The Chetti museum is modelled after a traditional Chetti house. |
IN the small traditional Chetti village in Gajah Berang, half the homes have access to the Internet.
| K. Arunasalam does not like his children listening to rock music. |
| G. Meenachi Govindasamy Naiker Rajah, who lives 3km from the village, hardly misses any Chetti functions. |
It was set up for younger people like Kavindran Pillay, 15, and his cousin Dinesh Pillay, 17.
Education is a big deal among Chetti families today.
In the past, the Chetti community was poor because there was a lack of educational opportunities, said Kavindran’s father K. Arunasalam, who is the village head.
It is a challenge for parents like Arunasalam and his wife K. Vimala Devi to ensure that their children are knowledgeable about their customs and are not influenced by negative modern culture.
"I don’t like to come home and find my children listening to rock music," he said. But it happens.
"As long as I am there, the children know they have to turn it off."
Kavindran likes listening to Tamil hip hop and rock music. He said he would rather listen to Indian music than Western music.
Dinesh feels the same way. Both have Astro at their homes and they watch music television videos of Beyonce, Shakira and Justin Timberlake.
"But I am not really keen on them," said Dinesh.
The teenagers also like traditional music, much to Arunasalam’s delight.
Vimala Devi said she did not mind if they listened to pop or traditional music as long as they finished their homework.
When it comes to football, sometimes Dinesh and Kavindran find that they are the only teenagers among a group of children on the field.
Dinesh has a deep interest in his roots and culture. He is learning more about Chetti traditions, which are not taught in school.
On romance, if a young Chetti couple wants to start dating, the girl will introduce the boy to the parents first. Some parents prefer the couple to be chaperoned during dates.
Many residents in Gajah Berang are concerned that the Chetti culture is not practised as much as before.
"If a Chetti lives in the village, he or she can practise the customs," said Arunasalam. "If not, it will be very hard as there is no community support."
The Chetti museum in the village is a good place to learn about the community.
Amuthavathi Pillay, 41, was at the Chetti museum when a group of tourists dropped by. They asked her to show them around.
"I found myself swelling with pride as I explained the history and Chetti way of life."