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1ST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH LECTURE SERIES:
In Defence of Indomitable Directors
- Wednesday, 01 October
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"…Malaysia is a derivative country. Almost every facet of our culture is imported. Chinese come from China, Indians come from India, Malays come from wherever they come from. What comes from Malaysia? What have we invented?
The Malay language is stuffed full of Sanskrit and Arabic and now English. The alphabet is either Jawi, which is Arabic, or Rumi, which is the Roman alphabet courtesy of the Portuguese.
Our system of government, our legal system: from the British. We sembah our sultans because it's a holdover from the old Hindu empires of Majapahit and Srivijaya.
I'm speaking English because of the British. I'm a Muslim because Islam came from the Arabs and was brought here either by the Indians or the Chinese or the Arabs, depending on whose theory you believe.
It angers me when after hundreds of years of importing aspects of other people's culture some politician in a 4,000-ringgit Italian suit complains about Western values and such-and-such a thing is not from our culture.
Our culture is everybody else's culture. We've never had our own…Deal with it and grow up. Would you like some coffee? No? It's Colombian."
- Excerpt from Notes on Life & Love & Painting ©1999, Eight Plays: Huzir Sulaiman (pg 135) |
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Still in its infancy, English theatre in Malaysia is said to have begun with the establishment of the Literary and Dramatic Society at the Universiti Malaya in the 1960's. Our October lecture turned into a lively forum with Selangor-born, Singapore-based, Huzir Sulaiman-accomplished actor, producer, director and master playwright.
Barely 30, Huzir is a formidable talent in the English-speaking theatre scene in both Malaysia (where he co-founded the Straits Theatre Company in 1996) and Singapore (where he is joint artistic director at Checkpoint Theatre). Huzir himself was introduced to the local stage in 1980 at the age of seven in a play called The Little Clay Cart, a Sanskrit play performed in English, and a year later in Struggle of the Naga Tribe, both Universiti Malaya graduate productions directed by Karen Kraal.
Hot on the heels of the recent successful re-interpretation of his inspired Malaysian social and political satire Atomic Jaya at The Actor's Studio, Bangsar, Huzir shared with us his insights into his various productions, the process and challenges of writing and producing, obstacles faced-censorship, lack of funding-and his vision for Southeast Asian theatre.
Creative Process
When asked where he gets his ideas, Huzir likened the process to wine-making, "laying it down until fit to drink" - anywhere from two months to ten years!
Written in 1998, Atomic Jaya's preoccupation with weapons of mass destruction, proved to be a script ahead of its time. The audience was kept in stitches with a script that seemed to defy the censors.
A memorable exchange is the one between Dr Mary Yuen (nuclear physicist) and General Zulkifli (who commissions her to build the first Malaysian atom bomb) as the general welcomes Dr Yuen to the research laboratory of Syarikat Perniagaan Atomic Jaya Sdn. Bhd:
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YUEN: Yes, I was confused about the sign. You mean this is a private company?
GENERAL: It's not my decision. Everything they must privatise now. But it's okay. The directors of the company include seven generals and one Prime Minister's son. You must have Prime Minister's son. Keep them busy. Otherwise if unemployed they will start the NGO. |
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Long-time MCG member, Joanne Mahendran, a retired International School of KL teacher, remembers Huzir as an excellent student in every subject, with forensics and drama his favourite after-school activities. He was to go on to Princeton majoring in English Literature. So it was no surprise when Huzir told us that when writing, he does lots of research and likes to be well-informed on a subject so that he knows what to leave out!
But mostly he writes from personal experience. Time spent in clubs and bars, conversations at dinner, always observing, he keeps his finger on the pulse of the Malaysian psyche.
As for the writing process, a play is usually 85% done and gets fleshed out once rehearsals start. Or it can be like Occupation, (commissioned by the Singapore National Arts Council for the 2002 Singapore Arts Festival to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the fall of Singapore). Twenty drafts were written as the play evolved after exhaustive research, several interviews with Mrs Selvaraj (Huzir's grandmother), walking around the places mentioned and a workshop in Singapore with all the collaborators on the play. Huzir prefers to call Occupation a "collaboration".
