The stall, a non-descript pushcart, sits not too far away from a bus stop opposite the Air Itam market with a sign that reads “fresh milk”.
Patrons sit on the five-foot way and at the council food court across the road, while those on motorcycles would stop near the stall to have a “quick charge”.
The stall is a favourite among many Penangites, with former chief minister Lim Guan Eng among those who patronise the stall.
The stall has now been immortalised on a mural, visible to all those driving towards the market, in recognition of the heritage of the people there.
The image of stall operator Kathirvelu Seenivasan, 53, in his signature “tarik” pose, occupies the wall of a back lane next to the stall, drawn by mural artist Bibichun.
Besides just fresh milk, the stall also sells other beverages mixed with hot frothy milk from a bronze pot on fire – Nestum, Nescafe, Milo and mocha, with the option of raw eggs which has been all the craze in town for the past 33 years and counting.
The best-sellers are the milk, raw egg and Nestum combo, touted by residents as the best solution for those with insomnia and those in search for a “soulful” drink.
“I never expected that a larger than life version of me would be on the wall, this is the greatest honour to me,” said Kathirvelu, better known as “Disco” by his regulars.
Kathirvelu said he first started off as a hairdresser after dropping out of school.
He said his uncle used to run a stall selling milk in the 1980s, but disappeared trying to flee moneylenders. Encouraged by his friends, he opened the stall in the evenings “for fun”.
Kathirvelu gave up his hairdressing gig and decided to go at this full time, but the father of two said he is laying back a little for the past few years by opening just 7pm to 11pm daily to enjoy his collection of antiques and his aquariums at home.
“When I first started, friends supported me and taught me to mix drinks. They said I can make a decent cup of coffee, why not sell milk,” he said.
His nickname “Disco” came about after he started playing dance music on a small speaker at his stall. Customers loved him as his banter in fluent Hokkien and Cantonese often left many with laughs with his jokes.
His rhythmic moves are also a hit, as people watched him rhythmically scooping ingredients into a cup and, later finishing it off with a “tarik”. The drinks are reasonably priced too, with most costing not more than RM5 and are generous in portions.
Bank officer Dylson Choong, 28, who came for a quick drink, said he has not come to the stall for a long time and said his milk, egg and Nestum combo was the “ultimate”.
Another regular, who only wanted to be known as Ah Heng, said his milk drink would definitely induce you to sleep. Kathirvelu said his drinks are low in sugar in standard servings and high in protein.
Others met swore by the Milo with cow’s milk with no added sugar, which they said tasted good.
‘In recognition of Air Itam’s finest’
Besides Kathirvelu’s mural, Penang’s famous Curry Mee “Ah Ma” sisters at Air Itam market – Lim Kooi Heang, 89, and Kooi Lye, 87 – have also been immortalised in recognition of their 70 years in service.
They have left the business to their granddaughter, but would still come to supervise from time-to-time.
In an official unveiling of the murals last week, Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng Soon Siang said he personally commissioned the artworks so that residents can be proud of the small town’s unique heritage.
“Air Itam has long been a short-stop destination, where people would come to savour good street food, check out the Kek Lok Si Temple, and Penang Hill and leave. These murals would encourage better interest about the history and heritage of the town and perhaps stay longer,” he said.
Ng said he commissioned the artwork using his constituency funds and the donations of well-wishers, and it was made possible by mural guru Tan Chor Whye, whose stable of artists completed six works, including a sculpture.
The other murals include “Generation to Generation”, “Kites Got Stuck”, “Laksa”, “Trendiness!” and “Smile before leaving” featuring a Sunda slow loris, a type of near-extinct primate found on the hills of Air Itam and Penang Hill.
All of the murals are within the vicinity of Air Itam market.