GEORGE TOWN: A traditional Tanjore painting on wood is among the rare exhibits at the newly opened Indian Heritage Gallery and Cultural Centre here.
Seldom seen outside India, the artwork features a detailed Hindu wedding scene with priests gathered around a sacred fire, accompanied by musicians and guests.
The collection is rich in reds, greens, chalk white, turquoise and gold foil, with glass bead inlays.
Other artefacts include traditional Indian clay statues painted with vegetable dyes, antique brass household containers once used for storing rainwater, Indian rupees and old copper coins dating back to the Chola and Chera dynasties of South India.
These items, which are significant to India’s centuries-old history and culture, are rarely found outside the country.
Resident guide Joanne Lim said the curated pieces hold special meaning in reflecting the history and cultural contributions of the Indian community in Penang and the region.
“The items show what life was like in earlier times, when brass was a household staple in kitchens and older art forms were more common.
“These pieces share stories of history and the evolution over the years, especially in terms of currency,” she said at the privately owned centre along Lebuh Pantai on Friday.
The centre features over 20,000 artefacts, vintage items and memorabilia housed in a 14,000sq ft shophouse.
At the opening ceremony, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the gallery offers valuable insight into Indian heritage, serving not just as a display of artefacts but as a space for storytelling.
“It captures journeys, identities and shared experiences, while giving visitors, especially the younger generation, a deeper understanding of the Indian community’s role in Penang’s development,” he said.
