Tag:Chinese
Do you remember that scene in Slumdog Millionaire when the boys are hustling at the Taj Mahal? When I looked at the scan below as it came off my scanner earlier this year, that was the scene that flashed into my mind. Except this photo was taken in August 1989 outside a temple in Penang, Malaysia.
I don’t know if I just happened to be in Penang during a ‘fringe’ style event or if this sort of thing just goes on all the time but with a one-day break, the street theater stage than had hosted the Chinese Opera was now hosting a variety show – singing, dancing and comedy. I have to say, I didn’t really get the comedy but the locals seemed to find it funny.
Here’s another image of the roof detail on this Chinese Temple in Georgetown, Penang. Again we have figures in some form of scene or story. The structure behind them looks to be some form of elaborate ship. At right is the prow and in the middle appears to be a sail. I’m left wondering if these were pre-assembled before being mounted on the roof or if they were constructed in-situ.
I was always struck by the ornate roof decorations of these buildings. Like the great cathedrals in Europe, there’s a lot of attention to detail in these places of worship, and also an air of decay.
