Today, after four decades in the trade, the master craftsman from Gopeng remains dedicated to house construction, although he has since shifted to crafting miniature house replicas.

With the expertise and experience passed down from his father, Saari is able to recreate replicas of traditional homes with remarkable accuracy. More astonishingly, he does this entirely from memory, without the need for sketches or blueprints!

“I never thought my ability to create miniatures would end up being my source of income,” he told Bernama recently, adding that he relies on photographs taken during village visits, as well as images provided by customers, as references.

Saari shared that many of his replicas were inspired by cherished memories of working alongside his father, as well as his deep appreciation for traditional architecture.

“Typically, if someone works as a carpenter, it’s easier for them to transition into making replicas since they already have the basic skills. I never had formal training and mostly relied on my experience working with my father,” said Saari, who also has a talent for oil painting on canvas.

Saari pointed out that each miniature home he crafts carries its own distinct identity, reflecting the architectural styles of various villages he has visited, particularly in Perak.

“If you visit Kampung Gajah, Parit or Kuala Kangsar, you’ll notice each traditional house has its own unique design, with slight variations. My goal is to create replicas of every type of traditional house found in Perak.

“I often receive orders for models such as Melaka-, Johor- and even Negeri Sembilan Minangkabau-style houses, which are very popular,” he said, adding that it takes anywhere from three weeks to a month to complete one house, depending on the size and intricacy of the details.

Each replica, he stressed, must be carefully detailed with windows, pillars, staircases, complex carvings, and decorative motifs to ensure it closely resembles the original house.

Saari said his miniature houses typically measure 0.3m in height and 0.6m in length, with prices ranging from RM1,000 to RM5,000, depending on the size and architectural style.

“The smaller the replica, the more expensive it is, as the crafting is more intricate. Generally, only those with a deep appreciation for this art form are willing to invest in these pieces,” he noted.

Saari added that his goal is to produce as many traditional house replicas as possible for future generations to appreciate.

“Many youngsters today have never had the experience of living in a traditional house. If you visit villages now, you’ll see that many of these homes are no longer occupied.”

While the father of four hopes someone will continue his legacy, he has observed little interest among the younger generation.

“So far, no young people have come to my gallery at Pasar Besar Ipoh, which has been open since 1983, to learn this skill. If this continues, my craft may fade into history,” he lamented.

Named after his daughter Nur Fatisha, who shares his passion for art, Galeri Tisha serves not only as Saari’s workshop but also as a space where he paints alongside her.

Galeri Tisha @ Pasar Besar Ipoh
14B, Jalan Datuk Onn Jaafar,
Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak

Contact: 017-596 3668