Salim Khan Kabor, the proprietor of the Salim chain of restaurants has been inviting lion, unicorn and dragon dance troupes to perform at his premises during Chinese New Year for the past 10 years.

Is he the first, and only Indian Muslim restaurant owner in Malaysia to do this?

This year he did it on the 15th of February. It was supposed to start at 9.30pm, but I was informed that due to one troupe being held back and had to travel all the way from Telipok, the show only started around 10.45pm.

Some photos & videos I took when I was there.

The crowd started growing at 9 something, but it would be 1 more hour before the show actually starts. What it was like at 9.30pm:

View from another angle:

10.39pm: 6 unicorns waiting for the golden dragon to arrive:

10.43pm: people on the balcony above Salim Curry House.Balconies on both sides of the road were full of onlookers.

10.44pm: and the golden dragon arrives. There will be 2 other dragons – green and blue.

10.48pm: and the show starts with the 6 unicorns and the golden dragon doing a routine side by side.

A video:

10.50pm: the 6 unicorns dance near the “offertory” table which contains, amongst others, roti tisu, roti canai, fruits and flowers with angpau (red packet containing money) attached.

A video:

10.54pm: 8 lions doing their thing.

A video:

10.57pm: the proprietor feeds the lions roti canai – this is the most popular moment amongst the photographers. Endless camera clicks and flashes going on.

A closeup:

11.01pm: photo session.

11.14pm: 3 dragons show underway.

A video:

The finale was a lion-performing-on-stilts routine. Didn’t take any photos/videos of that, but it was really good. The head of the lion was operated by a boy which looked no older than 15, that skill would be a good addition to his resumes.

The show lasted about an hour, finishing around 11.45pm.

It was truly a spectacle, the wait was worth it!

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