Tenggelamnya Kapal Van Der Wijk

We went to see the Tenggelamnya Kapal Van Der Wijk theatre at the Istana Budaya on the night of October 17th and liked it tremendously. The cast of popular actors of our Malaysian small screen was a good move of the producer/director to reinvigorate the theatre scene. We hear it was nearly full house most nights.

Amar Bahrin and Nabila Huda played the romantic tragic couple well enough to have some in the audience reach for their tissues. Was I affected in the same way? You bet!

4 Dec 2015

Teater Lorong Pemimpi

I am really at a loss for words, because Teater Lorong Pemimpi ("tinggal di neraka, bermimpikan syurga") made us cry buckets... It tells a story so heart rending, you cannot help the tears. Well done to all involved (Chow Kit Youth, et al.) because you have proved that its not about lavish backdrops and costumes, nor over the top special effects. Its about the story... well executed on stage.

                                                    Khairul (left) as Adi & Izzat as Wanie/Mummy/Wan/Daddy                               

                                          Shazrin Zainurin gets our vote for best actor

'Backstage'

                                  With Asrul/Mona                              A with Shazrin Zainurin

(In Progress) 
21 March 2015

Puteri Gunung Ledang in Concert

Puteri Gunung Ledang (PGL) in Concert was held recently at the Istana Budaya. B enabled us to attend this on opening night, thank you very much. But I must say that I was rather disappointed initially because I thought it would be a rerun of the original PGL theatre which I had missed. Ok, I did not read the 'In Concert' in smaller print, so my bad! Anyway the overwhelming sound and special effects (lasers and pyrotechnics?) ruled the day, I mean, night. No wonder some technical glitches had to happen. Still, we came away quite impressed with the very lavish production which must have cost quite a bomb!

20 March 2015

Ari Moyang of the Mah Meri, Kampung Sungai Bumbun

The Mah Meri of Kampung Sungai Bumbun in Pulau Carey celebrated their Ari Moyang/Hari Moyang (Spirits/Ancestors Day) on the 20th March this year. It was a day of thanksgiving to their guardian and ancestral spirits and they were most gracious to share the occasion with many visitors and tourists including a busload of local secondary school children and three busloads of (very fervent) Indians.

                                          Shamidah and Suhaila greeting visitors

                                          Decorated archway to the first Rumah Moyang

At the Rumah Moyang or Spirit House, the Mah Meri villagers were not the only ones who sought the blessings of the spirits through the Batin/poyang. The fervent Indians jumped the queue to do so, much to the chagrin of other visitors.

But true to their peaceful and non-confrontational nature, we noticed the local Mah Meri youths lining up to be blessed only after the bulldozing visitors have had their turn!

Food is potluck on Ari Moyang. All families in the village contribute to the buffet spread. Likewise, visitors are encouraged to 'bring a plate' so that there will be enough food to go around.

To celebrate with the spirits, the Mayin Jo-oh dancers and musicians provided the entertainment with seven song-and-dance displays. Suffice to say cameras were clicking and whirring incessantly throughout.

A and I took the opportunity to talk to the masked dancers during their break. The men behind the masks? Sazali Halim wears the Moyang Pongkol mask while Fizal 'Ijal' anak Layon wears the Puteri Gunung Ledang mask. Masks are passed down from fathers to sons.

The celebration of Ari Moyang in Kampung Sungai Bumbun is at three sites, where the Rumah Moyang are. (Historically, there existed three settlements, hence the three spirit houses).

The second site was quite a walking distance away. Here, as at the first Rumah Moyang, many sought the blessings of the spirits through the poyang/shamans. The celebration of Ari Moyang also entails that the Mah Meri do not do paid work for three days.

(In progress)

Muzium Layang-Layang at Pasir Gudang

Here are some pictures of the rather unique Muzium Layang-Layang (Kite Museum) and its exhibits at Pasir Gudang, Johor.

Our very own beautiful kites...

Posters of the annual international kite festivals since the very first 20 years ago...

Kites from around the world... Australia, Japan, China, etc., etc.

How to makes kites...

28 February 2015

International Kite Festival at Pasir Gudang, Johor

The International Kite Festival at Pasir Gudang, Johor is in its 20th year in 2015, held recently on the 25th February till 1st March. But for me, it is the first time ever that I was able to gaze in awe at all the flying 'objects' in the dusky evening of the 27th, and the next day in the blue skies, on the hilly fields of Bukit Layang-Layang, Pasir Gudang*. It may have been pretty hot in the day, but the cooling breezes make it bearable. Kites need winds to fly after all!

The formal opening ceremony of the Festival (graced by the Tunku Mahkota Johor) was held in the evening of 27th February. There were kites with led lights flying above and fireworks lit up the balmy Johor night sky for a good 8 minutes!

The international participants number around 180 from about 40 countries, among them Turkey, Bhutan, Slovenia, Japan, China, Thailand, Indonesia, etc., etc.

Being at this Festival has made me realise that kites come in so many shapes, forms and sizes. Of course, apart from the interesting and colourful kites in the air, there are the various goodies on the ground to shop for. There are kites galore, and food, food, food and even fruits on a tree! (No, the fruits on the tree below are for decor only to advertise the Orchard/Fruit Farm concerned). There are also cultural and artistic activities you can do, like making capal (leather slippers), batik painting (like we did), etc., etc.  You can also visit the Muzium Layang-Layang Pasir Gudang (Kite Museum), which is conveniently on site.

* Pasir Gudang is an industrial town located 35 km east of Johor Bahru, and at the eastern end of Johor Bahru metropolitan area. Population 100,000. (Wiki).

27 & 28 February 2015

Appeasing the Sea Spirits at Pulau Carey Part 2

The Puja Pantai ritual got underway when the tide ebbed and revealed part of the sea bed of the Straits of Malacca. Three 'shamans' led the way to the shrine there which moments ago was partly submerged in water.

Traversing the mudflats through the mangrove stumps was a pretty dicey affair but the sure-footed ones helped others along. For the masked dancer Diaman, it was easy-peasy so he was all smiles getting to the shrine while assisting others (including moi) along.

Three 'shamans' conducted the ritual, two (representing the Moyang Bate' and Moyang Gabus?) very obviously in a state of trance. Offerings of chamai (betel leaves), areca nuts and tobacco (among other things) were made to appease the spirits of the sea and pray for a bountiful year.

Then the celebratory dance of Mayin Jo-oh was performed by youthful dancers who were then joined by all the other children present. The chief 'shaman' kept a watchful eye on the children and the ceremony ended with him blessing them as they queued to clasp his hands.

He was joined by the other two 'shamans' and together they blessed all the Mah Meri villagers among the spectators who came up to them.

23 February 2015