Funding
Huzir explained that Singapore is undergoing a sort of renaissance with a government mandate to nurture and fund the arts and turn Singapore into an international cultural hub. There are lots of funding bodies, the largest being the National Arts Council. Banks and insurance companies consider corporate sponsorship prestigious. The process is also transparent.
The risk is that it can result in politically and socially self-censored productions, slick and worryingly soulless. In Malaysia on the other hand, whereas there are generous budgets and government funding available for Malay language productions, English language theatre receives no such funding. There is also no corporate culture sponsoring the performing arts. On the positive side, it also means there is no interference. Another advantage in KL is that it is cheaper to rent theatre space and theatre groups can afford to be more experimental.
But it still all comes down to funding. The theatre audience is limited and attendance is dwindling worldwide as it competes with other forms of entertainment. According to Huzir, local audiences are not mature enough to take pleasure in something that is not a comedy. Money can be made with comedy, which makes it difficult to write other plays.
Censorship
Despite the Dewan Bandaraya KL's (KL City Hall) most recent draconian criteria for the approval of scripts for theatre performances, Huzir still feels the onus is on theatre practitioners to improve the quality of their work-better acting and especially better writing.
He agreed with Amir Muhammad's hard-hitting observation in Options from The Edge newspaper that censorship is often used as an excuse by Malaysian writers for either not paying enough attention to their writing or even worse, not writing at all. Amir also dared to venture that most writing doesn't contain anything that is likely to be censored anyway, or that one can get away with a lot more than one thinks.
Huzir has certainly taken up the gauntlet of this challenge. He added that the lack of financial and moral government support for the arts in Malaysia could lead to the very real danger of "institutionalised amateurism". Practitioners are forced to work at other jobs and can only partially dedicate themselves to their passion and craft.
Huzir enviably sets an example of how it can be done. Hard work, discipline, and by now, a very well-honed ability to "play the game", whether it be with the Malaysian or Singaporean authorities, appeasing political and social sensibilities, and especially in Singapore's case, the time consuming task of writing and submitting planning proposals for funding which Huzir admits can take up 50% of one's time.
Silverfish Books recently published Eight Plays, a collection of Huzir's work from 1998-2002. Acclaimed for its vital, inventive language and darkly humorous insight, the collection includes Atomic Jaya; The Smell of Language; Hip-Hopera; Notes on Life & Love & Painting; Election Day; Those Four Sisters Fernandez; Occupation; and Whatever That Is.
His plays are now studied in three universities in Malaysia as well as at 'A' and 'O' levels in some schools. He said it was gratifying, and scary, to see his plays take on a life of their own.
Occupation and Whatever That Is were featured at an Asian play reading in the UK, followed by an interview with the BBC. Huzir said it was the first time that someone outside the Malaysian / Singaporean milieu had interpreted his work objectively, as words on paper, and he found the experience "magical".
On the eve of a well-earned break and a new decade for Huzir, I dare say the best in his creative output is yet to come.
- Iolanda Capodanno
P/S. In the meantime, there is talk of a re-staging in KL of the acclaimed Those Four Sisters Fernandez©2000-a psychological portrait of family relations-to be directed by Zahim Albakri (subject to funding being made available!). Watch out for it!
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THE REALM OF PURE WISDOM: The Art of Tibet
- Friday, 03 October
Venue Details: |
Tomlinson, Ampang Gallery.
One Business Avenue, Jalan Ampang Utama ½, Ampang Jaya. Tel: (603) 4257-7228
www.tomlinson-collection.com
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Following Roland Takeshi's talk last month, we continued the Tibetan experience with a guided tour and talk by Dannis Tan on the history of Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism, and how this history is reflected in their artwork, at the beautiful showroom of Tomlinson's in Ampang.
