So there’s a new theory on Batu Caves by a writer who loves folklore and doesn’t know geography.

So when I read this I knew I had to reply as sensible as possible.

Si Tanggang or Malin Kundang is a folklore on an ungrateful son who together with his ship and all the sailors turned into stone after being cursed by his dejected mother.

Now the writer claims that based on the 1955 novel written by Abdul Samad Ahmad the stone ship in question is non-other than Batu Caves.

So was Si Tanggang folklore based in Batu Caves. 

Here’s my answer and comment to the article.

lol ok lets talk facts and get some geography lessons.

Abdul Samad Ahmad was born in 1913

K. Thamboosamy Pillai, an Indian trader, in the 1800s who also founded  the Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Kuala Lumpur, founded the temple cave in 1891 and the first Thaipusam was held in 1892. Which means Thaipusam has been held there for 120 years.

Now Abdul Samad Ahmad wrote Si tanggang in 1955.

Although Si Tanggang is not really an original story since similar versions can be found around Asia, the most popular being Malin Kundang. The ship or its remains can be found in Pantai Aia Manih, south of Kota Padang, West Sumatera. Please check the photos at the link for the ship ;p

So you've written an article based on a folklore written in 1955? some 57 years ago by a writer who was not even born when the temple was founded ;))

Now If you've based this on the orang asli (aborigines) legend - people who continue to be forgotten and side stepped in this country - again this can only be nothing but a legend because

1 Batu caves formation is said to be 400 years old.

2 Geologically Malaysia's current map shape has been pretty much the same size for some 6000 years. According to the prehistory geological evolution of Malaysia and the world, the available land has continued to shrink in size and is slowly being taken over by water. Yeah we are continuously in risk of losing our precious coastlines.

Take a look at this for some prehistory lessons.

This itself proves that is totally ridiculous to assume Batu Caves could have been Si Tanggangs ship as it is right smack in the middle of Selangor and towards the border of Perak, the nearest ocean coastline is around Klang which is about 60 kms away. No ship that size could have berthed so far away from the sea. 

I suggest that you go back and study geography please and let's keep SI Tanggang what it is a folklore.

So in conclusion you are the most awesomest man in Malaysia la macha ;)) Can become writer of folklore or cerita dongeng.

To the writer 

YOur article wasn't racists but its definitively disrespectful. Saying that we've misunderstood and that it was about respecting ones parents is ridiculous and makes you look like a politician who said the wrong thing.

If your article was about respecting one's parents and you knew that this is a myth, why do you insist the the mango tree was from the mango Si Tanggangs mother threw and for that we should be a statue as tall as Lord Muruga's statue? What kind of fantasy world are you living in that you think a myth that has no geographical evidence is true?

If your article was about respecting one's parents, wheres the stories about youth disrespecting parents? The whole article is about your fascination on the story and search to see the ship. Neither the ship existed nor any part of the story besides you insisting on 1 mango tree being the evidence of its existance.

I suggest you learn how to write and understand the importance of research before writing something ridiculous.

Those who have been following this blog for years now are probably wondering wheres the Thaipusam post. Well its been a super awesome Thaipusam and hence no posts.

This year I shot a wedding on the night of the chariots journey to Batu Caves. So you can imagine how hectic my day would have been.

I left the wedding hall and headed home to drop my equipment and rest a bit. Then mom joined me in our quest to look for the chariot – I was pretty certain it would still be at the usual place but one guy sent us on a goose chase to Masjid India before we found it again in Leboh Ampang where lion dances, urumi melam and kompangs were waiting for the chariot.

   

Ah I absolutely loved how the chariot looked this year. I had mumbled to one of the annas that I didn’t like the fluorescent tubes and preferred the solidary bulbs and looks like someone listened to me.

When we were there some group gave a 12 feet malai that was so heavy – 8 guys had to carry it.

Muruga looked so dashing as he made his way around KL. I was at Batu Caves three times this year, first on the evening before to see the festival flag hoisted and then early the next morning for my river photos and finally in the evening to climb to the inner caves.

The crowds were epic this year. When I arrived in the morning both sides of the flyover was jammed up with people. Even when we returned in the evening the crowds were just growing in numbers.

Every year it’s a tradition for me to go see the chariot leave and on its way back we will do prayers in KL. A few years once we will try to make it for the final pooja at KL Maha Mariamman Temple. Since the chariot procession grew ultra famous the timing has gotten later and later. The chariot only arrived at 3.30am in Leboh Ampang. All this is because the number of people doing prayers and breaking coconuts in the thousands has increased tenfold.

The chariot is so tall and the idols are so heavy that they have to use a forklift to lift and bring down Murugan each time.

 

Right after the prayers they had been giving out his garlands and the fruits to everyone who was there. Everyone who attended got something. As we are annual ubhayakarargal, mom was given a kalanji.  I was standing in front of Murugan and watching them remove his gold ornaments. He looked so gorgeous ;p

One of the annes asked if I wanted something. At first I said no but then I had been eyeing the little crown garlands. So I said can I get a kutty flower or garland. Instantly I was given the small malai from his neck (you can see it in the photo - its the one with red green at his side) ;))) obviously I was too happy for words and skipped away, garland in hand ;p

I said goodbye to Muruga and left and with that Thaipusam 2012 has officially ended.

I have much to write about it though so look out for more posts soon.  

Oh if you're looking for the photos of the kavadis - checkout my fb page ;) 

So many people have wanted to know where I got the inspiration or how. That is a story on its on and I shall leave it for later.