Retired teacher to display handicraft trove at rally

BUTTERWORTH, Aug 10, 2004
The Star

A 62-year-old handicraft maker will display his labour of love at the national-level inaugural peace rally in Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 21.

The Amanpeace celebration is being held in conjunction with National Day as well as the 400th anniversary of the First Installation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (the Sikh holy book).

Retired English and History teacher Malkiat Singh Lopo said as his handicraft collection totalled more than 1,000 pieces, he and his wife had been spending their nights over the past two weeks packing the exhibits to be sent to Kuala Lumpur.

“The house has been a flurry of activity as we have to locate all the pieces, which are kept in cupboards or in boxes underneath our beds.

LABOUR OF LOVE: Malkiat Singh giving a final polish to some ceremonial swords which are part of his collection of Sikh artefacts and handicraft, at his home in Penang on Tuesday.
“The collection was last exhibited in 1999 during a Sikh celebration in Ipoh,” said the grandfather.

Described as a living museum, his Seberang Jaya home is a treasure trove of traditional Sikh handicraft, rare books, ceremonial swords and historical records.

Malkiat Singh said he enjoyed making handicraft such as traditional costumes for dolls, fans, belts, embroidered pillowcases and quilts.

“However, for selfish reasons, none of them are for sale,” he added.

Malkiat Singh said the collection would also be shown at the Kuala Lumpur Gurdwara Sahib Tatt Khalsa from Aug 22 to 29.