Cherita Lebuh Chulia. Oh yes, another post on Penang and Georgetown Festival 2013.
This unique event is an oral history as told by the long-time residents of Lebuh Chulia based on their experiences between 1945-1970. It was said that Penang achieved its prime time during that era. It was the period between World War II and the final abolition of Penang’s free port status in 1969. Like other historical sites, Penang has many golden age residents still residing in the many corners of Penang.
The programme for Cherita Lebuh Chulia includes Cherita Living Room, Cherita Moments, Cherita TV and Cherita Walk & Talk.
Prior to our arrival to Penang, we attempted to pre-book Cherita Walk & Talk but the seats were taken. Knowing that we had 2 days of free Let’s Celebrate events, we simply went to Penang to celebrate. It was when we walked along Lebuh Chulia, one of the oldest streets in Penang, we stumbled upon Cherita Living Room.
The ads, the cartoon paintings at few places around the area made the event a subject of curiosity to me.
Cherita Living Room
As we walked in, a volunteer ushered us around the living room. The room was transformed into a living room with interactive 3D map of Lebuh Chulia, an old-school television and printed panels. We entered the room to the tune of old songs playing on turntable record players. On the wall, utility bills from various years were posted. It was explained to us that Cherita carries the meaning of story in Malay. The modern word for Cherita is Cerita. Well, that was why we were there. We wanted to know the story of Lebuh Chulia.
Lebuh Chulia – A Street with Three Names
As a centre important for the growth of multi-cultural communities, various vernacular names were given by the Chinese for different sections of Lebuh Chulia. The section between Beach Street and Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling junctions which has a concentration of Indian Muslim business was called Kelinga Street. It was also known as Noordin Street which suggests the prominent status of Indian Muslim trader by the name of H.M. Nordin.
Da Men Lou or Big Archway refers to the row of three-storey shophouses which were Chinese-owned and the tallest shophouses on the street. Da Men Lou is the section between Love Lane and Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling.
I never knew the section between Penang Road and the junction of Love Lane was once known as Kandang Lembu. That was where cattle-pen could be found back then!
Memorabilia of Lebuh Chulia
Among the memorabilia displayed are 50-year-old kites, a personal collection by local resident Mr. Chan Chee Yuen. Look at the worn out colour of the kites, they are as old as your grandparents.
Wai Fong Studio was a big name back then. Mr. Yip the photographer used to take photographs of celebrities from Hong Kong. A talented being, Mr. Yip is also a make-up artist and wedding gown maker. As a wedding photographer, Mr. Yip reminisced the two important photography sessions for couples who intended to get married. The first was when they first met, usually pre-arranged by family. The second was when both of them get married happily ever after.
Cherita TV
Cherita TV is a special screenings of short Chulia Street documentaries that capture the trades of yesteryears that are still being practised by the residents of Lebuh Chulia.
Interactive 3D Map
A long table with interactive 3D Map was placed at the centre of the living room. The objective of the map is to encourage the residents of Chulia Street to come to the living room to record their oral memories about Chulia Street.
This memory is priceless. Watching 50cents cowboy show at Odeon Cinema during 1950s. Thanks Mr. Tony for sharing.