000 BY ESCOY HOLDINGS IT IS A MODEL OF HERITAGE CONSERVATION BY ADAPTIVE RE-USE AND IT NOW HOUSES THIRTY-TWO AT THE MANSION AND BEACH BLANKET BABYLON.

Back to their sugee cake … it can be found on Beach Blanket Babylon, or BBB’s dessert menu or pre-ordered as a fresh and buttery takeaway (it’s advisable to order the full-sized sugee cake at least 3 days ahead).

While BBB is better known for its crab laksa, the humble sugee cake has received equal praise from those who appreciate this baked goodness, for which many Eurasian, Peranakan, Chinese and Indian aunties (and uncles) guard the recipes fiercely.

Step into the home so cosily and welcoming created by Kah Hock, for either a slice of his sugee cake or the rest of the great spread offered.

Walk away with not only a satisfied meal, but endless shots of this great home and (it’s grounds) for your countless Instagram and other social media posts!

George Town

Honing the power and possibilities of art in a city

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It’s baaaack!

Save the dates from July 15-30 for yet another edition of the George Town Festival (GTF).

‘Celebrating the Power and Possibilities of the Arts in the City’ is the theme adopted for this 14th edition of what continues to be a promised spectacular celebration of art, culture, and heritage for all to experience.

The festival presents a myriad of outstanding artistic works by Malaysian and international artists, (including those from Penang) featuring productions across varied art forms ranging from traditional, contemporary, experimental, and multidisciplinary.

“This makes George Town Festival 2023 the most exciting iteration in recent years, bridging tangible and intangible heritage through continued global artistic partnership and exchange,” its organisers said in a statement.

GTF was first mooted in 2010 to honour George Town’s inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.

Over a decade later, the festival continues to elevate the visibility of the city’s heritage while creating spaces and platforms for increased cultural engagement through the arts.

“Since its inaugural edition, GTF has become a hallmark event in Malaysia and remains an avenue for creatives, festival-goers and stakeholders to engage with the arts and one another, spurring discussions, bilateral relations, and increased collaborations through and for the arts,” say it’s organisers.

Currently in its 14th edition, GTF 2023 features over 50 programmes with free access to 70% of its shows and events.

The programme line-up (https://georgetownfestival.com/2023/programmes_/the-monkey-king-adventures-love-of-onibaba/# ) includes several premiering and debut productions, indigenous-ethnic-cultural performances, digital installations, books and game launches, community-based events, and a series of arts masterclasses, workshops, and forums.

They will be spread across 20 over locations in George Town and the wider Penang area.

To further stimulate global artistic partnerships, GTF 2023 will facilitate performances and events between artists from East and West Malaysia and creative exchange with Taiwan and Australia.

This year, the festival is partnering with the Australian High Commission as a channel to honour the 50th-anniversary celebration of George Town and Adelaide as sister cities.

A highlight of this is ‘The Senses’ which will present a sensory and immersive musical experience within the naturescapes of Penang Hill’s 130-million-year-old rainforest.

In its effort to deepen awareness and appreciation of traditional art forms, GTF 2023 also includes several ethnic-traditional cultural performances to help elevate the visibility of intangible heritage in Penang and beyond.

Highlights in the programme are Panggung Semar, bhumiMATA, and The Monkey King Adventures: Love of Onibaba.

George Town Festival 2023 is a project by George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI), organised by TLM Event, and endorsed by the Penang State Government and the Penang State EXCO for Tourism and Creative Economy.

It is fully supported by the City Council of Penang Island and Penang Global Tourism.

(all images courtesy of George Town Festival)

Eats, George Town, Travel

Breakfast of (local) Champions

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They are usually up at the crack of dawn to prepare the batter of rice flour, eggs and sugar for their ‘apom manis’, which is known to locals as apam, apom lenggang and local crepes or pancakes.

Ravi (above) and his wife Devi (below) greet all customers with warm smiles and have no problems with remembering orders or the sequence they are placed.

Bone and I had a lovely time today watching them deftly prepare our special order and place them expertly in plastic containers with their signature banana leaf for styling purposes.

The humble push cart located outside the New Cathay coffee shop in Pulau Tikus, George Town is frequented by locals and tourists from 7.30am till around 11am from Mondays till Saturdays. Takeaways have and continue to be enjoyed by local and foreign royalty, and other dignitaries.

A pack of 5 apom manis is priced at RM4 and no accompaniments are needed as they melt in your mouth. A “premium” or more “atas” version is also available with an egg on top.

Thank you Devi and Ravi for opening earlier than your usual operating hours today, just so that our special visitors to Penang could enjoy your delicious apom manis for breakfast🙏🏼