Liang Teh mural captures essence of herbal brew

KUCHING: A mural on a loved one who has passed on will, for most people, evoke a stirring sense of nostalgia and a warm feeling about the legacy he or she left behind,

It is no different for Nolan Chang and his family, when seeing the famous Liang Teh (herbal tea) mural in the Padungan area, which displays an image of his late grandfather Chang Eng Chuan.

It has become a tourist attraction but to him the mesmerising work of art means much more as it relives the memory of his grandfather, the former owner of the traditional herbal tea shophouse named Khee Hiang.

Nolan, 45, took time out recently to dwell on the story behind the mural, his family herbal tea business and what the mural means to him and his family going forward.

The mural painting, that was displayed Nolan’s late grandfather Chang Eng Chuan on Huan Loke Cafe in Padungan area. Photo by Neville Timothy Sanders.

Some of the product that are currently for sale in the shop. Photo by Neville Timothy Sanders.

He revealed the idea of having his late grandfather’s image displayed on a mural came when his family was approached by Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng.

“They told us that they are planning to produce at least eight murals with my late grandfather being earmarked as one of them.

“Then later, we were contacted by the self-taught mural artist Leonard Siaw for the inspiration of the painting.

“He approached us in April and it took him at least two months, up until the end of last month to finish the mural project,” he said.

Initially, Nolan added that he was impressed by how Siaw imagined the image of his grandfather, most specifically the part where he (Chang) poured the herbal tea.

“This is because we do not have a photo my late grandfather pouring the herbal tea.

“At first, he (Siaw) was very concerned of not getting the image of my grandfather in the best way possible.

“However, we told him not to worry about it. We just let him try, and I had to ask my father, Chang Chuan Heng, 72, to pose for the photo, with him pouring tea,” he added.

Nolan revealed he felt nostalgic the moment he and his family saw the complete image of the mural project.

“The project is one of the ways to remember my late grandfather, as well as for the younger generation to learn some of the untold history about the Padungan area,” he said.

The Khee Hiang herbal traditional tea was established in 1946 but the business began much earlier, way back in the 1930s, according to Nolan.

Some of the product that are currently for sale in the shop. Photo by Neville Timothy Sanders.

The front shop of Khee Hiang Herbal Tea. Photo by Neville Timothy Sanders.

“It was right after the Japanese occupation of Sarawak before the end of World War II when we managed to register the business.

“We first started selling the pepper spice, coffee powder and also cordial drink. The herbal tea was just a coincidence,” he said.

Nolan said what made them start selling the herbal tea was when his late grandfather’s relatives told of his specialisation in making the beverage.

“His relatives worked with him at the shop and when they felt unwell my late grandfather made this herbal tea for them to drink, to make them feel better.

“They then suggested that he sell the tea, so he did and people loves it to this day,” he said.

One of the moments that Nolan will always remember is about his grandfather waking up early just to make the herbal tea from scratch.

“When I was a youngster, I always saw him at the shop serving the customers, and at that time, we did have windows separating us from the customers.

“He was dedicated to his business and we are truly proud of continuing the legacy that he left behind,” he added.

Nolan hoped the business will be continued by his children and their future generations.

“I wish to see this business being inherited by my children, and their future children for as long as they can,” said Nolan.

The herbal is on sale at RM2 per plastic or per cup, and RM5 per bottle for takeaways.