The works of Ooi Cheng Ghee are truly a hidden gem for those who appreciate the value of history and culture of bygone Penang. Entitled “Portraits of Penang: Little India”, this book is printed in a beautifully designed large format and comprises of 160 black and white images taken way back in 1979. “During that time, Penang was facing an economic slump. “The urban centre was facing a downward spiral, and that was why I took to walking the streets to see for myself the extend of the decline,” explained the doctor who admitted the experience as an eye-opener. Ooi’s photos, accompanied by essays and commentaries by Gareth Richards and Himanshu Bhatt tells a soulful and heartfelt tale through the lenses of a dedicated and accomplished hobbyist who is also an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society in the UK. The images reflect a particular historical moment when the Penang free-port status had just been revoked and the Indian enclave was undergoing a difficult transition...
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