Monday, 7 May 2012

Brickfields - Little India of Malaysia


Brickfields – Little India of Malaysia
During week of October 2011 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visit to Kuala lumpur Malaysia beckoned a beginning of new era of relationship between two countries. This being cumulative effect of Manmohan Singh’s look east policy a new agreement was signed by both the leaders.
Their visit to Little India and inauguration of novel and magnificent get up of the place was reflection of augmented proximity between two nations.
Little India is located in the heart of Kuala lumpur in place called as Brickfields. It’s not only Little India but entire Brickfield lives up to Malaysia, truly Asia image. It is domain of people from all walks of life and all ethnic communities and majority of them are Indians.
It got its name from kiln of bricks being produced by labor who British bought from India. Situated bang opposite to KL Sentral it was prime spot where Indian workers laid down railway line to smoothen transportation of goods and bricks. Now upkeep and construction of railway line is taken care by Indian Railway Constructions (IRCON). Crossing the road and enter into one of the lane where situated row of houses that will remind you of British era architecture of carved wooden frames and roofs of teak. Beyond if you take further walk and move towards square on your right hand side a narrow ally will connect you to bazaars of little India. Blaring music of tollywood item numbers coming from shops selling pirated movies. Street side vendors selling flowers, eatable and knick knacks haggling with customers will make you feel at home. In the shops are available items ranging from Prestige pressure cooker to MDH Masala, sarees, wedding gowns to Dabur Chyawanprash are available here.
Life never rest in Brickfields. Morning usually begins between 4:30 and 5 am where azaan from nearby mosque is wake up call. Place gain momentum with morning aarti and euphony of bells coming from temple. Located nearby to oldest church is a Buddha temple built in 19th century. A dormitory as well it is center for Buddhist studies and mediation. Gigantic effigy of sleeping Buddha will captivate your mind. Vivekanand Ashram, church, temple, mosque all situated near to each other reflects unity in diversity among Malaysians. Dominated by ethnic south Indians saw communal riot once in 60’s. Till date ethnic chiense, Malay muslims and hindus celebrate all festivals with pomp and show. Most of them love Indian culture and food that’s for the reason you will find throngs of people occupying Annalakshmi, part of temple of fine arts. It’s not because food is free here because they buy food and donate money. Plethora of activities like dance, music, drama makes temple of fine arts a happening place.
In the heart of Brickfields situated Palm court, one of the oldest society where lives majority of Indians. It is said to be landing ground for Indians as many of them spend their very first days here before moving to other parts of Kuala lumpur. Indians who have come all the way from India to win their bread and butter comprising of majority of IT workers once in 2007 were harassed and raided by local police and immigration officials that Indian Government swung into action. As a matter of fact place house scores of illegal migrants. Condominium has witnessed rise and fall of many people. From here rose three glitterati from rags to riches. Ananda Krishna (owner of Maxis), Bastina Pillai Paul Nicholas, first Asian banker and founder of Oriental bank and Tan sri Devaki Krisnan, the first woman in Islamic state to contest election. At one end of spectrum there are positive vibes coming from places of worship and at other end of spectrum there are negative vibes coming from dens of crime. During evening there is sudden flurry of people rushing to adjacent area of 100 years old YMCA hostel. It’s time when prostitutes are luring the prospects and soliciting them. Betting and online gamble “clubs” are mushrooming here. A country where it is death sentence for possessing drugs you can find peddlers selling small packs of party drugs and hashish. To find them you need not to put your back and toil. You just need to pull the right plugs. Cooking as an activity is not encouraged in most of the houses and people prefer to eat outside. And everything is available in Brickfields to satisfy your taste buds. From pure veg without onion and garlic food to North and south Indian chetti delicacies to Malay cusine to even chaats, pani poori, Chinese and scores of dishes are available here.
It is congruence of all types of culture where one culture doesn’t dominate over other. An instance of democracy, where everything has its own place, setting example in front of the world. So a truly Asia and truly India both culture thrives here.

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