Saari with a miniature replica at his workshop and gallery at the Urban Transformation Centre in Ipoh, Perak. — Photos: Bernama
VETERAN carpenter Saari Ali, 70, has carved a name for himself making miniature Malay houses, a skill he inherited from his father and developed over 40 years.
He used to accompany his late father, Ali Mat Rashid who built houses for a living.
Through these experiences, he honed his skills in woodcraft, particularly in constructing traditional Malay houses.
Today, after four decades in the trade, the master craftsman from Gopeng remains dedicated to construction but has shifted his focus to crafting miniature houses.
With the carpentry expertise and experience passed down from his father, Saari recreates traditional houses with remarkable accuracy, entirely from memory, without the need for sketches or blueprints.
The father of four said that in crafting these replicas, he relied on photographs he took during village visits and images provided by customers as references.
Saari holding a replica house at Galeri Tisha. He also does oil paintings.
“I never imagined that my skill of turning pieces of wood into miniature houses would one day become a source of income for my family.
“I learned carpentry from my father, and from there, my passion for creating traditional Malay house replicas grew,” he told Bernama when met at Galeri Tisha, located at the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) in Ipoh, Perak.
Saari said many of his house replicas were inspired by cherished memories of working alongside his father, as well as his appreciation for traditional architecture.
“Typically, if someone works as a carpenter, it’s easier for them to transition into making traditional house replicas since they already have the basic skills.
“I never had formal training and learned from working with my late father,” said Saari, who also has a talent for oil painting on canvas.
Saari hard at work producing a model house.
Each replica he crafts reflects the architectural styles of various villages he has visited, particularly in Perak.
“If you visit Kampung Gajah, Parit or Kuala Kangsar, you’ll notice that each traditional house has its own unique design, with slight variations.
“My goal is to create replicas of every type of traditional house found in Perak.
“I often receive orders for Melaka, Johor and Negri Sembilan Minangkabau-style houses, the latter of which is particularly popular,” he said.
It takes anywhere from three weeks to a month to complete one replica, depending on the size.
“Each replica must have windows, pillars, staircases, intricate carvings and decorative motifs to ensure it closely resembles the original house,” said Saari.
“I can’t simply design whatever I want because each replica is based on an actual house.
“My goal is to produce more traditional house replicas for future generations to appreciate.
(Far left) The replicas are based on real houses and Saari makes sure the details are the same.
“Many youngsters today have never had the experience of living in a traditional house.
“If you visit villages now, you’ll see that many of these homes are no longer occupied,” he said.
His miniature houses typically measure 0.3m in height and 0.6m in length, with prices ranging from RM1,000 to RM5,000 depending on the size and style.
“The smaller the replica, the more expensive it is, as the work is more intricate,” he said.
Saari hopes someone will continue his legacy, but he has observed little interest among the younger generation.
“So far, no young person has come to my gallery at Pasar Besar Ipoh, which has been open since 1983, to learn this skill.”
Galeri Tisha, named after his daughter Nur Fatisha, serves as his workshop and also a space where he paints alongside her, as she shares his passion for art.
