Penang Indian Heritage Museum

Penang Indian Heritage Museum (25 April 2018)


Penang Indian Heritage Museum (GPS: 5.4213, 100.30417) is an ethnography museum in George Town, Penang. It occupies the Penang Hindu Endowments Board building along Macalister Road. The museum was set up by the Hindu Endowments Board in support of private collectors Mr & Mrs Prakash Jakathesan, whose collection forms the bulk of the exhibits.

The Penang Indian Heritage Museum was opened by the Chief Minister of Penang, Tuan Lim Guan Eng, on 1 May, 2018. This is the first museum of its kind in Malaysia. The articles on display range from household items and kitchen utensils to furniture, interior deco, children's games, office equipment and even tickets for buses and ocean liners. Collectively they offer a glimpse into what would constitute the characteristics of the Indian community.

I arranged for a private tour of the Penang Indian Heritage Museum ahead of its official opening, in order to prepare the information for dissemination when it opens. As a result of my visit, Mr Jakathesan had to rush in getting the items in place. It was a most impressive collection, though still without any interpretive boards and labels - these, I was assured, would come later.

I requested that the museum assemble the exhibits in a way that provides a coherent interpretation of the history of the Indian community in Malaysia, so that visitors would come away better informed. I was pleased to learn that plans were already afoot to expand the museum, so that other items such as Mr Jakathesan's collection of tiffin carriers and Indian musical instruments could also find a place.

The Hindu Endowments Board has graciously decided to offer free admission to the Penang Indian Heritage Museum, in order that all Malaysians may better under and appreciate the community, and that members of the community may also be proud to enjoy a showcase of their heritage.

Address

Penang Indian Heritage Museum
225 & 221, Jalan Macalister,
10450 George Town, Penang.

The Penang Indian Heritage Museum is open on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays (10:00am - 4:00pm)



Come on in - Mr Prakash Jakathesan and I bid you to visit the Penang Indian Heritage Museum. (25 April 2018)


A Passage to India: ship ticket on board the M.V. Chidambaram from Penang to Nagapattinam. (25 April 2018)


A collection of brass and enamelware, as used by the Indian community, from Mr Prakash Jakathesan's collection. (25 April 2018)


Public announcement for the local community to pay their last respects over the passing of Indian statesman Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. (25 April 2018)


Indian beadwork, often homemade and given away to special friends. (25 April 2018)


Brass water vessel used by the Indian community. (25 April 2018)


Boilers. (25 April 2018)


Furniture commonly used by Chettiar money lenders. (25 April 2018)


Metal cashbox used by the Chettiar money lenders. (25 April 2018)


A toddler's walker, pieced together without nails. (25 April 2018)


Brass steamers for making idili. (25 April 2018)


To prevent theft or ownership challenge, most Indians inscribe their names to their possessions. (25 April 2018)


Penang Indian Heritage Museum signage. (25 April 2018)

Penang Indian Heritage Museum is on the Map of Macalister Road, Penang

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Dear visitor, thank you so much for reading this page. My name is Timothy Tye and my hobby is to find out about places, write about them and share the information with you on this website. I have been writing this site since 5 January 2003. Originally (from 2003 until 2009, the site was called AsiaExplorers. I changed the name to Penang Travel Tips in 2009, even though I describe more than just Penang but everywhere I go (I often need to tell people that "Penang Travel Tips" is not just information about Penang, but information written in Penang), especially places in Malaysia and Singapore, and in all the years since 2003, I have described over 20,000 places.

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