It is the second Hari Raya we are going to celebrate amidst the pandemic. The spike in Covid-19 cases is worrying and not visiting each other seems to be a safer option. Nevertheless, it does not stop us from celebrating the festive season, where you can send loved ones and friends Hari Raya treats with an arty and contemporary edge.
Mie's cartoon scroll on a tiffin
If you are a huge fan of comics, we are sure you would have heard of cartoonist Ar Ahmad Hilmy, who is also known as Mie. The well-known cartoonist has launched a unique tiffin set that you don’t want to miss. The design on the tiffin is taken from one of his comic book series entitled Imbauan, which details small town Malaysian life and the cartoonist’s childhood stories.
“‘Imbauan By Mie’ is just a part of my very long drawing on kampung activities in the past, from the 1960s to the 1990s and beyond. The actual drawing is 6m long and 60cm wide.
"I reckon I will be spending Hari Raya in KL this year, where we only have the concrete jungle without this kampung environment I show in my artwork. Hopefully this drawing on the tiffin carrier will allow people to recall the nostalgic moments they used to have in their kampung even if we can’t be there this year due to the pandemic, ” says Mie.
Since many prefer not to eat in the public during this pandemic, this limited edition tiffin would make a practical gift. More details here.
Kide & Ika's 'balik kampung' treat
If you are looking for something to showcase hometown cool while being stuck in the city, the "Ko-tak Balik Kampong" series is for you. It is released by husband and wife artist duo Kide and Ika. Both are artists who are passionate about Malaysian culture and nostalgia.
This artwork series combines Kide’s ink drawings with Ika’s linocut prints. “For the artwork featured on these T-shirts and envelopes, we came up with a typical kampung scene that is a bit of a ‘wonderland’. It depicts the characters dancing among the trees and flowers in the kampung. We hope that it brings happiness to people and serves as a reminder of the joys of ‘balik kampung’, ” says Kide.
While he worked on the male character and the traditional kampung house, she created the female character and all the plants and flowers in this piece.
“We all have people in our hometowns that we miss and we hope that once the pandemic situation improves, we can meet up with our families like we used to before, ” he says.
In the box, there is a T-shirt, a tote bag, five pieces of money packets, an A6 size art print and a sticker series. Unfortunately, the boxes are sold out. The good news: Kide & Ika have some the extra T-shirts and money packets (from the box set) available to purchase separately. You can follow the duo's arty adventures here. You won’t want to miss any limited edition collection from them.
Ramlee and Saloma, the original sonic youth
For this Hari Raya season, pop artist Cultkids has returned with a classic that usually sells out in a blink. His "Ramlee and Saloma" T-shirt offers all the necessary indie cool for the upcoming festive season.
It references Sonic Youth's classic Goo album artwork, but Cultkids - being the golden age Malayan film geek - has given the design a homegrown twist. Cultkids, an avid digital printmaker, has also designed a limited edition print for this "Ramlee and Saloma" design. You can find out more here.
Share the boxed love
Due to interstate travel restrictions, most of us cannot be physically present in our hometown for the big celebrations. Nevertheless, we can still show our love to our family by sending them a gift box prepared by Projek SembangSembang.
In the box, you will find snacks as well as an 80-piece jigsaw puzzle. Also in the gift box, there are 10 pieces of festive envelopes that come with various designs and postcards where the team could write a message on behalf of you.
“Pen merah pen biru sampul merah untuk you” was written on one of the envelopes. With the sentences that rhyme and the adorable cartoon drawings, you will definitely fall for it! More info here.
Delicious puzzles to complete
Since we are encouraged to stay home, you might be wondering how you should spend your time at home. Pico Olo has got your back! Grab one of its jigsaw puzzles named "By The Kuih" now. With the 1,000- piece puzzle, you won’t be bored.
As the name suggests, the puzzles celebrate different kinds of local kuih. Just make sure you have some of your favourite kuih types at home or else you might be drooling while putting the puzzle together. Have fun testing your knowledge on our local kuih too! More details here.
Transform that duit raya packet
Do you still remember how to play the traditional games like congkak and gasing? Inspired by such old days games, Summorie's festive envelope series aims to lead you down memory lane this Hari Raya. When pulling out the packet, the festive envelope will transform into a little animated optical illusion play.
If you and your family enjoy playing with the envelope, perhaps it is time to look for your congkak or gasing set that has been left in the store room collecting dust. Check out how the optical illusion works here.
Memories to sweeten the season
Kirin, the illustrator and the owner of bunga & bintang, will be longing for a Hari Raya balik kampung. But it won't be happening because of the pandemic.
To lift the moods for the festive season, she has incorporated beautiful family memories - like visiting relatives and cooking lemang with her grandmother - into her Hari Raya postcard series.
Kirin, who is well-known for her flora illustrations, has delivered a sweet and lovely new series. More info here.
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