Rodrigues, the first Eurasian to be bestowed the Living Heritage Treasures Award, expressed her gratitude, saying her late partner, James Rozelles, had often wanted her to be recognised for her contribution to the local music scene.
“Music is in my blood. I will sing even if I’m wheelchair-bound,” said the songstress, who is also the daughter of Larry Rodrigues, a Penang musician who performed with jazz pianist and composer Jimmy Boyle for over two decades.
The award, started in 2004 by PHT to honour Penangites they deem guardians of the state’s cultural heritage, entitles its recipients to RM2,000 a year for the rest of their lives, along with public recognition for their contributions to society.
Past winners include civil rights lawyer and poet Cecil Rajendra, the late boria performer Bahroodin Ahmad, the late kebaya artisan Yeap Song Lee, and Anwar Fazal, the “father of Malaysian NGOs”.
For Asan, 78, the award was a recognition of his role in training 20 silambam gurus in the country.
He picked up the Tamil martial art at the age of 14, and most recently, coached the team that secured Malaysia’s first international silambam win in the Asian Open at Qatar.
“This is a prestigious recognition for me and the sport itself. Silambam is not about fighting. It’s about self defence and maintenance of health,” he said.
Asan, who has taught silambam for free for the past 60 years at Balai Rakyat in Gelugor, said he recently started a class for autistic children, with 10 under 12 years of age now learning from him.
PHT also presented a “2025 special award” to arts teacher Tan Chiang Kiong, 93, who taught art at Chung Ling High School for 60 years.
His works, widely celebrated and collected for his personal style which blends traditional Chinese brushwork with Western aesthetics, are on display at the National Art Gallery and in several banks in Singapore.
Tan, from Machang Bubok, is a mentor to many top artists worldwide. He said teaching art to young people has been a satisfying journey and he has never tired of it.
“I still draw in my free time. It keeps my mind active. It is a great honour to be recognised for my work,” he said in Mandarin, translated by his student, Khoo Cheang Jin, who is the president of the Penang Watercolour Society.
This year’s ceremony also acknowledged past awardees, including songkok artisan Haja Mohideen and Teochew puppeteer Toh Ai Wah, who continue to inspire through their crafts.
Loh-Lim Lin Lee, the PHT vice-president and convenor of the awards, said it was important to safeguard Penang’s intangible cultural heritage in the face of modern challenges.
“These awardees represent the best of Penang’s traditions. Their dedication ensures our heritage remains alive for future generations,” she said.
Besides the three winners today, there are 16 recipients of the award, sponsored by HSBC Bank. - FMT
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