There no more

ABBAS

Bandong Tailors & Batik Handel

59 Riverside

That's what was written, bold and clear, on the sign-board above my late father's shop in the early fifties. Situated on one of the main streets, now known as "Jalan Laksamana", it was once a popular meeting place for teachers, students, the literati and even the rich, local Nyonyas who came to have their kebayas sewn. In front of the shop was the grand St Francis Church, on its left the warehouse storing rubber sheets and spices from Indonesia and on its right the Custom's living quarters where my childhood friends lived. Next to the warehouse was a large field cum playing-ground for the children of the area. Behind these buildings flowed the famous Melaka River. Except for the St. Francis Church, sadly all the buildings mentioned were pulled down to make way for development.

The picture above could have been taken when I was about 8 or so. That's me sharing a seat with the guest of honour, the famous literary figure, Pak HAMKA (seated front in black). from Indonesia. My father is on his right. The rest were my father's close friends and supporters mainly of Sumatera's origin, a few Malay teachers and writers. Pak HAMKA was visiting the country to promote his books. When he stopped by Melaka, the Malay Literary group took him to my father's shop - then the only Malay shop, famous with its store of Indonesian, Malay and Islamic books. Unfortunately, I don't remember much about the get-together. But I'm glad I was part of the history.

"Bandong Tailors" as written on the signboard. My father started as a tailor for women's 'kebaya' (fine lacy embroided blouse known as "Kebaya Bandong"). Note my mother was an accomplished embroiderer (?) too. He also sold Batiks worn with the kebayas - thus the "Batik Handel" also sandels, scarves to match. (So you people who know me, take note that my family is NOT from Bandong, Java. My parents came from PADANG, Sumatera.) Gradually upon encouragement from his friends the Malay teachers, he added books and books and books, becoming a publisher and distributor of famous publications. And he naturally retired from being a tailor and seller of Batiks. Since he was known as "ABBAS BANDONG" from the tailoring era, the shop changed its name to "TOKO BUKU ABBAS BANDONG" (Abbas Bandong Book Store). That was his success story. But sad to say, none of his 4 children were interested to continue his legacy. So the shop closed upon his demise.

59 Riverside held many fond memories for me - the best of my growing-up years. There no more . . . .

My Black Beauty

The picture in the previous posting is a close-up of the lights' reflections in the Melaka River at night. Fascinating, isn't?

Dab, dab, dab

Eureka . . . That's how Monet got his strokes!

A Word About Books

A posting here prompted me to have a word about the topic being discusssed.

My late father was a well-known owner of a popular bookshop during his time. My family lived in the first storey of the shop until I left to further my tertiary education in Australia. So you can imagine books were all over the place all the time. I remember after the shop closed for the night and after I had done my homework, I would get myself lost among the book shelves, reading and looking at pictures in the new books, carefully turning the pages so as not to soil them - mainly Malay and Indonesian books. Even Atlases intrigued me! I suppose that was how my interest in books started. I soon collected books on my own - Fine Arts books, Craft books, Art Education books mainly pertaining to my area of teaching. I also loved reading non-fiction books especially biographies. Books are expensive here but I'd rather spend money on them than on expensive clothings. So much so long time ago, I remember telling my family and friends, if anything disastrous should happen to the house, the first thing I'd save would be my books.

Upon retirement, with a very heavy heart, I donated most of my Fine Arts and Art Education books to the Teachers College nearby. They would have more use to them than I now. I still have a quite a collection of books - now it's Arabic and religion plus my favourite craft books. Although I can get lots of information from the Internet, I buy a book or two now and then. There's nothing like holding a book in your hand. I don't have a library but books are all over the house - my bedroom especially, outside on the porch, in the living area - everywhere.

YES! I LOVE BOOKS.

Those were the days

Watching "Tom Tom Bak" the popular local children's program on TV, compered by the famous TV personality, Aznil Hj. Nawawi, brings to mind the days when I was just as popular on TV. That was a very long time ago when colour TV was about to be introduced here.

It all started in 1977 when Hyacinth Leo from TV Malaysia (there was only one TV station then) visited the Teachers' College where I was teaching to get some imput and suggestions as to a new children's program she was about to produce. I was given the task to list out 26 Art activities for children between 7 and 12 years old. A week later when I submitted my suggestions, she asked me whether I could be at the recording studio to do a demonstration. Nervously I went and had my first experience having my face thickly made-up. (No wonder they look beautiful on the TV screen!). There were 3 cameras, no audience except for the camera-men and I had to speak as though there were children in front of me. Some time later I was called again this time to preview the recording with the Minister in charge of broadcasting to get his approval. Boy, was I embarassed to see myself on TV and to hear my 'squeaky' voice. Slowly I slid down the seat so that nobody would notice me! Then he said, "OK, let her do it." Hey . . . I didn't plan it this way. But come to think of it, I could reach children all over the country and from then onwards it was history. Every Wednesday after work, to Angkasapuri I went with my Art stuff. I had 2 series - one "Putera Puteri" in black and white lasting 26 weeks and another one two years later "Cumi & Ciki" in colour, especially for the pre-schoolers. In the later programe, I also did puppetry and story-telling besides art and craft. All in all, I was on TV from 1977 to 1984.

I began to enjoy what I was doing, get to meet people outside the Teachers College. And above all I was recognized by most people wherever I went. Once I was at a road-side market, wanting to buy some flowers. On hearing my voice, the young Chinese lady lifted her head and at once recognised me, mentioning excitedly that she and her children liked my program. On other occasions when I had to observe my students at their teaching-practices in schools, children shyly looked at me and smiled. At the shopping centres too, parents would approach me with their kids. That was about 30 years ago! But even now when people hear my voice (which I thought once was 'squeaky') they would recall and would ask me to confirm. Once I was in the plane, the steward upon recognizing me, was so excited saying that when he was young he was one of my fans! Before departing he handed me a bag filled with all sorts of goodies and momentos.

Children would send me their art pieces which I would show on the TV screen. I still keep some of them to remind me that once I was a popular TV personality. And here are some of them. The artists by now are adults with children of their own and I often wonder where they are now.

Nornizam Shadan - 5 , from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Rozihani Baizura - 5, from Klang, Selangor

Norhuda Azman - 6, from Pekan, Pahang

Azwan Bin Awadz, 6 - from Kemaman, Trengganu

Nazlyn Binti Baharudin, 6 - from Kuala kubu Baru, Selangor

Erna Salwana, 6 - from Alor Setar, Kedah

Syabanlina Binti Miskam, 4 1/2 - from Kelana Jaya, Selangor

Noraida Hayati Binti Abu Bakar, 6 - from Taman Keramat, Kuala Lumpur

Suhaka Ahmad, 6 - from Kluang, Johor

Where are we?

Yes . . . where are we? Somewhere in Holland perhaps? There's the familiar windmill . . . Ah well, this is one popular, most photographed corner in historic Melaka town.