The Glory of Bunga Raya

We call our national flower, the Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Bunga Raya. The word bunga means 'flower' in Malay whilst raya means 'big'. This beloved red beauty was declared our national symbol in 1960 by the first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman.

The 5 petals represent the 5 Rukun Negara ( 5 Principles of Nationhood) of Malaysia. They are:
1. Belief in God
2. Loyalty to King and Country
3. Supremacy of the Constitution
4. Rule of Law
5. Mutual Respect and Morality

The flower can be found imprinted on the notes and coins of the Malaysian currency. Nestled in the Lake Garden is the Hibiscus Garden for the public to appreciate the beauty of the different varieties . In the city, the lights are fashioned to look like hibiscus on the top of lamp posts.

Lately, the media was abuzz with news of a massive 3 tier crystal fountain that further elevates the status of the Bunga Raya. I checked it out at the Pavilion, THE shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur.

The fountain has certainly found a 'home' where the world can view. It stands smack in a great location - at the entrance of the Pavilion . Locals and tourists flock to this area of Bukit Bintang which is in the golden triangle of the city.

I thought what an innovative idea to have a beautiful fountain showing off the Bunga Raya motifs. Tourism Minister, Dr Ng Yen Yen launched the 3.6m x 6m fountain amidst much fanfare on 4 July to coincide with the MegaSale.

This beautiful Grand Bloom of Fulfillment fountain was conceptualized by Pavilion KL in collaboration with the ancient glassware expert LiuliGongfang.

Artist Loretta Hui-shan Yang who has worked for many years with flowers as her theme was given the task of creating this fountain with hibiscus as the motif. It was a year and a half's labour of love.



Liuli is a term for ancient Chinese glass. Even under ideal conditions, a fountain created entirely from liuli and silicon carbide is no small feat. Finally, the finished work weighing 4 tons was shipped from Shanghai to its present location.

In the cool comfort of Pavilion,on video, visitors can catch the aspirations of the artist and her team who worked against many odds to make this fountain a reality.

The 3 hemispherical bowls represent Malaysia's multiracial culture. In an ascending structure, it symbolizes vigour, mobitilty and the aspirations of Malaysians. The flow of the water symbolizes blessings and prosperity for the nation.

Light is the key element to the fountain. Under the night sky, the oscillating lights will make the flowers appear to dance. Sounds so magical! Even under the afternoon sun, the fountain is a beauty to behold.

This new landmark is already a crowd puller. It is another new attraction belonging to the people of Malaysia. Looking at the fountain, the Bunga Raya is certainly basking in glory with the lights and water at play.

KELLIE's CASTLE

Sometime ago, flashes of Kellie's Castle and other heritage sites used to pop up during my Astro viewings on TV. It piqued my curiosity. Here's a 'castle in the sky'( on a ridge),abandoned, uncompleted and of a bygone era right here in Malaysia. I've walked into many stately castles on my overeas travel. Surely, this castle warrants a look-see, at least.

Things don't just happen ,so it was planned that on the way back to KL from Damai Laut Resort, there would be a stopover with my folks. So we made a detour to Batu Gajah.

I liked what I saw at first glance. So, that's the famed castle - on top of a hill and a river sweeps by with a bridge to cross over. An imposing sight!

Kellie's Castle was built by a Scottish planter, William Smith-Kellie in 1915. As a youg adventurer, he came to Malaysia, then Malaya to seek his fortunes. He befriended an estate owner, Alma Baker. Fortune smiled on Smith and with his wealth, he started to plant rubber trees and dabbled in the tin mining industry. Soon he was the proud owner of the Kinta Kellas estate and the Kinta Dredging Company.

Around 1909/1910, Smith built his first mansion. He returned home to marry his Scottish sweetheart, Agnes. 5 years later when their son, heir apparent was born, Smith expanded on his mansion. He started building Kellie's castle which he planned to call Kellas House, after his hometown in Scotland.

It was to surpass his country house. Smith brought in 70 workers from Madras including the bricks and marble for the stately abode. It was to be linked to the first by a covered passageway. 2 tunnels were designed to run under the river. The design too incorporated Islamic influences in the dome shaped windows and stately columns. Smith planned 14 rooms , including a wine cellar. Amazingly a 6 storey tower was to have the first elevator ever in Malaya ! Added to these grandiose plans were a indoor tennis court and a rooftop courtyard for parties. Smith had wanted a moat to complete the mansion . Truly, it was more of a castle than a country house. Such news made it to The London Financial Newspaper on 15 Sept 1911.





But tragedy struck. A mysterious disease broke out and killed many of Smith's workers. The superstitious Smith was told that a temple must be built to appease the gods. He duly obliged and transferred the workers to build the Hindu temple.

Fate dealt another blow. A second tragedy struck. Few stories are told of his death. The oft quoted story says Smith died suddenly of pneumonia in Lisbon. He was said to be on his way to take delivery of the elevator that he ordered for his mansion.

Agnes could not imagine a solitary life in Malaya. Heartbroken, she sold the estate to a British company, Harrisons and Crosfield and returned to Scotland. So, ended a colonial planter's dreams.

