Teochew Opera

Let the show begin!

The hungry ghost festival in is full swing and every night, there is a Chinese opera performance somewhere in the streets of George Town, Penang. The photographs in this post were taken at the Phor Tor (Hungry Ghost Festival) held in Jalan Gurdwara (formerly Brick Kiln Road).

During the festival, these Chinese street opera are performed as an entertainment offering to Phor Tor Kong or the King of Hades, and the wandering ghosts who are allowed to roam the human realm for a whole month. Indeed, during our photoshoot that night, there were only two of us and two other photographers there. Perhaps there are other invisible 'souls' around us at that time?

These festivals are set up by the business communities in their respective areas and features giant paper effigies of Phor Tor Kong with various offerings placed on extended altars in front. The highlight of each festival is on the last night when the giant effigy of Phor Tor Kong is lit up in a bonfire of paper offerings, sending the King off in a grand way.

Sadly, the popularity of these street performances amongst the people is dwindling fast in the past years. This is probably due to the lack of artistic appreciation amongst the younger generation.

Sky Walker

Sky Walker

A few weeks ago the sun decided to splash its glorious colours onto the perpetual canvas above us. It was a sunrise captured by many in Penang and posted all over Facebook. The fiery orange and red hues contrasted with the deep blue sky, mirrored perfectly on the bay at Tanjung Bungah.

It's the start of the skyscape season for landscape photographers, as the sun moves back to the north easterly horizon, and frequent rain storms brings about dramatic clouds in the sky.

As a bonus, here is another photograph of the same sunrise; this time with a beautiful light trail of moving traffic below. I call it Phoenix's Trail.

Phoenix's Trail

A Penang Chinese New Year

Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang

Chinese New Year in Penang is not complete without a visit to the historical Kek Lok Si Temple. During this time of the year, the temple is grandly lit up with colourful lanterns and bulbs, welcoming visitors and devotees from near and far.

This shot was taken during the blue hour, just as the sun set and the sky is deep blue in colour. It is also the time when the lights are switched on altogether, eliciting a wave of awe amongst the people in the area. 

Kek Lok Si Temple complex is beautiful and majestic by itself in the daytime. And when the lights come on, it turns magical.

Penang Buddhist Association

Penang Buddhist Association

Pagoda and Octagonal Pond

The Penang Buddhist Association in Anson Road holds special memories of Chinese New Year. It is here that our family come to pray and welcome in the Chinese New Year annually. These visits are usually made on the night of the eve of the Lunar New Year, after the family reunion dinner.

For this special season, the temple is always lit up with colourful lights and the great chandeliers in the immense prayer hall cast a majestic glow on the various white marble statues of Sakyamuni Buddha and other Boddhisatvas.

The smell of incense and burning candles amidst these joyful lights always bring about a sense of peaceful grandeur - a hope for a prosperous and happy new year, each and every year.

Malayan Railway Building

Malayan Railway Building

Completed in 1909, the Malayan Railway Building served as a ticketing office for islanders intending to travel by train from the mainland Butterworth station. This ornately designed building with a grand clock tower served as a reception terminal, where travellers were ushered onto a ferry and transported across the channel to Butterworth to take the train.

It must have been a grand affair to travel by train during that period of time. The railway stretches from north to south of the western coast of Penisular Malaysia, and served as a conduit of economic progress during those years of tin mining and rubber plantations.

The Malayan Railway Building is now the headquarters for the Royal Malaysian Customs. It is located at junction of Weld Quay and China Street Ghaut in George Town, Penang.

All Roads Lead to Mount Fuji

All Roads Lead to Mount Fuji

As you walk against the traffic along Nagore Road in George Town, there is a painted signage on the side wall of the shop selling Fujiyama branded apparels. It actually looks like the symmetrical silhouette of Mount Fuji's peak covered in snow, as white spot lights illuminate the triangular roof line amidst the warm glow of other surrounding buildings.

Nagore Road has become a trendy place for the young who come for meals in the many restaurants and cafes that have sprouted in these renovated pre-war shophouses. The area exudes a relaxing ambience despite the street being located perpendicular in between the two main arterial roads in busy George Town.

This Japanese-themed scene was captured as I walked along the road after a cup of coffee at a nearby cafe.

Though Our Trees Are Evergreen

Evergreen

I have gone through every file in my old hard drive but unfortunately I could not find the "Poem of the Mid-Autumn Revolution" which I mentioned in the previous post. I begin to wonder whether I wrote it or not. Or did I just compose the two lines out of thin air and weave them into my memory cells?

Nevertheless, let's move on and savour the present moment.

The landscape above was one of the many pictures I took on Merdeka morning this year at the Penang Botanic Gardens. The chair was wet after the morning shower, and mists could still be seen in the background, muting the sunlight and creating a soft glow in the surrounding greeneries.

Indeed the trees in the tropics are always lush and green throughout the year. The lack of seasonal change can sometimes make the passage of time illusive. One moment we are still young, cherishing the fruits of youth, and the next moment, old age has set into our porous bones.