On the second floor we were surrounded by pieces of Tibetan furniture (there are three different types of containers, trunks, cabinets and folding tables) all depicting different styles and religious influences.
Dannis explained that the first western eyes to see Tibetan artwork were mountain climbers at the beginning of the 1900's. The furniture, however, was not brought out until around 1990.
The first king to unite the various tribes and clans that made up Tibet was Songtsen-gampo in the 7th century. At the time they followed a religion called Bon, based on the worship of the spirits and demons that lived in the rivers and mountains. Bon priests would be called to perform rituals to stop the demons that caused any illness.
A united Tibet threatened both the Tang Dynasty in China and the kingdom of Nepal. A marriage was thus arranged between Princess Wen Chen of China and King Songtsen-gampo. Legend has it that the Princess brought with her a huge Buddha sculpture known as the Jowo Rimpoche, which can be seen today in the Jokhang monastery in Lhasa. It is believed that she was one of the influences who converted the king to Buddhism, which soon spread to the rest of Tibet. The Bon priests now felt even more threatened and began to burn down Buddhist temples.
In the 8th century this became so bad that the king, Tisong-detsen, called a powerful master from India-Padma Sambhava, who was supposed to have flown into Tibet on the back of a tiger, killing all the demons and converting them to become Dharmapalas, the protectors of Buddhism. This type of tantrism comes from India and which is why we see such fierce deities in the art of the Tibetans.
During the 13th-14th centuries Tibet fell under the influence of the Mongolians. The term Dalai Lama is actually a Mongolian term.
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The 5th Dalai Lama proclaimed himself the reincarnation of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who delay their entry into nirvana despite gaining full enlightenment.
The story goes that Avalokiteshvara was attacked by demons and torn to pieces. Instantly, all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas rushed to put him back together again. (Could this be the origin of a western nursery rhyme?). In their haste, Avalokiteshvara ended up with many arms, legs and heads. There is even an eye in one of the hands. This deity can be seen in many Tibetan works of art.
It is believed that one-fifth of the Tibetan male population study and live in monasteries throughout Tibet. Some Tibetan monasteries are very rich. They own lots of land, are given tributes by the people and enjoy the patronage of the wealthy and powerful. One of the monasteries' functions is education. Monasteries with important or famous teachers would therefore enjoy more patrons and become wealthier.
One Tibetan custom is to commission pieces of art as ceremonial gifts to Lamas. The gift would be considered sacred and benefit all involved by bringing merit to the artisan, the giver and the receiver. Other than Buddha
sculptures, thangkas (paintings) are popular among the people as commissioned ceremonial gifts. Most of these paintings depict deities or lamas.
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A statue of a many-limbed Avalokiteshvara
Photo: Joanne Mahendran
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There are many furniture pieces in monasteries that are used to store ceremonial masks, robes, ritual implements, thangkas, sculptures and other goods given by patrons. As most of the furniture holding these precious objects are locked away and only used occasionally, Tibetan furniture is generally very well preserved, as well as their contents.
One particular difference that distinguishes Tibetan furniture from others is the painting on the façades. Tibetans like to add bright colours to their furniture, the same as for their clothing and rugs-they are a very colourful people.
If flowers and strange looking animals are depicted, then the work is Tibetan, but if only flowers then the work is by Chinese Muslims as Muslims are not allowed to paint people or animals. Lions or dragons may be included due to Chinese Buddhist influence. If large animals and fierce figures are depicted then we know these have an Indian influence. As Tibetan rooms are very seldom exposed to sunlight, the furniture's colours remain vibrant and the whole piece in good condition.
Dannis gave a most interesting and informative talk on the beliefs and legends that come together into the art of Tibet. Those of you who missed the talk should really go see the collection.
- Joan Hotchkiss
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BUKIT GITA BAYU VISIT: Residences in a Rubber Estate
- Tuesday, 07 October
Venue Details: |
Kebun Mimpi Club House (click for map details)
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A group of MCG members consisting of mostly Malaysian and long-term residents, met at Bukit Gita Bayu (Wind Song Heights), the exclusive 120-acre residential enclave in Sri Kembangan, 15 kilometres from KL, just past the Mines resort.
