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| The Melaka Sultanate Palace (CNB 2009) |
As gleaned from the Sejarah Melayu or Malay Annals, 'the Malay rulers were very particular patrons of the arts. While checking on the workmanship of his new palace, Sultan Mansur Shah expressed his displeasure because one of the crossbeams was undersized and its colour too dark, [so] a new crossbeam was immediately procured to replace it'. A modern rendition of this palace of Sultan Mansur Shah, who ruled Malacca in 1456-1477, is the Melaka Sultanate Palace.
This Museum on the history and culture of the Malay Sultanate of Melaka was opened in 1986. This three-storied building has many rooms and galleries housing various artifacts, prints, photographs and drawings. There are also dioramas depicting historic moments and costume/jewelry exhibits.
On our first visit to this Museum in 1990, I cannot now recall the exhibits, but on the second visit in 2009, I realised that the 'models' used in the dioramas are pugly (pretty ugly; I dare not say fugly in full!). Even Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat. I have always pictured these two heroes as dashing, i.e. tall, dark and very handsome. I blame reading too many Barbara Cartlands during my teens for my romantic perception.
Ref: Zakaria Ali, Notes on the Sejarah Melayu and Royal Malay Art in Malaysian Art; Selected Essays 1979-2009. Penerbit UPSI, 2010. Ex Libris PPAS.
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