The Heritage Space

06/09/2026

🇲🇾 Selamat Hari Merdeka! 🇲🇾

What an incredible 3 day celebration at Lotus Desaru Beach Resort & Spa! ✨

From heritage exhibitions showcasing traditional artifacts and culinary treasures, to a marketplace bursting with local crafts and flavors This Merdeka celebration truly brought our community together.

The highlight is our special performance "Pages of Time" 📖 a beautiful journey through old time melodies woven together with traditional dance.

And in true Malaysian spirit, we celebrated Cultural Confluence through a stunning showcase of Malay, Chinese, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Melaka Chetti dance. A true reflection of the unity in diversity that makes Malaysia so special. 💃🕺
69 years of independence, and still celebrating together as one. 🎉

Thank you to everyone who joined us in making this a memorable Merdeka! 🇲🇾

06/09/2026

🌺 Kebaya — Then & Now

What a beautiful morning celebrating a piece of Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage.

The programme began with “Kebaya Then & Now”, where Mr. Theipaan Raaj took us on a journey through the evolution of the kebaya — from its traditional roots to how it continues to be reimagined and embraced today. The kebaya is more than just a garment; it carries stories of identity, heritage, craftsmanship and the generations who have worn it.

This was followed by a beautiful Malacca Chetti dance, bringing to life the traditions, stories and identity of the Chetti community through movement and music.

Adding to the celebration was the display of one beautiful kebaya set from Auntie Thanam’s collection, offering a glimpse into the elegance, craftsmanship and story held within a single treasured piece.

From fashion to dance, from stories of the past to expressions of today — the morning reminded us that heritage is not simply something we inherit. It is something we continue to live, celebrate and pass on.

A heartfelt appreciation to everyone who made this meaningful celebration possible, and to Universiti Malaya, Muzium Seni Asia and The Heritage Space for bringing these stories together.

Our heritage. Our stories. Our identity.
Our Kebaya Kita. 🌺

09/08/2026

Happy sunday from the heritage space, sharing an excerpt from our recently published book, The Straits Born Chetti, Chronicles of the Peranakan Indians. To order a copy, whatsapp Nironjini at 016 968 4732 today

04/08/2026

31/07/2026

30/07/2026

A glimpse into the living heritage of the Melaka Chetties. Discover their complete story in the book 'The Straits Born Chetti: Chronicles of the Peranakan Indians', the culmination of over a decade of research, bringing together rare archival records, oral histories, historic photographs, illustrations and community memories to document one of the world's oldest Indian diasporic communities.

Catch the book launch and accompanying documentary screening of 'The Straits Born Chetti, Chronicles of the Peranakan Indians,' at The Peranakan Exchange 2026, a multidisciplinary celebration of history, heritage and culture.

1 August 2026
10.00am onwards.
Auditorium Muzium Negara, Kuala Lumpur

WhatsApp Nironjini at 0169684732 to reserve your seats or to preorder a copy of the book

🙏 We look forward to welcoming you!