We were warmly welcomed at the Kebun Mimpi clubhouse by Hazel Chin, one of the in-house architects, who briefed us on the interesting history and architectural concept behind the development. Karen Tan, the Events Manager and her team treated us to drinks, Malay delicacies and a beautifully decorated cake especially for the MCG.
Bukit Gita Bayu’s ‘environmental’ concept was launched in 1997 as the former site of Kelton Estate, the second oldest rubber plantation in the country, was sold when commercial rubber tapping ceased.
It was designed to maximise the retention of the existing trees 3,000 of them and minimise any change in the existing terrain. Built overlooking a lakeside park and set within the heart of the development is Kebun Mimpi (Enchanted Garden)the pavilion-style clubhouse designed by the renowned Thai architect Lek Bunnag (of both Pangkor Laut and The Regent, Chiangmai resort fame). Linked by jogging tracks, there are actually two lakes in Gita Bayu.
Hazel and Karen took us on a guided tour starting at the clubhouse with its swimming pool. Then we were taken to the adjoining multi-purpose pavilion with seminar room, gym and upstairs reading room. The local cengal wood décor made it look very warm and homely. We continued to yet another pavilion, which seemed to float on the water’s edge, and then on to the BBQ area nestled in the trees. Finally, we drove around the development in a convoy and were even shown the inside of a display home so that we could see the high quality concept firsthand.
We so appreciated the natural environment and the idea of relaxing, healthy living away from the hustle and bustle of the city that many of us stayed on for lunch after the final video presentation. We were pleased to hear that the clubhouse is open for lunch to non-residents from Tuesday to Friday and felt it is a good place to relax and well worth an outing.
It is not surprising that this unique back-to-nature residential development won the prestigious FIABCI Property Award in October this year and many of our members had wishful fantasies of buying, or even renting a home here with such an exotic, tropical resort ambience.
- Susanne Lenz
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ARABIC CUISINE & RAMADAN TALK
- Thursday, 09 October
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This event takes place at a private residence, therefore location is not posted on the website. Please consult your monthly newlsetter for details.
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We are very fortunate to have an opportunity to meet Dr Fatma Elzahraa Mohd Ramadan, an Islamic scholar of great reknown around the world. Egyptian by birth, Dr Fatma is married to a Kelantanese and has made Malaysia her home for many years. She earned her degree in Higher Studies in Islam from the University Al Azhar in Cairo. She also obtained a degree in Dentistry and Oral Surgery from London. For the past 17 years, she has broadened her activites to include teaching at various women's organisations, corporate bodies and government offices. Dr Fatma is often seen on television and heard on radio where she has her own programme. She will speak to us about the significance of Ramadan-this most important period for Muslims throughout the world.
After we feed our minds, we will feed our bodies and enjoy a delicious Arabic lunch, prepared by our hostess, Awatif, and the other members of the Arab Women's Association. Awatif, a MCG member, is the President of the AWA and along with Randa Halabi, another MCG member and AWA Vice President, they are two of the hardest working volunteers I know. I have been very fortunate to have worked with them on several projects and know of all the good works they perform. Therefore, we will be donating the monies from this event to the AWA charities.
This will be a very special morning, so if you are interested in attending, I encourage you to book asap. This is also a perfect opportunity for you dress to up in your baju kebaya or caftan!
- Cindy
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EXPLORERS FIND NIRVANA!
- Monday, 13 October
Venue Details: |
Detailed Directions to The Park:
(Starting from Hampshire Park, off Jalan Ampang)
- Turn left onto Jalan Ampang towards Ampang Point. When close to Ampang Point stay in middle lane and go over the flyover (Ampang Point is on Left). Continue straight ahead. Shell petrol station on Right, Petronas station on Left. Continue on.
- At sign to Sek Men Keb/Taman Kosas stay in Left lane and drive straight ahead. Do not turn off main road.
