I Love KL

Pre-war shophouses are a crucial part of Kuala Lumpur’s landscape, both in their cultural influence as part of the city’s fabric, as well as their commercial influence, then and now, in a more modern environment. Their continuous existence in this day and age is interesting, as there are concerted efforts by all the stakeholders involved to keep these buildings as they are, to preserve their value, both financially, and esoterically, to the city. I Love KL has always been focused on the intangible value of heritage buildings and their cultural significance and value to the city, so in this episode, we ask heritage conservation expert, Elizabeth Cardosa, whether they talk about the financial value of these pre-war shophouses, and how they balance it with what they do and their focus. This episode is inspired by this article from The Edge Malaysia. Photo credit: Unsplash

While there are other ways to write these days, the pen remains one of the most unique and powerful writing instruments. And the admiration for the instrument, specifically fountain pens, have led Lai Kim Hoong to set up PenGallery, a retail store that’s meant to supply these pens, and other materials, to enthusiasts. He joins us on the show to share the story of how he started PenGallery more than twenty years ago, how they pioneered e-commerce back when it was not as fashionable and mainstream, and how they reinvented themselves to remain relevant, despite challenges and threats to their existence. Photo Credit: PenGallery See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nattukoothu Festival is an event to showcase Indian folk dances to the masses, especially as they’re not commonly practiced and well-known compared to classical Indian dances. The event is organised by a group of final year students, together with ASWARA as a way to educate the public on the nuances and the differences of these dances. Joining us to walk us through the curation process of an event of this nature are Event Manager, Saraventhiran Neelamalai, and the students’ supervisor, Faizal Ashraf Azhar. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome, weary traveller, to the magical world of TTRPGs! Tabletop role-playing games have experienced a resurgence worldwide for their collaborative storytelling, creative exploration, and limitless possibilities that go beyond the boundaries of traditional gaming. Located in TTDI, board game store Here Be Dragons has made it their mission to create an inclusive environment where enthusiasts and newcomers alike can discover the wide and wonderful world of all things tabletop, with its neverending library of board, card, tabletop, and role-playing games. We speak to founder Sharifah Hanna to explore the intricacies and endless appeal of TTRPGs, how the hobby has exploded locally, drawing in a fast-growing community of all ages and backgrounds, and the store's role in making tabletop gaming accessible for everyone. Photo credit: dodotone / Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of I Love KL, we explore the heartwarming journey of Little Giraffe Story House, a community library in Cheras, founded and designed by Lee Soon Yong. Originally a small book club housed in a shipping container, the library has now transformed into a vibrant space that offers over 3,000 books along with a café and event space, all aimed at fostering a love for reading among children. Soon Yong joins us today as he shares insights on the renovation process that involves the community, and the library's role in preserving local culture while adapting to the challenges of the digital age. Tune in now as we discover how this initiative is inspiring future generations in the community, and serving as a model for community-driven projects throughout Malaysia! Photo Credit: Little Giraffe Story House 长颈鹿故事館 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prominent theatre producer and the Chairman of Persatuan Angkatan Seni Lakon Interaksi, Kuala Lumpur dan Selangor (ASLI) Goh You Ping joins us as we delve into the history of modern Chinese theatre in Kuala Lumpur, exploring its evolution from a nearly non-existent scene in the 1990s to the vibrant community it is today. Goh shares his personal journey as one of the few students who dared to pursue theatre during its formative years, recounting the challenges he faced such as juggling a day job in television to support his passion for theatre at night. We discuss the early struggles of the theatre community, from limited venues to the lack of stage equipment, to the current challenges they face in the scene. From passing the baton to the younger generation and the future of performing arts in KL, join us to listen more about Goh You Ping’s inspiring journey.Pameran Teater Cina will be running from October 10th to November 10th, 2024, at GMBB KL, an exhibition that showcases the history of modern Chinese theatre culture. Photo Credit: Pingstage on Flickr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For more than 20 years, local studio Canvas Art has been restoring old photographs through digital techniques - fixing discoloration, damage and even editing people in and out of photos, such as the inclusion of a deceased loved one. Managing Director Faye Lim joins us on I Love KL today, sharing her journey in the field of photo restoration. Focusing on the intersection of art, technology and nostalgia, today’s episode highlights the meticulous process behind restoring images and the impact of artificial intelligence on her craft, as we explore how it affects her practice and the importance of preserving human touch.Photo credit: Canvas Art Malaysia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Architects’ role in developing communities cannot be understated, and at Shift 2024, an international conference that gathers architects from around the world, this point will be reemphasised again. This two-day event will gather creative architects from different contexts and perspectives to unpack this year’s theme - Rebuilding Communities - a theme that’s more relevant than ever now, post-pandemic. Veronica Ng, Head of School of Architecture, Building & Design, Faculty of Innovation and Technology at Taylor’s University joins us to share more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The recent sinkhole incident at Jalan Masjid India has raised concerns about urban safety here in Kuala Lumpur - Dr. Lim Choun Sian, Chief Research officer at UKM joins us to share his insights on the situation, discussing our capital city’s topography along with its susceptibility to sinkholes. From the geological factors such as limestones potentially being the cause, to the complexity of our underground piping system and the preventive measures we can take as citizens to mitigate future risks, today’s episode not only addresses the concern regarding the Jalan Masjid India situation, but also the wider implications of KL’s urban planning and geological safety. Photo Credit: The Star See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Filled with loads of tradition, Petaling Street has been regarded as a heritage site with its historical buildings, traditional trades and rich history. Taking note of the clash of modernisation and inhibitors maintaining their traditional practices, arts-and-culture initiative Project Future Malaysia (PFM) introduced its latest project - “Traditions in Transition”, a book and video series featuring the stories of these traders. Joined by project manager Kevin Bathman, local author Francis Nantha and the producer of its video series Daniel Lim, we’ll be exploring all aspects regarding this project, as it gears up for its launch this weekend. Photo credit: Unsplash See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Human Edition is Shi Han’s attempt at deconstructing people and peeling away that veneer that we sometimes simplistically latch on to when it comes to perceiving others. Human Edition came to be amidst Shi Han’s struggles with her own career and life, and using her own experience as a reference point, she aims to tell the stories of others from a more empathetic point of view. She joins us on the show to share the behind-the-scenes challenges of running Human Edition, her thoughts on the technicalities of storytelling on social media, and her grand plan for Human Edition and her own life moving forward. Photo Credit: studio hu.ed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Documentary filmmakers UNI Gallery are committed to capturing the stories and people behind Malaysia's traditional trades. Also known as 有你, or "Together With You", the team have created a vast library of documentaries, shining a spotlight on over 150 businesses and traditional practitioners - many of whom are "uncles and aunties" keeping generations-long traditions alive. UNI Gallery producer Daniel Lim shares the editorial and production process behind documenting these untold stories and their quest to uncover the uniqueness of every individual. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We head to Putrajaya and Cyberjaya to reflect on the history, growth and future trajectory of these two places with our resident heritage conservation expert, Elizabeth Cardosa. We start the conversation by reflecting on what Kuala Lumpur was like in the early 90s and the catalyst to move our administrative capital over to Putrajaya, as well as unpack how these two places are designed to project Malaysia’s aspiration. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.