By Melisa Ng | Sep 10, 2009
The Soul Of A Malaysian Garden
Elements of our local and traditional art and craft such as wooden carved panels and timber lattices which take its designs from the traditional Malaysian kilt or kain pelikat are incorporated into the Malaysian garden.
Malaysian garden designs are centred on a pond and water feature, an allusion to ancient settlements that always sprung up near natural water sources such as rivers and streams. Locally crafted pottery with bunga ketumbit carvings or the terra cotta urn which is hand crafted with flora motifs taken from traditional Malay art are used both as a water feature or garden lamp. Garden lamps are one of the most prominent elements in the Malaysian Garden, serving not only as illumination points but also as art pieces. The lampu obor or traditional torch was inspired by the method of lighting used in olden day kampongs when electricity was scarce in many households.
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Replacing the typical garden chairs is the raised timber platform resembling the pangkin, which is commonly used by farmers as a resting spot in farmlands and paddy fields. There is also the kuda-kuda which is fashioned after the ancient coconut scraping device used in Malaysian kampongs and small towns. It can be used for sitting and also as a multipurpose artistic addition to the garden. All these products are made from local Cengal wood and together, they are the essentials needed in the creation of a Malaysian garden.
Malaysian Garden has stamped their mark in foreign countries such as Ireland, Switzerland and Australia. Local celebrities such as the NTV7 Breakfast Show hosts Nasarrudin Rahman and Zaini Ahmad are proud owners of one of these beautiful Malaysian gardens.
How does one interpret our culture in a garden? A Malaysian garden must truly reflect a tropical theme and ideally demonstrate the harmonious fusion of our various cultures — Malay, Chinese and Indian. Only then will we create a mature society, comfortable with ourselves, loyal to our culture and proud to be called Malaysians.
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