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Kampung Pictures Tale in Ten Snippets of George Town - 7th July 2012
Snippets of George Town - 7th July 2012 PDF Print E-mail
Written by Nanda   
Tuesday, 10 July 2012 23:42

For the past 1 month, Penang had been abuzz with a flurry of activities particularly centered in George Town. This year's George Town Festival certainly gained more widespread attention and participation both from local Penangites as well as from the general public at large. George Town Festival was inaugurated in 2010 and was planned to be an annual event. The month long festival offered a variety of events and activities with a mix of music, dance, theatre, film - almost every facet of art under the sun.

Presented here are some images captured during the festival around George Town's heritage enclave generally, with a little more focus on 7th July 2012, the day when "George Town Heboh, Streets Alive!" event took place.

 

(45 photos; all photos - Nandakumar Haridas)

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View of a street in George Town on a Sunday evening

 

 

 

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RELA personnel on duty at one end of Armenian Street or Lebuh Armenian. Armenian Street is within the core zone of George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site. Armenian Street derives its name from an Armenian family who once stayed at the junction of the now Armenian Street and Beach Street in the early part of the 19th century.

 

 

 

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Painting by international artist, Ernest Zacharevic. Part of a larger street art project titled Mirrors George Town, the completed paintings and street art installations on Armenian Street, Muntri Street, and Chew Jetty became attraction spots drawing locals and visitors alike, inviting them to walk around the heritage enclave to discover them.

 

 

 

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Participants, locals and visitors alike taking pictures with Zacharevic's painting on Armenian Street

 

 

 

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Portrait of a little girl posing in front of the street art installation along Armenian Street

 

 

 

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A not-so-little painting of a little girl in 'Wushu' outfit near Penang Ta Kam Hong, or the Goldsmith's Guild Temple on Muntri Street

 

 

 

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A young visitor posing with the mural opposite Khoo Kongsi, along Lebuh Cannon

 

 

 

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Mural opposite Khoo Kongsi near the end of Lebuh Cannon. In the background, the minaret of Acheen Street Mosque or Masjid Lebuh Acheh can be seen. Acheen Street Mosque was founded in 1801, making it one of the oldest mosque in Penang

 

 

 

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A little girl poses in front of street art installation along Lebuh Ah Quee.

 

 

 

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A couple with their wedding photographer scouting for a location to shoot photographs at Chew Jetty. The Clan Jetty, in essence a waterfront settlement built by the pioneer settlers still stands today

 

 

 

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Street art on Love Lane.

 

 

 

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Installations such as these are placed in various locations, providing information as to the history and origin of names among others. Here, how Love Lane got its name is explained.

 

 

 

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Chew Jetty pathway

 

 

 

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Visitors participating in Batik painting along Lebuh Acheh. Lebuh Acheh, Lebuh Armenian and Lebuh Cannon were full with activities on 7th July 2012 - 'George Town Heboh, Streets Alive!'

 

 

 

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A group of young students sharing a light moment with an artist

 

 

 

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Congkak was one of the traditional games played during 'George Town Heboh, Streets Alive!'

 

 

 

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Traditional game being played

 

 

 

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Indian Muslim community having an activity of games for children in the compound of Masjid Kapitan Keling

 

 

 

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Learning science and the solar system can be done on the streets too. A visitor taking a peek through a telescope

 

 

 

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A young boy seems to be intensely engaged in learning about the solar system

 

 

 

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A group of young participants getting information from their facilitator

 

 

 

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A couple of journalists on the job, interviewing locals playing checkers, or commonly known as 'dam haji'.

 

 

 

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The Bubble Man, as he called himself that day, blowing bubbles.

 

 

 

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Bubbles and more bubbles

 

 

 

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Soon, the young people began to take matters into their own hands

 

 

 

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A street full of bubbles and laughter it is then :)

 

 

 

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Young 24 Seasons Drum performers from a local secondary school explaining and demonstrating several beats before performing for the audience. A typical Malaysian 24 Seasons unit consists of twenty four drums. The number 24 represents agricultural seasons based on the Lunar calendar. The name of each seasons can be seen, painted in calligraphy on each drum.

 

 

 

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24 Seasons Drum performance

 

 

 

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Two drummers from a local secondary school Western Drum Line sharing a light moment in between beats

 

 

 

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Kompang performance by performers from a local school. Kompang is a traditional Malay drum usually played in large ensembles.

 

 

 

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Performers from a local school playing the Punjabi 'dhol'. The young performers raised the tempo with their fast beats and got some audiences up on their feet, dancing to those beats by the end of their gig.

 

 

 

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The Ombak Muda children perform the history of Lebuh Acheh, Lebuh Armenian and Lebuh Cannon in a musical-dance-theatre. Created by the young people themselves, it was a very well researched and beautifully executed performance that engaged the hearts and minds of the audience.

 

 

 

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Ombak Muda performers telling the local folklore about the lion statue in Khoo Kongsi that comes alive at night.

 

 

 

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Urban Sketchers at work. Urban Sketchers is a worldwide network of artists who draw about the cities they live in and visit. In conjunction with George Town Festival 2012, sketchers from a number of international cities were in George Town to sketch and to exhibit their drawings.

 

 

 

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An Urban Sketcher standing in front of what has by now become the beautiful and iconic zinc wall of Armenian Street.

 

 

 

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Urban Sketchers looking at different spots to begin their sketches

 

 

 

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On the spot painting of a sketch

 

 

 

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A young artist sitting on the sidewalk and sketching

 

 

 

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Another artist finishing her painting, the portrait of a taxi driver she met near Armenian Street

 

 

 

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19 Cannon Street, the home of Arts-Ed Penang. Arts-Ed Penang has worked on street theatrical performances, musicals, photography exhibitions and appreciation of history through heritage trails and oral history. Arts-Penang is also well known for its MyBalikPulau project

 

 

 

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In some parts of the heritage enclave, it is still a working day, especially for migrant workers. It's in the blood of the city.

 

 

 

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No. 102 Armenian Street. Rattan weaving and repair of rattan furniture, a trade passed on from earlier generations.

 

 

 

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A family spending some quality time together with an outing to Chew Jetty during the weekend.

 

 

 

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Early aerial view of George Town, 1960s

 

 

 

Comments
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Santalia  - Very Chun |2012-07-14 00:09:21
:cheer:

:cheer:

Great stuff
Lowinfat |2012-07-16 18:15:57
This photographic essay speaks to me of some barely perceptible malevolence or malice underpinning everything. I wonder whether it arises from the photographers feelings towards his subjects, towards his audience, towards himself, or towards the location being shot. Photograph #2 may best summaries the overall intention here, while Photo #5 may offer the best clue of the mischief at work. Thumbs down!
david lim |2012-07-26 19:53:54
nice blog with brilliant photos. keep it up!
Anonymous |2012-08-12 06:27:49
:woohoo:

:woohoo:

it's awesome
Anonymous |2012-08-26 23:13:35
:cheer:

:cheer:

Nice photos, Nanda!!! Keep it up!
SIndra |2012-09-03 22:23:41
:cheer:

:cheer:



I was born n bred a Penangite for 19 years of my life. I may have since moved on, but I can't help but feel a sense of pride and joy as I look at all that is now happening in Penang. Through these images I see a genuine intermingling of races and a vibrant appreciation for its cultural heritage. For me it represents hope for the future .... I can't wait to go back and visit Penang again to experience this in the flesh
:)

:)

Anonymous  - re: |2012-10-09 09:41:04
Refreshing.
Last Updated on Thursday, 12 July 2012 15:23
 

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