Dhiyaul putting the final touches on his mural themed ‘Rasa dan Warna’. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN/TheStar
A MURAL depicting Malaysians having breakfast with a tourist on a wall along Jalan Dato Hamzah has won the hearts of the community in Klang’s Little India.
Dhiyaul Mohamad Ashraf, 34, who painted the mural themed “Rasa dan Warna”, said he used a limited colour scheme (which focuses on a few hues and their variations) to create a sense of harmony and visual unity among all the races.
“It is a scene from a kopitiam, with locals treating a foreigner to breakfast,” said the father of three, whose works often leave passers-by captivated.
The mural took seven hours over four days to complete.
Dhiyaul’s talent can be seen with each brush stroke, which brightens the otherwise drab wall.
Kelantan-born Dhiyaul, who holds a bachelor’s degree in graphic and multimedia from Universiti Tenaga Nasional (Uniten), said his love for art began during his kindergarten years and went on to become a leisure pursuit as he grew up.
In 2022, his efforts were recognised when he won the Selangor Action for Youth Award in the Arts and Creative category.
News vendor, Mohammed Iqbal Abdul Razak, 76, said the murals injected colour and artistic expression into urban environments, making public spaces more appealing and inviting.
Tourism Selangor chief executive officer Chua Yee Ling also said murals depicting the local identity of cities such as Klang could revitalise neglected areas, attract tourists and create a sense of belonging for locals.
Local businesses also benefit from increased foot traffic from those coming to view the murals, she said.
“Murals can breathe new life into an area if they depict local stories, cultural elements and historical events, which can reinforce a sense of shared identity and pride among residents,” said Chua. — By EDWARD RAJENDRA
