[PHOTOS] Seremban Then VS Now: How Much The City Has Changed Over The Years
Photographer Kathiresh Balakrishnan retook many of the old photos of Seremban to compare the changes.
By Sukhbir Cheema — 26 Jun 2024, 06:50 PM
Since 2019, Kathiresh Balakrishnan has been diligently researching old photos of iconic locations of his hometown, Seremban, and retaking new ones to compare the changes that have taken place
The 33-year-old physiotherapist explores Negeri Sembilan's capital during the weekend, experimenting with his street photography and documenting the people residing in the city. Selected photos are then uploaded and shared to his Facebook page, Seremban.streetist.
"I searched for old photos of Seremban that can be found online. And did my research to find these locations now and tried standing at the POV of the previous photographers and retake the same shots in modern time," his post read.
He used a 35mm lens to match the original images. However, for some of the images, he had difficulty following the original images' exact alignment due to changes in the city.
Kathiresh revealed to SAYS that Seremban used to have a more diverse cultural identity back then before old iconic buildings were torn down to make way for modern ones
"Now, with the loss of some architecture, it has become more generic with boring modern buildings," he said.
However, Kathiresh noted that the changes had to happen as the newer buildings seem more economically functional to the city.
Still, when comparing the old photos with the recent ones he took, Seremban has lost a little bit of its charm as many historical buildings were demolished to make way for newer ones.
1. Jalan Tuanku Munawir
Jalan Tuanku Munawir was home to Rex Theatre (top) before it was repurposed into Public Bank (below).
Image via Seremban.streetist (Facebook)
2. Jalan Yam Tuan
(Top) St. Paul's Institution and the old Negeri Sembilan Clubhouse along then Paul Street. (Below) The current MPS field and Seremban Town Hall building at Jalan Yam Tuan.
Image via Seremban.streetist (Facebook)
Wisma Punca Emas currently sits at the original location of St. Paul's Institution at Jalan Yam Tuan (then Paul Street).
Image via Seremban.streetist (Facebook)
5. Jalan Dato Sheikh Ahmad
The location of Ruby Theatre has been converted to shop lots.
Image via Seremban.streetist (Facebook)
