Kelantan State Museum

Hey there, I will share about a place in Kelantan in this post. Kelantan, one of the east coast interesting states in Malaysia. The place that I choose to share for now is 

Kelantan State Museum.

Kelantan State Museum is located at the middle of town in Kota Bharu (capital of Kelantan), 

in front of the museum was a round-about with a newly built clock tower right in the middle. 

To enter Museum of Kelantan, you just need to pay RM2! 

I came here quite early in the morning so there are no any other visitor, only me and the rest of people that were joining this trip to Kelantan. This museum consist of two levels. Voice of a man reciting Quran welcoming us at the entrance. I can still remember how beautiful the recitation was. At the ground level of museum, there are lots of artifacts and mostly artifacts as evidence to the existence of trade relations between Kelantan and China. 

Then I went to the first level of the museum. 

This level I must say will help you to understand more about the culture and tradition of the country. Kelantan’s arts, crafts and musical traditions are displayed. Kelantan is also known for its Wau Bulan (Moon Kite) so I wasn't surprised there were lots of kites been displayed here. 

Something new that I learned from here; the history of Shadow Play (Wayang Kulit). Among the performing arts in Kelantan, the Shadow play is the most popular. It is performed in Kelantanese dialect. Kelantan Shadow Play influnced by Java and Thailand versions. The Kelantanese 'dalang' or the puppeteer is the main and only person who play all characters through out the show, accompanied by musicians. Until know, Shadow Play still been play at some places in Kelantan. 

A model of dalang (puppeteer) control a puppet in Shadow Play.

A model of SHadow Play's Panggung (the place where they perform in a raised hut)

with white screen (Kelir), stretched across the front. 

Audience can see the shadows cast on the screen.

The first level of museum also display the art gallery that features some of the finest works of art of the renowned painters and sculptors of Malaysia. I explored the indigenous customs and traditions of Malaysia too. 

So that's all now. I must say Kelantan State Museum is well worth stop when you visit to Kelantan, Land of Lightning. 

Written by; Asyikin Ikram :)