Page 139 - Buletin JSKM 2021

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THE MANSION AT 33 HALFWAY ROAD, PENANG
Azlina Mohd Mydin and Wan Anisha Wan Mohammad

It was in 1900 when a young man around the age of 15, O.S.Mydin Bin Shaik Osman
migrated from Big Street in Kadayanallur to Penang, Malaya. It was a time of darkness in
Tamil Nadu (Southern part of India). The residents there were facing economic collapse where
their daily livelihoods were affected, basically hand-woven clothing’s.
Therefore the brave and adventurous O.S.Mydin set out for greener pastures by
migrating to Penang. He sailed to Penang on a sail ship which took about one month to reach
Penang and settled in Kampong Malabar in Penang. There, he worked hard and eventually
when the Chowrasta Market was built, he opened up a grocery shop and started building his
empire. He managed to lease some large houses and harboured the immigrants from India.
O.S.Mydin decided to buy a mansion at no 33 Halfway Road as there are 29 rooms. He
managed to stay at the mansion with his family.
These 33 Halfway Road mansions are well known called as “Periya Kadai”. Many memorable
events have been held. Events like wedding or circumcision reception were held. Prior to the
reception you can see the chickens in basket and slaughtered goats hanging in the portion where
they usually do the grinding. The chefs
would come and slaughter the chickens peel
and wash them before cutting into four
pieces each and they started cooking in giant
sized pots. The chefs would look like old
gladiators. They used Moving large stones
into a three corned position for placing the
large ports that can cook 60 kilos of ghee
rice or 200 pieces of chickens in one port.
Usually, they have four giant ports cooking
at one time. On completion you will find
about 8 to ten pots spread out to cater for the
guests. Stacks of firewood’s will be used for cooking purposes. Using a large steel spade, they
will be stirring and stirring the food so that it will be cooked up to its standard. These scenes
cannot be eradicated from minds that have encountered them.
In the front portion of the mansions will be erected with wooden sheds and placed with
three rows of tables and chairs which can accommodate 24 persons per sitting. In the hallway
of the ground floor further 6 tables and 24 chairs to accommodate additional 24 peoples. In
addition, the rooms in the ground floor will also be used to accommodate 48 peoples (2 tables
each rooms). All in 1000 guests will be entertained with chunks of meat for the wedding
receptions. In 1956 a joint circumcision and wedding reception was held. The grandchildren of
O.S.Mydin were circumcised and the following day a close relative wedding was held. Another
annual event that arouses the tenants is the flag raising ceremony in commemoration of Abdul
Kadir Jailani. Here a big bamboo trunk will be used to raise a green flag and surrounded with
small bamboos of flags and lots of goodies were distributed to the children. On top of that, 35
“gantang” of rice will be used to cook ghee rice and distributed to about 1000 people. Around
15 to 20 ustaz will be employed to recite “Maulud”. The rice will also be distributed to the sub-
tenants at no 20 Hutton Lane also.
Finally at the beginning of this century, the mansion at 33 halfway came to end where
the children of O.S.Mydin had to sell the property and share the wealth among them .The new
landlord tore down the building and built four terrace houses there. Today the Halfway Road
are known as A.S. Mansoor road.