Next 2 sets of traffic lights continue straight ahead.
- At next lights turn Right into Jalan Tasek. There is a big signboard advertising a car at this intersection.You should be about 7 km from Jalan Tun Razak/Jalan Ampang intersection.
Jalan Tasek is wide and not very busy. Go along this road past Lot 619 on the Left (hardware, car yard, earth movers).
- At about 3 km at Left there is a sign to Nirvana and Kajang. Turn Left at sign.
- Go up the hill, there will be a sign to the lookout. At Left are great views of KL. Continue on this road and go down the hill. You will pass white buildings on the Right and a small Chinese cemetery.
- Continue on this road. As you approach the small town, stay in the Right lane. Take the Right turn at the traffic lights. There is a sign to Nirvana. There is a mosque on the Right.
- After the traffic lights, you make a quick Left turn at the next lights. On this road, the police station will be on the Left. Go over the bridge and continue on this road.
- You will pass deserted white houses, Taman Titiwangsa on Left, Langat Fish Farm (Left), a quarry (Left), fresh water spring on Right, mosque (Left). After about 13 min the road goes down hill.
- At T-intersection (approx 29 km from Tun Razak) turn Right. There is a sign to the ostrich farm and Kajang. On your Right there will be a big lake. Continue on this road. You will see a waterfall at Right, reservoir buildings (Left), a palm nursery (Left), food stalls (Left) and forest park (Right). You will also see fishing ponds, palm oil trees, rubber trees, a turf farm, Chinese cemetery and an Orang Asli school at Right.
- You should now be approx 38 km (55 min) from Tun Rak and at the entrance to Nirvana Memorial Park, turn Right and park in the first car park.
Return Directions:
- Turn left at exit. At the T-intersection, to go back to Jalan Ampang take Right turn. Follow road to small town.
At traffic lights, turn Right then a quick Left. You will be on the B63 to Ampang. There will be a Chinese cemetery on Left.
- At T-junction turn Right at lights. As you sit at the intersection there will be a yellow Dunlop tyre bulding in front.
- At Taman Dagang take the E12 exit on Left and this will take you on the toll road to Jalan Yap Kwan Seng (RM1.50).
- To get back to Hampshire Park exit at Yap Kwan Seng, drive towards Crown Princess Hotel, take U-turn and turn left past the Megan Phileo Buildings, turn Right into Persiaran Hampshire, Right into Hampshire Park. You are now back where you started!
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On the highway from KLIA to KL, have you ever noticed a billboard with a dragon and the words Feng Shui on it? Please read on to find out more.
One Monday, the Explorers Group visited the Nirvana Memorial Park at Semenyih. To get there drive along Jalan Ampang out of KL, turn right into Jalan Kosas and follow the signs. (Detailed directions next page) The route takes you into the hills past a huge lake, rubber and oil palm trees, and rural houses. At the look-out there is a fantastic view back to KL and the Twin Towers.
The Memorial Park occupies 600 acres of land with another 200 acres earmarked for future development. It is the world’s second largest memorial park. The park has areas dedicated to traditional burial plots, several styles of columbaria, places for Ancestral Tablets, a temple and several waterfalls. The layout for the park is based on feng shui principles, with the best locations demanding the highest prices.
The most outstanding feature of the meticulously maintained park is the fabulous Nirvana Golden Dragon. The dragon is 1,000 feet long. Inside it is fully air-conditioned, and has over 6,000 urn compartments. In the Golden Dragon, we experienced a ten-minute light, music and smoke show. The time allows for reflection and meditation.
Our guide Judy took us to several locations in the park in the courtesy bus. After visiting the Golden Dragon, we saw the Musical Tomb which is in the shape of a piano. This is the memorial for the late legendary Bai Guang, a Chinese singer. When the piano keys are stepped on the Musical Tomb plays one of her famous songs.
On the headstones, we noticed that some of the writing was in red and some in gold. Judy explained that the deceased’s name and details are in gold and the surviving person’s details are in red. When the person is deceased, the red paint is covered with gold paint.
