Ahmad Fuzi and Khadijah striking a dhol to mark the opening of the state Vaisakhi celebration in George Town, Penang. With them are Chow (fourth from left) and Jagdeep (second left). — Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
STANDING poised with feet grounded, his knees slightly bent and body balanced, Rehmeth Singh, 11, began demonstrating the jaal, one of the many items used in the gatka, a traditional martial art practised by the Sikhs.
Using careful footwork as he advanced, Rehmeth’s movements dazzled the crowd which had gathered at the Esplanade field for the Penang state-level Vaisakhi open house.
The jaal is a net or a series of strings connected to a circular wooden handle and is typically made of nylon or a similar synthetic material.
Rehmeth said he was always curious about gatka from the day he saw some Sikh youths practising it at a gurdwara.
“With my parents’ permission, I started learning the gatka from the age of seven.
A lively bhangra dance performance enthrals visitors at the open house.
“I want to learn and master the physical skill because it is not only a sport but also a form of spiritual devotion,” he said at the open house.
Rehmeth, who was part of a 17-member team from Gurdwara Sahib Kampung Pandan in Kuala Lumpur, said he had been practising the gatka every Sunday.
Gatka originated in the Punjab region. While its roots can be traced back to ancient Indian martial traditions, its development and formalisation are strongly associated with the Sikh gurus, particularly from the time of Guru Hargobind in the early 17th century.
It features fighting with wooden sticks often called “gatka” or “soti”, used to safely practise techniques and simulate sword fighting.
Gatka combines various techniques, including footwork, body movements (which can appear acrobatic in demonstrations), and the handling of different weapons.
The team later demonstrated gatka using other items such as long stick, kirpan (blade) and khanda (double-edged straight sword), which was one of the many performances held at the open house.
Despite the brief rain, the crowd gathered to take part in the event jointly organised by the Penang government and Wadda Gurdwara Sahib.
Traditionally held at Fort Cornwallis, where the first Sikh gurdwara in Malaya was built in 1873, the open house was held at the nearby Esplanade grounds for the first time due to ongoing restoration works at the fort.
Visitors lining up for some ‘chole bhature’.
The crowd at the 21st state-level Vaisakhi open house was treated to vibrant Punjabi and Sikh cultural performances including lively bhangra performances, traditional music, vegetarian food and Sikh cultural practices such as turban tying.
Manager Berry Khoo, 49, brought his wife Zoe Zhen, 36, who is from China, and their seven-year-old son Cody to the event to experience a new culture.
“We were just passing by when we saw the open house. This is our first time at a Vaisakhi event.
“We are glad that we came because I have always wanted to expose my wife and son to the different cultures we have in our country.
“Being here allows us to better understand the Sikh people’s culture and practices,” said Khoo.
Japanese artist Hiro Namba, 42, who was at the open house with his friends Satoko Kawai, 51, and Malaysian C. Joelyn, 40, were spotted at the turban-tying booth.
“This is our first time here and I am excited to see how I will look in a turban!
“Being here gives us a sense of being part of the vibrant mix of various ethnic and religious influences in Malaysia,” said Namba.
Rehmeth (front) demonstrating the ‘jaal’, which is one of the items used in the martial art gatka, while his team members demonstrate with other items.
Kawai said she loves the colourful salwar kameez attire and costume jewellery sold at one of the booths.
Tourists Jens Kjaersgaard, 23, and Juan Hermando, 21, who were passing by the Esplanade, said they could not resist the aroma of the food wafting from the area.
“People kept inviting us to sample free food and then we saw all these booths offering different types of delicious vegetarian food and drinks,” said Kjaersgaard, who was enjoying his chole bhature, a combination of spicy chickpea curry and bhatura – a deep-fried bread.
Hermando said it was nice to see Malaysians of different cultures coming together for a celebration at the open house.
The event was graced by then Penang Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak and his wife Toh Puan Khadijah Mohd Nor.
Ahmad Fuzi officially completed his term as Penang governor on April 30.
Also present were Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo, state executive councillors Zairil Khir Johari and Lim Siew Khim, Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh, Penang mayor Datuk A. Rajendran, and Penang High Court Judge Datuk Anand Ponnudurai.
Chow in his speech, said the open house was held with a support grant of RM60,000.
(From far left) Khoo, his son Cody and wife Zhen looking at some of the colourful traditional Punjabi attire at one of the booths.
“For more than two decades, this event has provided a platform to share Sikh culture and values with the wider community, fostering greater unity and mutual respect in our multi-ethnic society,” he said.
Chow said restoration works at Fort Cornwallis was 89% complete including the revitalisation of the iconic moat.
The project is scheduled for completion by next month and is expected to open to the public in July.
“Once fully restored, we can look forward to returning to Fort Cornwallis next year to celebrate Vaisakhi in its original and meaningful home,” he added.
Chow said the state government had also committed RM100,000 for the restoration of the 122-year-old Wadda Gurdwara Sahib, also known as the Malaya Tapuan Da Gurdwara (Malayan Territories Gurdwara), established in 1903.
The restoration work is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Jagdeep said although the Sikhs are a small community, they will continue to contribute to the success of Penang and Malaysia.
