Malaysians of Indian descent in Penang


Penangite Indians, also known as Chulias are Malaysian Indians that live primarily in the state of Penang, Malaysia. Most are the descendants from those who migrated from India during the British colonisation of Malaya. However, historical sources prove that the ancient Indians arrived in Penang during the Chola dynasty. Today, the Penangite Indians are one of the most successful ethnic groups in Penang state and whole of Malaysia. Penangite Indians forms a large percentage of the state's professional community such as business, law and medicine as well as politics, it can be proved by the appointment of Dr P. Ramasamy as deputy chief minister of Penang. It made him the first Malaysian of Indian origin to hold the post of deputy chief minister in any state of Malaysia. In addition, first Tamil Vernacular School in Malaysia was established in Penang.

History

Already in the 1790s, Light mentions Chulias as shopkeepers and farm labourers in Penang. Light estimated that about two thousand men came to work in this manner each year. however, in contrast to the Chinese, these labourers did not create a permanent settlement in Penang. They would, rather, work long enough to save money and then return to their families in south India. This group of migrants comprised the ‘Adi Dravidas,’ a group of impoverished labourers originating in the hinterlands of the Tamil country and Andhra Desa who, facing insufficient work in their homeland, went abroad for survival.
Another class of Indian migrants was a class of people hailing from the Kaveri delta areas known as ‘Nattukottai Chettiars’ who were by occupation money-lenders. Their presence in Penang and elsewhere where plantations sprang up aided merchants, miners, and planters, as these Chettiars were advancing required working capital in the absence of any effective banks. Light also encouraged migration by the Chettiar community as part of his plan to create a cash economy on Penang.
Unlike the Tamil migrants, Telugu migrants from the northern Coromandel Coast came to Penang as families. For this reason, many did not leave when their work terms expired, but rather continued working on plantations or as merchants. Over 1,500,000 south Indians who worked in Malayan plantations, more than three-fourths returned to India, nearly all of them Tamil.
As a result of the occupation of Malaysia, the Japanese killed about 150,000+ Indian Tamils of Malaysia and Burma in Burma within a period of time after arriving for slave labour work of constructing the Myanamr rail.
Beginning with Light, Penang boasted a tradition of religious and ethnic tolerance. All races could practice their respective religious faith and social stability in a multi-racial society was thus achieved.

Language

The main language spoken by Indians in Penang is Malaysian Tamil dialect of Tamil language in addition to the country's official and national language Malaysian. Besides Tamil, Urdu is also spoken by a small number of Indian Muslims and Telugu as well as Malayalam and Punjabi is also spoken by ethnic Telugu, Malayalam and Punjabi community. However, young people are more interested in speaking English and English-Tamil mixture macaronic language, Tanglish. Ethnic Jawi Peranakan, a Muslim creole ethnic group of mixed Indian, Malay and Arab ancestry with predominantly Indian origin mostly use Malay as their first language in addition to English. Another distinct group of Indian Muslims known as Mamak use the Penang Malay variant as their first and daily language. Historically, Penang Hokkien was referred to as a lingua franca of Penang before the rise in the use of Mandarin and English. Penang Hokkien is still used by some members of the Penangite Indian community particularly street vendors.

Enclave

in the city of George Town is a well-known Indian enclave in Malaysia. It Covers an area around Lebuh Queen, Lebuh Chulia and Market Street. Its location at the centre of Penang Heritage Zone and nearby Penang's main finance centre, Beach Street makes it one of the most famous and notable shopping spot in Penang among local and international tourists.

Culture

Cuisine

Indian cuisine in Penang is a phenomenon in Malaysian cuisine. Dishes like Nasi Kandar and Roti Canai are not only the most popular dishes in Penang, but throughout Malaysia. Indian food in Penang is heavily influenced by the Chitty cuisine.

Festival

One of the biggest festivals in Penang is a Hindu religious festival called Thaipusam. Thaipusam is dedicated to the lord Murugan. Deepavali, better known as the 'Festival of Lights', is another major Hindu festival celebrated by all Hindus. Tamils celebrate the harvest festival of Pongal, which is usually held 13 to 16 January. Similar celebrations, known as Makar Sankranti is celebrated by most other Indian communities and Punjabis called them as Lohri. While Indian Christians celebrate Christmas Day and Good Friday. Indian Muslims, Jawi Peranakans and Mamaks celebrates Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha along with the country's other Muslim groups like their ethnic Malay counterparts.