We wandered around the empty rooms - bedrooms, large linen storage room,living room, kitchen etc. If only walls could speak...

I thought how grand the castle would have been if it had seen its glory. I climbed to the rooftop and lingered for a little. What a view!





Now its up to us to preserve Kellie's Castle. No undergrowth or jungle need creep up to it anymore. Nor it be left derelict. It is too fascinating and important in the local history to be left abandoned. Due thanks to the Department of Museum and Antiquities which stepped in to restore to the condition it was when work was abruptly halted in 1926.



The castle and the grounds are well-maintained. It was good to see tourists coming to have a glimpse into the history of a bygone era. To get to know a man who had big dreams and wanted to live like a king.

Rumours swirl about ghost sightings of Smith. It was broad daylight when we were there. I certainly didn't have any eerie feelings nor do I believe in ghosts.

So what piqued my curiosity is satisfied. Long live Kellie's Castle! May the soul of William Smith - Kellie rest in peace.

To L A ... To The Eyes Of The World

What prompts me to invite you to this post?

This is IT:

In an interview, artist , Ahmad Fuad Osman : 'He ( Obama) is the face of hope and the future. Even halfway around the world, here in Malaysia, Obama fever is contagious.'

In the New Straits Times, Monday 13 April, a picture by Amirudin Sahib with the title, A Picture Of Hope, Infected by Obama fever' caught my attention. And here's the picture. A dramatic, exciting piece, I must say. Look closely, Obama is on the small camera screen :))

So me and my sis-in-law, Vicki visiting from Australia, went to view the exhibition Matahati ke Matadunia at Galeri Chandan, Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur. We were early birds as the staff was rolling out the carpet and keeping the place clean.

The lady told us enthusiastically that the exhibition will be making its debut in LA and then a tour of the United States and Europe.

The artists aim to raise funds for the organisers , LA -based gallery DCA Fine Art and the House of Matahati - to groom budding artists in Malaysia and America.

What did we see?

Hah! you already know by now, I'm not an art critic! Just appreciating art. However I was glad to see eye-catching pieces by Bayu Utoma Radjikin. Talked with him at an exhibition at PACE gallery a few months ago.







Well, there's this group of buddies who form Matahati art group in 1989. They were course mates at Universiti Teknologi Mara - Ahmad Shukri Mohamed, Bayu Utomo Radjikin, Hamir Soib and Masnoor Ramli Mahmud and Ahmad Fuad Osman .

`Their names carry weight in local art circle, renowned for their postmodern pieces depicting Malaysian culture intertwined with elements of war and economic recession' - NST write -up.



Just glimpses here. Catch the exhibition which ends on 25 April. To LA!

1885 ...AND STILL GROWING STRONG

We struck Tin + Antimony + Copper = PEWTER today! Everything was about pewter and it's beginnings in then Malaya till now.

In an impressive showroom in Setapak Jaya, Kuala Lumpur, we accompanied our guests (new relatives from the UK), around the Royal Selangor Pewter Visitor Centre under Vivien, our guide.

At the reception area, Vivien pointed our attention to a gigantic pewter tankard standing solid and huge beside a pool in the grounds. The size of it all made its way to the Guinness Book Of Records in 1987. I thought it was suitably located. Any excess, the beer ( imagine it, ok?) can flow into the pool and presto! A beer swim, anyone??

Weight: 1557 kg. Height: 1987 mm. Girth: 1693mm

Once up the escalator, our attention was immediately brought to a picture of the founder, Yong Koon. Bespectacled, sporting a short beard and dressed in a Mandarin collar, he looks down on the many thousands who have come to know his story. His hard working pioneering legacy began in 1885 and still lives on.

Very interesting artefacts were nicely explained as we wove our way in the visitor showroom.

Luckily we did not have to read tons of info because there were none. Guides were at hand to do just that. And the kids happily listened and played around.

Of course we couldn't resist trying our hand at holding the hammer to knock the pewter giving it its famous 'hammered' look. All of us were 'fired' by Vivien, our guide!!

Perfection belongs to the master craftsman. In this case, a lady who has worked over 40 years at this. 'A small pewter takes 700 knocks to look beautiful and she does it in a mere 15 minutes.' Vivien explained.



We soaked in the different processes - casting, filing, hammering, polishing. Fascinating! And such fun for all too! In the Chamber Of Chimes, The Giant Weighing Scale, Hall Of Frames, standing next to the Petronas Twin Towers - all of 7,062 pewter tankards, lifting the Singapore Formula One Race replica trophy.

The tour ended after an hour. Didn't get the chance to try The School Of Hard Knocks'. It was also fully booked. For a nominal fee, get your fingers busy for about an hour to create a pewter dish using traditional tools and methods. Take it home and it'll be definitely a great keepsake.

Dylan bought a coin off the money tree ( 'pohon pitis") and happily wore it on his neck.

Well, time to rest and enjoy tea and cakes at the smart cafe in the premises.

Really proud of our very own Selangor Pewter. Let you in a little secret. There's always a gift of Selangor Pewter for friends /relatives overseas whenever I travel:))