30 March 2019: Mak Yong – World Heritage Theatre April 15, 2019 – Posted in: Newsletters

Featuring detailed research with rare and vintage photographs from the author’s personal collection, this enormously readable book is intended to alert the public and authorities to the importance of Mak Yong and its current state of endangerment, and to spur eﬀorts towards its safeguarding. In 2005, Mak Yong was designated a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, and included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008. The ancient dance-theatre…

21 Feb 2019: The Tropical Malaysian House — Meet the author & book signing – Posted in: Newsletters

You are cordially invited to this event:

19 Jan 2019: Penang Thaipusam – a journey of faith – Posted in: Newsletters

On Monday January 21, Hindus will celebrate Thaipusam. Every year, thousands of devotees make their way to Penang to participate and witness this “Journey of Faith” that is centred at the Nattukotai Chettiars Thandayuthapani Temple and the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Hilltop Temple. The Thaipusam tradition was brought to Penang through the South Indian diaspora during the late 18th century and has since evolved and grown to such an extent that it has assimilated unique local characteristics…

29 Dec 2018: Recognition for the founder of Kuala Lumpur – Posted in: Newsletters

Hello reader, Popular history credited two people with the founding of Kuala Lumpur. One was the third kapitan Yap Ah Loy and the other was the Bugis aristocrat Raja Abdullah. Both these claims are erroneous, says Abdur-Razzaq Lubis, author of the book Sutan Puasa, Founder of Kuala Lumpur, because their versions of history ignored the presence of Sutan Puasa on the spot at the time. Closer examination reveals that the founding myths of Kuala Lumpur have omitted the…

22 Dec 2018: Botanical beauties captured on postcards – Posted in: Newsletters

We are promoting postcards this week!Postcards are inexpensive, collectible and lasting,making them one of the most ideal gifts all year round. Postcards at RM2 each. Available from our bookshop.

14 Dec 2018: New release – P. Singaram’s ‘Beyond the Sea’ – Posted in: Newsletters

This English translation of a classic Tamil novel, set in the diverse, polyglot world of Penang in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, is a delight to read. Beyond the Sea tells the story of Chellaia, a young man working in a money-lending business, who fancies his boss’s daughter. When his life as a moneylender is disrupted by the Japanese Occupation of Malaya, he, like many of his peers, joins the Indian National Army. After…

24 Nov 2018: Check out our Silverfish selections! April 8, 2019 – Posted in: Newsletters

This month Areca Books celebrates the world of fiction and non-fiction titles, featuring our tasty selections from Silverfish Books.Lovers of well crafted stories from here and there, don’t forget to check these out and more at our new shop or online at www.arecabooks.com ! 25 Malaysian Short Stories: Best of Silverfish New Writing 2001-2005 Bunga Emas (Second Edition) Faultlines 21 Immortals Inspector Mislan and the DUKExpressway Murders Inspector Mislan and the UTube Serial Rapes News From Home…

Terms to determine the founder of KL April 4, 2019 – Posted in: In The News

I refer to the letter by Dr Pushpa Al Bakri Devadason, “Putting history into perspective” (The Star, March 27). Allow me to enlighten readers about who exactly is the “founder” of Kuala Lumpur based upon authoritative sources. To determine the true founder of Kuala Lumpur, one first needs to define the term “founder”. If it refers to “originator”, “establisher” or, as stated by Sharon A. Carstens, as “the first important person on the scene”, the…

Putting history into perspective – Posted in: In The News

Last month, the National Institute of Public Administration (Intan) held its first lecture series for the year under the “INTAN Lecture Series (Integrity)” banner. The lecture aimed at creating a platform for intellectual discourse among civil servants on integrity and nation building. Professor Datuk Dr Ahmad Murad Merican from the Centre for Policy Research and International Studies (CenPRIS) of Universiti Sains Malaysia delivered the lecture titled “Engaging with History, Society and the Nation”, which in…

Hari Wilayah: Makna dan sejarah yang dilupakan – Posted in: In The News

APAKAH makna pengisytiharan Hari Wilayah kepada warga kota khususnya Kuala Lumpur, selain daripada cuti umum? Cuti adalah waktu untuk kita berehat, melepaskan sementara beban-beban kerja, melegakan minda juga lenguh-lenguh badan selepas beberapa hari ‘berperang’ di pejabat dan dalam kesesakan jalan raya. Namun cuti juga membawa makna tersendiri khususnya jika ia disempenakan peristiwa tertentu. Hari Wilayah contohnya, yang kita sambut setiap hari pertama bulan Februari adalah hari untuk kita mengingati penubuhan Wilayah Persekutuan pada tarikh sama…