PADAT Expands Telepuk Outreach To Preserve Heritage

SEKINCHAN, April 26 (Bernama) -- The Selangor Malay Customs and Heritage Corporation (PADAT) is actively expanding public exposure to the art of telepuk, particularly among the younger generation, through programmes such as exhibitions, demonstrations and training nationwide.

PADAT information officer Farhani Shamsudin said the initiative is important to ensure the traditional heritage art continues to be recognised and does not fade into obscurity, especially among the new generation.

She said telepuk is a traditional Malay textile decorative technique that has long existed and was once commonly used among royalty and the nobility.

“In Selangor, the use of telepuk fabric can be traced back to the era of Daeng Chelak, the father of Sultan Salehuddin Shah (Raja Lumu), which proves that this art holds significant historical value within the state’s royal institution,” she said when met at the PADAT exhibition booth in conjunction with the two-day Sekinchan Padi Field Festival 2026, which started yesterday.

She said the art continued to develop, including during the reign of Sultan Hisamuddin Alam Shah, through the role of Tengku Ampuan Jemaah, who introduced innovation to the telepuk tools, shifting from wood to metal engraving. 

According to her, telepuk is produced using a patterned block or stamp that is pressed onto a specially developed adhesive pad.

“The block is then applied to the surface of the fabric before gold leaf is affixed to the glued sections. The gold leaf is then brushed gently and carefully to produce a shimmering motif on the fabric. 

“This process requires a high level of precision and must be carried out in a controlled environment without wind interference to ensure a perfect result,” she said. 

She added that the finished telepuk fabric is used to make tanjak, samping, shawls, waist sashes and handkerchiefs, often worn for royal ceremonies and wedding attire.

In line with current developments, she said PADAT has also introduced innovation in producing telepuk stamps using computer numerical control (CNC) technology, eliminating the need for manual carving.  

Although the method is more modern, Farhani said the finesse of the carving art is preserved, allowing for the production of more stamps in a short time without compromising traditional aesthetic value.

To attract public interest, PADAT also offers visitors the opportunity to try the telepuk technique themselves, including through free programmes or paid workshops priced as low as RM5.

She said PADAT conducted more than 10 outreach programmes last year in several states including Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Pahang, and has also published reference books such as Kesenian Telepuk Warisan Melayu Selangor and Warisan Telepuk Alam Melayu based on internal research.

She added that PADAT has completed a Selangor Telepuk House near the Sultan Alam Shah Museum as an initial step towards establishing a centre for telepuk activities and development in the state.

The development of telepuk in Selangor is in line with the aspiration of the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, to revive Selangor telepuk and popularise the practice among the public.

She acknowledged that the main challenge is the lack of new practitioners among the younger generation, and PADAT is therefore actively training its own staff as an initial step to produce instructors before expanding training to the public.

A visitor, Nor Nazihah Mustaffa Kamal, 25, said she had previously heard of telepuk through a book launch but only gained a clearer understanding after witnessing a live demonstration.

The assistant librarian said the art is unique due to its association with the use of gold and differs from songket or other weaving techniques.

“To me, this is truly a national heritage that should be highlighted and made known to the public, especially the younger generation,” she said, adding that she also tried the telepuk demonstration at the exhibition.

Her sister, Nor Nasirafitri Mustaffa Kamal, 23, said she had never known about telepuk before but became interested after seeing its patterns and production techniques, and believes the art should be preserved and its exposure expanded among youths.

-- BERNAMA