Balai Seni Negeri, Alor Setar

Balai Seni Negeri, Alor Setar (2 August, 2015)


Balai Seni Negeri (GPS: 6.11877, 100.36558), or State Art Gallery, is one of the first modern government buildings contructed in Alor Setar, Kedah. The person responsible for the project was Muhammad bin Lebai Tambi, an architect with the Kedah State Public Works Department who was also responsible for the reconstruction of Balai Besar.

The Balai Seni Negeri was originally used as the High Court. Construction began in 1893, and it was opened by Sultan Abdul Hamid Shah in 1912. From 1912 until 1931, it housed the Alor Setar Court House. When the court house was relocated in 1931, this building was used as the state secretariat, auditor's office and the office of the British Advisor. When the land office building was completed, some of these departments moved out, and for a period of about one year, from December 1982 to July 1983, it was the head office of the Public Works Department (JKR) and the Draingage and Irrigation Department. On 25 July, 1983, it became the State Art Gallery, or Balai Seni Negeri. This was done in conjunction with the Silver Jubilee of the reign of Tunku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah.

Approaching the Balai Seni Negeri from the city square (2 August, 2015)


The front corridor of the Balai Seni Negeri (2 August, 2015)


View of the Alor Setar city square from the porch of Balai Seni Negeri (2 August, 2015)


Balai Seni Negeri, as seen from across Lebuhraya Darul Aman. (2 August, 2015)

How to go to Balai Seni Negeri

Balai Seni Negeri is located along Jalan Pekan Melayu, now known as Lebuhraya Darul Aman, on the opposite side of the road from Masjid Zahir, in the middle of the city of Alor Star.

Balai Seni Negeri is on the Map of Alor Setar

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