The Snake Charmer, Loktang, Pekji and Weil Weil

The Circus, Ice Skating Shows and Musicals

Were not within our family budget in the '60s

But there were many free entertainment options
Which Ma had lined up for us 

There was the Snake Charmer, and his Apprentice

Beckoning us to the roots of the Banyan Tree

On Beach Road’s grassy banks

With the sound of his wind instrument

And the contents of his wicker baskets

Under the cool shade

His assistant uncovered the lid

And a cobra uncoiled itself
And danced to the tune of the flute   

A couple more slithered on the turf

As people reached for their pockets
When the coins had piled up

The reptiles were kept

A new act unravelled

The magician transformed into an Oracle

And his aide was blindfolded

As he responded to questions

From the astounded audience

When the boy finally fainted

We knew it was time to be disbanded

Ma’s idea of punishment for misconduct
Was to send us to watch the Lok-tang

As she got into a trance

By the forked road next to our fence

Dressed in light blue tunic and pants

The medium was hired to chase demons

Lurking behind the willow strands

She summoned Guan Dong with a swish, swish of her Guan Blade

She dazzled the crowd with her Spiked Ball Mallet

And took our breaths away with a ‘Sealing of Mouth’ ritual

Where she used long, brass needles to poke a hole in her face

And sealed it by sliding hot, burning coal iron on her cheeks!

When the Wayang Pekji set up stage

On the vacant lot next to the Central cinema

We would be tossing and turning in our beds

Or searching for the rojak man in our pyjamas

Lured by the vigorous slicing of cucumber, pineapple and turnip

Tossed and drenched in shrimp paste and peanut bits

In a yellow glazed bowl

Each handful scooped into a banana leaf boat

With a toothpick anchored at its stern

We elbowed our way among the throng of sweaty spectators

And tuned out the opera actors’ piercing notes

Along with their sharp movements, costumes and make-up

If there was still money in our pockets

We would head for the ‘tikam tikam’ to try our luck

A peanut flake biscuit in a cellophane wrap

Which was ripped apart to reveal a card

Which said "Try again", so better to trudge back to bed!

If Ma saw no signs of repentance after the Lok-tang encounter
She would not hesitate to send us to watch the Kavadi carriers
With bow-shaped wooden contraptions on their shoulders
Hooks and spikes poked and pulled the skins on their bodies and faces
As they dedicated their vows to their god Murugan
The devotees meandered on the streets in a trance
They chanted 'Weil, weil' on this day of Thaipusam
With friends and family members who cheered and sang
To the fast beats of the loud music and drums 

* Rojak - Spicy fruit salad
** Tikam-tikam - A game of chance