Though our trees are evergreen
Autumn falls like it's never been
When once vigour flowed through our veins
Now our bones are wrought in pain

With no milestones to mark the seasons
Time passes on in the guise of illusions
The crawl of decades flicked by in seconds
And fields of Elysium constantly beckons

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon

Last Sunday, I went for a walk at the heritage area of George Town and was surprised to see new mural art which weren't there before. This particular one is at the corner of an alleyway in Cannon Street. It features a cat looking out of a painted window. I included the mailbox in the foreground as it contains the word 'dragon' and a faded mural of the mystical creature on the wall beneath it.

Then it came to my mind that the only title that captures everything in this composition is "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".

Why tiger? Because the cat belongs to the same family. Why dragon? The mail box and the partly hidden dragon.

Enjoy.

Poem to the Mid-Autumn Moon

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival

Poem to the Mid-Autumn Moon

By See Teik Guan

Incense smoke the midnight sky

As lighted dragons come to life

Laughter, prayers soaring high

Happy children, husband, wife

Mountains carved in moonlight sheen

Rivers rustle through the land

What finest gem within this scene

That feasts the eyes and hearts of Man

Tea imbibed with sweet delight

Lotus paste and song birds croon

Poets chart the maiden's flight

With paean to the autumn moon

Portrait of a Hidden Path

Portraits are usually representations of a person or any tangible object of interest. But how do you capture a portraiture of something which is not there - like a hidden path in the midst of a thick forest?

The sun has just broken through the storm clouds at the Penang Botanic Gardens, as I walked past the empty orchid house. On the left is a broken bridge which overlooks the valley below. As I peered into the thick undergrowth, the sun rays began to penetrate the crown of the trees above and illuminate a forgotten path lined with unkempt smaller trees and bushes.

This path was laid back in the mid 80's when there was a revamp of the park. I remember walking down the road with a group of friends during our senior high school years to scout for locations for our group portraits. We were all dressed up in long trousers and shoulder padded overcoats in the style of Miami Vice and had fun taking each other's pictures in various poses.

Today, the light that shines on this hidden path, rekindles the happy and carefree days of our youth. It's memories like this that shapes the portrait of a hidden path in our minds.

Looking Back

Looking Back

Childhood memories are like old photographs resting quietly in between the yellowed pages of a photo album; stashed away somewhere in the deep corners of forgetfulness and hidden from sight by our blind yearning for newer and happier memories. And then suddenly, they are awaken from their sleep; projecting themselves onto the canvas of our conscious minds like a repeated screening of an old movie.

Such memories can tease the tears out of our eyes - sometimes tears of joy and at other times, tears of sorrow. And as the memoriam of our childhood play on in our minds, we are cradled in warm embrace and nostalgic ambience.

As I sit under the gazebo, looking at the cluster of giant palms on the slopes of Penang Botanic Gardens, I remember the old family photographs which were taken in front of these majestic trees. It was a family outing with my parents and siblings, and we were all dressed up for the occasion. At that time, colour photography was just beginning to become a rage.

The photographs are still around, though the colours have faded slightly. But the palm trees remain alive, strong and healthy, just like the memories of that day which stay fresh in my mind.

The Sky, The Sea and The Pinang Tree

The Sky, The Sea and The Pinang Tree

Of turquoise sky and emerald sea

An island with a Pinang tree

Where clouds of white float light and free

’Tis the the place I want to be

Abundance in life, in food and play

Though prayers plied in different ways

In spirit unite, hence comes this day

A pearl in an oyster shines its rays

So here it is, come one and all

Who celebrate freedom’s auspicious call

Of tolerance and respect, together stand tall

With welcoming arms, embrace, enthrall

By See Teik Guan

Welcome to Penang, my island in the sun.

This picture was taken on a hot sunny afternoon after a bout of heavy thunderstorm the night before. The white clouds look like they have just been freshly laundered and left hanging in the clear blue sky to dry. The sea appears like emerald with textured tones and inclusions, just like what a genuine emerald gemstone should look like.

The Island of Penang, with its former name of Prince of Wales Island, has been welcoming traders and settlers from both the east and west for centuries, enriching it with a multitude of colourful culture, delicious food and a rich historical heritage. Penangites have always prided themselves for being sort of different from the rest of the country, and yet always welcoming to all, irrespective of creed or colour.

Perhaps, living together on a small island is one of the factors that gave birth to our great tolerance and respect for each other throughout all these years.

Merdeka Morning

Merdeka Morning

The early morning thunderstorm brought heavy rain to the island, threatening to disrupt the Merdeka celebration parade at the Esplanade. But just like our country's current run of good fortune, the rain stopped suddenly, and glorious sunshine beamed down from the misty heavens.

This scene, captured at the Botanic Gardens after the rain, seems to emanate an atmosphere of rebirth, peace, tolerance and harmony - four words which are currently set in the hearts of all Malaysians. Let us all look forward towards a new beginning as we strive forward together as one.