Tamil Street, or Lebuh Tamil, is also known as Ke1ling3na4 Ban3san1, meaning “South Indian Market”. It belongs to the Indian Muslim petty trading enclave which is active around the Chowrasta Market. Tamil street runs along the southern side of the market, and lined with shophouses on one side. During day time, there are makeshift hawker stalls stationed at both sides of this short and narrow street, selling popular Indian Muslim fare such as teh halia (spiced ginger tea), ais tingkap (window sherbet) and cucur udang (prawn fritters). The shophouses on the other hand, host a variety of businesses which are operated by people from different ethnicities.

 

The drawings presented here are Lefty’s graphic documentation of a Chinese-run grocery shop on Tamil Street. The shop caters to a predominantly non-Chinese customer base that ranges from local housewives to petty traders. To fit into its customers’ everyday marketing routines, the products sold here are carefully “curated” based on their cultural practices and preferences, for example, the availability of seasonal goods in conjunction with specific festivities.

 

Outside the shop, at the opposite side of the road is the famous teh halia stall. A packet of freshly made drinks is just a yell away, delivered to the Chinese shopkeeper in no time. In this locality, the artist was particularly interested in the interdependent relationships among the locals which contribute to a mini yet dynamic multicultural ecosystem.