The mural painting in Alor Setar is divided into two parts with the first part stretching 12m showing the beauty of padi fields, while the second part, stretching 25m, is done in black and white, depicting the challenges faced by padi farmers in 1879. Photo: Bernama
A mural depicting the beauty of padi fields against the backdrop of Gunung Jerai in Kedah and how rice was cultivated in 1879 is Alor Setar’s latest attraction.
The artwork themed Alor Setar Tradisi 1879 on the wall of the old Alor Setar district police headquarters in Jalan Penjara is an initiative of the Alor Setar City Council (MBAS) in beautifying the city as well as telling the history of traditional rice cultivation in the northern state.
The 37m long painting was produced by a group of artists who were commissioned to illustrate the conditions or the rice cultivation process practised by rural farmers in 1879.
The mural painting is divided into two parts with the first part stretching 12m showing the beauty of padi fields on a sunny day with a combination of lively hues.The second part, stretching 25m, is done in black and white, depicting the tough challenges faced by the padi farmer community in 1879 to cultivate rice, including planting, harvesting and plowing using buffaloes.
'I hope this mural can bring back memories and a touch of nostalgia besides educating the younger generation about the hardships of farmers who used to grow rice and earn a living,' says Chen. Photo: Bernama
Meanwhile, the main artist of the mural painting Datuk Chen Teck Ming, 55, said he and 10 other individuals started the painting on Sept 29 and would be completing it soon.
"To produce this mural painting we use waterproof and weatherproof paint to ensure durability. I hope this artwork can bring back memories and a touch of nostalgia besides educating the younger generation about the hardships of farmers who used to grow rice and earn a living, ” he said.
No stranger to murals, Chen was instrumental in producing a mural on a 27metre long wall with a height of 14m at a premises in Jalan Abdul Jalil, Taiping, Perak, which was recorded in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) as the biggest outdoor mural painting in the country last year. - Bernama
