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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