On the tour, we visited rooms with excellent air conditioning and magnificent views over the distant hills. These rooms house either Ancestral tablets or urns. For the outdoors type, urns can be placed in the pavilion-type urn columbaria. For those who would prefer to be buried there is a variety of locations, including the Royal Zone. The Royal Zone is considered as the ultimate ‘Land of Eternal Bliss’fit for noble, rich and famous.
After an hour and three-quarters, the heat began to take its toll and it was time to head back home. Some explorers stayed to eat their packed lunches in the open area canteen. Complimentary hot Chinese tea was available from a huge urn.
On each visit to the park, I have been impressed by the hospitality shown by the Nirvana staff. They enthusiastically show visitors around and willingly answer questions. As a result of our recent visit, the Explorers know of another good place to take their visitors and their knowledge of burial and cremation rites of the region have been enhanced.
Thank you to all the staff at Nirvana Memorial Park and to the ladies who took time out to explore.
- Bridget Tesch
If you are interested in joining the MCG Explorers Group, please proceed to the Explorers page.
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A FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS: Deepavali Celebratory Luncheon
- Tuesday, 14 October
Location: |
Annalakshmi Restaurant (vegetarian), Ground Floor, North Court, MidValley Megamall
('Outside’ the shopping mall facing the office blocks, same side as Chili's Bar & Grill)
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Come celebrate Deepavali (Diwali) with us and learn more about this beautiful festival. This Festival of Lights marks the victory of good over evil and signifies the advent of joy and happiness throughout the Hindu world. Children eagerly await this festival so they can don new clothes, eat special foods, especially sweets, and set off firecrackers.
Actually adults enjoy it for the very same reasons! It is also a time for families and close friends to gather together and exchange gifts.
Investing in gold, silver, and new acquisitions for the home is a common practice. Houses are cleaned from top to bottom, sweeping out the old bad luck and inviting good fortune inside. It is believed that the goddess Lakshmi graces shops and homes during this period and showers blessings and good fortune on her worshipers.
If you want to hear more about Deepavali while enjoying a delicious lunch, join us for this celebration. Don't forget, it is a perfect occasion for you to get out your sari or salwar kameez.
As we are in holiday mood, please invite your guests to join us.
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PLANTATION LIFE: A Talk
- Wednesday, 22 October
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After reading Mr Mahbob Abdullah’s book, Planter’s Tales, I was looking forward to his presentation on plantation life. Also it was a nice morning to see old acquaintances and friends again.
Mr Mahbob made the talk easy to follow for all of us, even if you not have read his book. During the talk, he elaborated on his life in the plantations.
In the first part of the talk Mr Mahbob mainly explained the oil palm growing process from start of growth to fruit collection and up to oil production.
One tree gives about 25 years of profit, but it takes about 3 to 5 years before they are mature enough to produce a lot of fruit. The collection of the fruit takes place immediately when they are ready and one bundle of palm oil fruit can weigh up to 20 kg.
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Photo: Olivia Tay
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He also told us about rubber plantations and that the profits of palm oil are much higher than rubber. This is the main reason why there are so much palm oil instead of rubber plantations these days. During the slide show about the production process he showed us the products made from oil, such as soap and cooking oil. Fertilizers, animal food, noodles and margarine are made as side products.
The second part of the lecture took us through his life on many plantations all over the world. Since his delivery was anything but boring, he made it a very entertaining morning. One of the things he showed us was the distillation of the oil straight from the fruits into a dangerous kind of alcohol in Ghana. Amazing what people do to get a good feeling even if it could cost them their lives!
For the estate owners palm oil is a good investment. There is a 140% profit, which is about RM1,000 per ton on average. This is also the reason why rubber was replaced by oil palm, which I have already mentioned.
With some light refreshments and the possibility of speaking to Mr Mahbob Abdullah and his wife, a delightful morning came to its end.
- Alice Scholtmeijer
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