CAPTURING HISTORY

On 9th December ,1941 Kelantan was taken over by the invading Japanese Army.My mother was 6 years old and I was born in 1952,living under British Colonial Masters.When I started taking photos on the beach of Bachok about 15 years ago,I began to know that this pillbox was used by The British to defend Malaya during WW11.Over the years,I walked the beach and discovered at least five pillboxes or locally known as Kubu Jepun.They are historical pieces left to rot and swallowed by the South China Sea.I am glad that my photography hobby motivated me to  get to know more about the history of my country-I even went inside this pillbox to see what it looked and felt like.As a structural engineer ,I certified that it was well designed and constructed with good quality concrete!

Changing landscape of a city is historical to me.However,this is work in progress.I began my working life way back in July,1976 at PWD HQ,KL.If my fellow engineer who died 40 years ago and wake up alive now,he will be shocked to death to see the old Race Course along Jalan Ampang has become Petronas HQ with twin towers and surrounded by many more high-rise offices and hotels.I had missed that opportunities to capture life and build environment of KL back then but I am doing now.May be my grand children can see what is happening now in 25 years time.The above photo was captured about 10 years ago.The Eyes of KL is not there any more.By doing photowalks around the CBD,I could see old buildings with great architecture of the British era way back to the 19th century.Sadly,we are stupid blokes who let a few of these heritage buildings in the state of disrepairs.

Pasar Tani is a new version of Pasar Sehari or aka Pasar/Kedai  Nat in Kelantan.In the 60s,the people went to the market to buy things only.But now,more people are eating there.Look at the types of stalls,the food they sell and the dresses they wear.As I grow older,I am watching the history alive!And thank God for the mobile phone with camera attached.I capture as I go along..

The above photo is a very special event that I captured without knowing what it was then.I took this photo because of its beautiful patterns of light and shadows after our solat 'asar at Masjid Al-Hasanah.Only later ,I realised its significance.Looking at the shadows perpendicular to the lines of solat,it showed that the sun was on the line of qibla -where Muslims face when they pray.In Malaysia,it is about 292 degrees.As we know,the sun moves with the seasons/times.Many factors in making this historic event happened.May be it is my first and last opportunity to capture something like this.Thank you,Allah Rabbul 'Alamiin.