Thaipusam

Theppa Thiruvizha

Theppa Thiruvizha or floating chariot festival is consider as one of the most important festival in Penang after Thaipusam. The annual festival hosted by Sri Singamuga Kaliamman Temple at Teluk Bahang.
A celebration to thank the goddess, Sri Singamuga Kaliamman, for her good grace and to beseech her to continue providing devotees with protection and prosperity, Theppa Thiruvizha only takes place during Masi Magam, the 11th month1 in the Tamil calendar. It is a day when temple idols are taken out for a ceremonial bath. Thousands travel from all over Malaysia to take part in the festivities.
The day begins with morning prayers; the devotees who attend bring milk as an offering to the goddess. In the afternoon, the floating chariot is carefully pushed into the sea by temple president Sadha Sivam, the youth club members and other temple members. Later, after evening prayers, the idol of the goddess is carried to the chariot

Literature

he first known Tamil magazine called Thangai Nesan was published in 1876. Two other magazines Ulaka Nesan and Hindu Nesan were published in 1887 and 1888 respectively. We also know that in 1887 a book entitled Sathiya Vedha Sarithira Saaram by Palavendhiram Rayappan was published here. In 1890 Pathaanandha Maalai was published by Mohamed Sultan Maraikkayar.
Many of these books and magazines were produced by Indian immigrants and much of the literary output was in the form of poetry and some of the notable poets of recent times were Swami Ramadasar, Panaikkulam M. Abdul Majid and N.Karim. This tradition continues today with home-grown writers and poets.
In the early fifties Tamil Murasu, a Singapore Tamil daily, began a student supplement called Maanavar Manimandra Malar. This served as a training ground for budding writers in Tamil. The Thamilar Thirunaal Following this is the significant production of short stories. The Penang-based writers’ list is long, but among them are Murugaiyan, Dato P. Shanmugam, A. Kadir, CT. Ramasamy, Anthony Muthu, S. Anbanantham, M. Sultan etc.
Significant contribution from Penang to Malaysian Tamil literature includes writings of K. Sonaimuthu with several of his biographies and essays, and R. Karthigesu with his novels. While writers like Karthigesu and Seeni Naina Mohamed came into Penang from other states, Penang has also lost some of its illustrious writers like M. Asan Gani, M. Sultan, and Karaikizhaar to other states.
A current list of writers is appended. Almost all the writers in our list belong to an older generation, and it is a thing of great concern that writers from the younger generation are scarce.

Penangite Indian movies

The first Tamil vernacular schools in Malaya was set up in Penang under the Labour Code. In 2014, the Penang government brought a motion to open the first Tamil vernacular secondary school in Malaysia at Penang. But for political reasons this proposal was rejected by the central government.
Indian Malaysians also form the bulk of English teachers in Penang. Law and medicine has traditionally been a preferred career option by Indian families although younger Indians now venturing into other fields such as engineering, finance and entrepreneurship

