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Penang pix - Indian Muslim diaspora

Thanks Malaysian Heritage and History Club and Buruhanudeen Abubakar for sharing.

Even though these photos may be look old, I remember seeing these scenarios during my walks from Hutchings School to the City Council in Victoria Street from the early 1970s all through to 1975. Those were the daily sightings in my life as my young eyes ponder and imprinted all those everlasting memories in my grey matter. These laborious people in the pictures may have passed on, setting a foundation for their dependants to have a cushier life than theirs. Well, that must be the foundation of human existence - to do things easier, to go further, to smoothen things, to provide, to survive, to move up a notch in their social strata, to enjoy, to savour life and wither away living in the joyous memory of the past wishing that if only the present and the future could be as uncomplicated as the past.

Human Cart for transportation of goods

Fruits, anyone?

Tailor made undergarments?

Bengkang, Kueh lempeng, Kueh Koci, etc.

Renault TL in background, the hat used to be famous in 1920s. In Penang, the sanitation workers of the night-soil division had it as part of their uniform.

Slow business

Beverage still the same, Milo, Horlicks, Nescafe. Buns, the china Ming dynasty motifs cups and the glass look familiar.

Laksa panas-panas and kueh Talam to soothe it down.

Prized chained possessions

Kedai Ceremin dan Buat Friem 

In reflection

No touch drinking, straight from source

Onions in jut sack

Roti! Roti! to your doorstep on wheels.

Mammoth cooking with gargantuan utensil to whet giant appetite

Green Kueh Talam and Laksa

Pagoda singlet!

Wait, let me button up!

Many facets of malnourishment

I used to be fascinated by the folded banana leaf stopper at the the end of milk funnel/cover.

Transportation - new and old.

Cheers - where everybody knows your name!

Roti Bengali ada, Roti Ban ada, Kaya ada, Planta ada...

Sweet milk straight from the udder (almost)

Beedi - mini cheroot!

The exterior of a bachelor's pad

I want you...Show me the Way! 

Fresh organic farm produce

Fresh from bakery to your doorstep, personalised service.

Working for the Man

No, not my face you don't!

Before Walls and Magnum, the Ice Cream Man

Mutton Briyani anyone?

This ain't no IKEA.

Meet me at Merdeka Restaurant at the junction of Market Street and Queen Street.

Primal needs like an afternoon siesta need to continue, fanned by the breeze of moving vehicle.

I love you too, Abahdula!

Indian Onions - for flavour and oomph!

Certainly no Seville Row and no Kingsman but quality, yes! At your service, sire!

Use no hooks!

Unlike what Pink Floyd said, we need education. The writings are on the wall.

Carrom, game made in India!

I tell you, mark my word. A time in the future when people will be more interested in posing than working.

I am all set in my boogie shoes. Will join you after my favourite sherbet near Kapitan Kling mosque.

Food for the mind

We all live in a yellow submarine under the patronage of the King and his consort.

அல்லாவின் பெயரை சொல்லி, எல்லோரும் கொண்டாடுவோம் (Qawalli) In Allah's name , we rejoice!

It ain't heavy, it's for my family!

Gandum, gandum!

Pound the spices, I will back with the mutton after my shift.

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone. Gonna be bright sunshiny day!

A man got to do what a man got to do, like work for his family!

Teh Tarik satu, One foamy milked tea.

You calling me?

Calling it for the day

Yeah, sure. Politician, politicians!

Apam Manis - Sweetened coconut milk rice flour pancake

Filtered, unfiltered, beedi, 555?

Working 16 hours in 3by3 feet work area but you don't hear me complaining!

Joint venture. Putting the wheel before the cart!

Lazing around on a Sunday afternoon.

Whatever you say. You got me by the jugular!

Better be yummy!

Another spoke in the wheel

Green Energy?

Fanta, Coke, F&N?

Tonsorial artist at work, close shave!

Not getting any younger, are we?

A quick cuppa on the run.

The accounts do not balance. No, no donations received or given.

Man and wheels

We make, we sell but they call it 'Nyonya Kuih'!

A mandatory puff after the main course 

Who needs 7-11?

Any more Gandum? Second helping?

Another day another trip.

Loyalty unquestioned!

Honda kap-chai meant to be a two-seater!

Caught unawares!

I am alright!

The writer, of letters!

Life, on tenterhooks?

Get a S-NAP here! from Kandos!

A melting pot of cultures - Malaysia

Fab Fowl Four!

Comments

  1. I do remember witnessing some of these eventd as being photographed. We have come a long way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. At the end of the day, that is all we are left with ....MEMORIES to cherish!

      Delete

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