Malaysians of Indian descent in Penang

Malaysian Indian in Penang
பினாங்கு இந்தியர்கள்
Kaum India di Pulau Pinang
Chulias

A group of Tamil women in Province Wellesley (known as Seberang Perai today), Penang, 1907.
Total population
(173,000 10.1% of Penang total population (2010)(Not include Non resident Indians):[1])
Regions with significant populations
Malaysia (Georgetown and Seberang Perai)
Languages
Tamil (Malaysian Tamil), English, Malaysian, Telugu, Punjabi, Malayalam, Penang Malay, Manglish
Religion
Hinduism (predominantly), Christianity, Sikhism, Islam, Buddhism, Bahá'í Faith, Jainism
Related ethnic groups
Other Malaysian Indians, Chitty, Chindian

Penangite Indians (Malaysian: Kaum India di Pulau Pinang, Tamil:பினாங்கு இந்தியர்கள்), 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 labours 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.^[2] In addition, first Tamil Vernacular School in Malaysia was established in Penang.^[3][4]

History

A photo of Rev. Habb preaching to the Indians in Penang, taken by Kristen Feilberg and exhibited in the 1867 Paris Exhibition.

Already in the 1790s, Light mentions Chulias (that is, people from the Coromandel Coast of India) 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 (from the Sivaganga district of Madras) 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.

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 (English is also widely spoken and understood). Besides Tamil, Urdu is also spoken by a small number of Indian Muslims and Telugu as well as Punjabi is also spoken by ethnic Telugu and Punjabi community. However, young people are more interested in speaking English and English-Tamil mixture macaronic language, Tanglish.^[5] 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 (Pelat Utara) variant as their first and daily language.

Enclave

The Indian Community's Arch at the junction of Chulia & Pitt Streets during the night (right), Penang, 1937.

The Indian Community's Arch at junction of Beach and Chulia Streets during the day (left), Penang, 1937.

Little India 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

A display of Silambam, the Indian stick fighting (top left), a demonstration by "Tiger" Man (top right), and Indian procession (bottom left and right) in Balik Pulau, Penang, 1937.

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

An Indian procession at Balik Pulau, Penang (top left), 1937.

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.

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 (The Essence of the Bible) by Palavendhiram Rayappan was published here. In 1890 Pathaanandha Maalai (A garland of Praise) was published by Mohamed Sultan Maraikkayar. (A list of early books provided.) 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 (Supplement for Students Bell Club). This served as a training ground for budding writers in Tamil. The Thamilar Thirunaal (Tamils Festival, also sponsored by this daily, provided motivation and training for writers with its various literary competitions.

Following these examples, several- associations were formed in Penang to promote and nourish Tamil writing. Among them were the Tamil Youth Bell Club, Valluvar Debating Society, Bharathi Debating Society, the Senthamizh Kala Nilayam and North Malaya Tamil Writers Association.

Poetry can be said to be the most. prolific of the literary output. (A list of significant poets and poetry provided.) 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. (List provided.)

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

• Appalam
• Vennira Iravuggal

Education

The first Tamil vernacular schools in Malaya (now Malaysia) 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.^[6]

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

Notable Penangite Indians

• Abdul Malik Mydin, (1975-) Malaysian solo long-distance swimmer. He was notable as the first Malaysian and Southeast Asian to swim across the English Channel on 3 August 2003.
• Bishan Singh Ram Singh, (1944-2006) Malaysian social activist and environmentalist.
• Cecil Rajendra, (1941-) Malaysian poet and lawyer
• David Arumugam, founding members of the band Alleycats.
• Deborah Priya Henry, (1985-) Miss Malaysia 2007 (of Indian and Irish ancestry)
• Faezah Elai, (1982-) Malaysian actress (of Malay, Thai and Punjabi ancestry)
• Gobind Singh Deo, (1973-) prominent Malaysian lawyer and politician and the Member of Parliament for Puchong, Selangor.
• Jagdeep Singh Deo, (1971-) lawyer and Democratic Action Party (Malaysia) assemblyman for Dato Keramat, Penang.
• Karpal Singh, (1940-2014) Malaysian former lawyer and politician
• Kishva Ambigapathy, (1990-) First Asian Chairperson, Commonwealth Youth Council & Royal Mace Bearer Queen Elizabeth II 90th Birthday ^[7]
• Krishnamurthi Muniandy, (1980-) Malaysian cricketer
• Loganathan Arumugam, (1952-2007) founding members of the band Alleycats.
• M. Manogaran, (1959-) Malaysian politician
• Nicol David, (1983-) World no.1 squash player (of Chinese and Indian ancestry)
• G. Palanivel, (1949-) Minister of Natural Resources and Environment and current president of Malaysian Indian Congress.
• Peter Pragas, (1926-2014) Malaysian composer and musician
• D. S. Ramanathan, first mayor for the city of George Town and founder of Labour Party of Malaya
• Ramkarpal Singh, Malaysian lawyer and politician
• Syed Thajudeen, (1943-) Malaysia well known painter
• Vanessa Raj, professional squash player who represents Malaysia
• Vanida Imran, actress and television host
• S. Veenod, (1988-) Malaysian footballer.
• Vijay Eswaran, (1960-) Malaysian businessman

References

Bibliography

• Sandhu, Kernial Singh (1969), Indians in Malaya-immigration and settlement, Cambridge University Press, p. 29 
• Sinnappah, Anasanatnam (1979), Indians in Malaysia and Singapore, Kuala Lumpur: Oxford University Press, p. 19 
• Snider, Nancy (1968), "What Happened in Penang", Asian Survey, 12: 960–975, doi:10.1525/as.1968.8.12.01p0433y 

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Malaysian Indians
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Ethnolinguistic groups	Tamil Malaysians Chitty Malaysian Telugu Gujarati Malaysian Chindian Kristang people Jawi Peranakan
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