List of Tamil schools in Penang and Perak

♦ SJK Ladang Jawi
♦ SJK Ladang Alma
♦ SJK Ladang Juru
♦ SJK Ladang Malakoff
♦ SJK Ladang Mayfield
♦ SJK Ladang Prye
♦ SJK Ramakrishna
♦ SJK Sungai Ara
♦ SJK Ladang Valdor
♦ SJK Sungai Bakap
♦ SJK Azad
♦ SJK Bayan Lepas
♦ SJK Bukit Mertajam
♦ SJK Ladang Byram
♦ SJK Nibong Tebal
♦ SJK Ladang Changkat
♦ SJK Ladang Sempah
♦ SJK Ladang Krian
♦ SJK Ladang Transkrian
♦ SJK Permatang Tinggi
♦ SJK Palaniandy
♦ SJK Mak Mandin
♦ SJK Perai
♦ SJK Jalan Sungai
♦ SJK Tasik Permai
♦ SJK Ladang Batu Kawan
♦ SJK Perak Sangeetha Sabah, Ipoh
♦ SJK Kerajaan, Jalan Sungai Pari, Ipoh
♦ SJK Ladang Yam Seng, Semanggol
♦ SJK Ladang Changkat Salak, Salak Utara
♦ SJK Ladang Selaba, Teluk Intan
♦ SJK Ladang Jendarata 1, Teluk Intan
♦ SJK Ladang Jendarata 2
♦ SJK Ladang Jendarata 3
♦ SJK Ladang Getah Taiping
♦ SJK Pangkor
♦ SJK Taman Desa Pinji
♦ SJK Kampung Tun Sambanthan, Ayer Tawar
♦ SJK Ladang Ayer Tawar
♦ SJK Ladang Cluny
♦ SJK Ladang Banopdane
♦ SJK Kampung Baru Matang
♦ SJK Ladang Sogomana
♦ SJK Kampong Colombia, Ayer Tawar
♦ SJK Flemington
♦ SJK Bandar Behrang
♦ SJK Batak Rabit
♦ SJK Jebong Lama
♦ SJK Ladang Kota Bahroe
♦ SJK Methodist Malim Nawar
♦ SJK Ladang Gapis
♦ SJK Nova Scotia 2
♦ SJK Ayer Tawar
♦ SJK Tapah
♦ SJK Khir Johari
♦ SJK Tun Sambanthan
♦ SJK Bharathy
♦ SJK Sungkai
♦ SJK Slim River
♦ SJK Slim Village
♦ SJK Tan Sri Dato' Manickavasagam
♦ SJK Tong Wah
♦ SJK Ladang Bidor Tahan
♦ SJK Bikam
♦ SJK Sungai Kruit
♦ SJK Ladang Sunkai
♦ SJK Trolak
♦ SJK Kelapa Bali
♦ SJK Ladang Behrang River
♦ SJK Ladang Katoyang
♦ SJK Ladang Cashwood
♦ SJK Maha Ganesa Viddyasalai
♦ SJK Chettiars
♦ SJK Pengkalan Baru
♦ SJK Ladang Huntly
♦ SJK Ladang Walbrook
♦ SJK Ladang Sungai Wangi 2
♦ SJK Mukim Pundut
♦ SJK Kampung Kayan
♦ SJK Beruas
♦ SJK Tanjong Rambutan
♦ SJK St. Philomena Convent
♦ SJK Perak Sangeetha Sabah
♦ SJK Kampung Simee
♦ SJK Gunong Rapat
♦ SJK Menglembu
♦ SJK Cangkat
♦ SJK Tronoh
♦ SJK Gopeng
♦ SJK Methodist, Buntong Ipoh
♦ SJK Ladang Chemor
♦ SJK Ladang Changkat Kiding
♦ SJK Klebang
♦ SJK Ladang Strathisla
♦ SJK Ladang Kinta Vally
♦ SJK Mambang Diawan
♦ SJK Kampar
♦ SJK Ladang Kampar
♦ SJK Ladang Selinsing
♦ SJK Kuala Kurau
♦ SJK Simpang Lima
♦ SJK Bagan Serai
♦ SJK Saint Mary's
♦ SJK Ladang Sungai Bogak
♦ SJK Ladang Gula
♦ SJK Ladang Chersonese
♦ SJK Ladang Jin Seng
♦ SJK Ladang Soon Lee
♦ SJK Arumugam Pillai
♦ SJK Ladang Kelumpong
♦ SJK Ladang Gedong
♦ SJK Ladang Sungai Biong
♦ SJK Mahathma Gandi Kalasalai
♦ SJK Gandhi Memorial
♦ SJK Ladang Kati
♦ SJK Ladang Gapis
♦ SJK Ladang Perak River Valley
♦ SJK Enggor
♦ SJK Ladang Elphil
♦ SJK Ladang Sungai Reyla
♦ SJK Ladang Dovenby
♦ SJK Thiruvalluvar
♦ SJK Sithambaram Pillay
♦ SJK Ladang Sussex
♦ SJK Netesa Pillay
♦ SJK Ladang Sungai Timah
♦ SJK Ladang Sabrang
♦ SJK Ladang Nova Scotia 1
♦ SJK Ladang Rubana 1
♦ SJK Ladang Teluk Buloh
♦ SJK Ladang Jendarata Bahagian Alpha Bernam
♦ SJK Ladang Flemington
♦ SJK Ladang Teluk Bharu
♦ SJK Ladang Kuala Bernam
♦ SJK Bagan Datoh
♦ SJK Ladang Strathmashie
♦ SJK Ladang New Coconut
♦ SJK Ladang Ulu Bernam 2
♦ SJK ladang Sungai Samak
♦ SJK Ladang Kamatchy
♦ SJK Kamunting
♦ SJK YMHA
♦ SJK St Teresa's Convent
♦ SJK Ulu Sepetang
♦ SJK Selama
♦ SJK Pondok Tanjung
♦ SJK Ladang Holyrood
♦ SJK Ladang Malaya
♦ SJK Ladang Sin Wah
♦ SJK Ladang Lauderdale
♦ SJK Ladang Matang
♦ SJK Kampong Baru
♦ SJK Ladang Allagar
♦ SJK Ladang Temerloh
♦ SJK Ladang Stoughton
♦ SJK Pengkalan Hulu
♦ SJK Gerik
♦ SJK Ladang Kota Lima
♦ SJK Ladang Glenealy
♦ SJK Ladang Serapoh
♦ SJK Ladang Buloh Akar

Notable Penangite Indians