By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, March 5: There are many Sarawakians who are talented in the performing arts and opera.
Amanah Khairat Yayasan Budaya Melayu Sarawak (AKYBMS) general manager Datu Sanib Said observed that many Sarawakians have taken up performing arts as a hobby and even attended training after working hours to learn its finer details.
“Many Sarawakians are interested and have talent in performing arts.
“For the staging of the traditional Malay opera ‘Bangsawan Sultan Tengah’ in 2016, we had more than 150 artistes including singers, actors, dancers and musicians, who contributed to the play.
“Some of them even attended training after their working hours for six months in order to make the show a success,” he revealed during the launching of the ‘Bangsawan Sultan Tengah Sultan Sarawak Darul Hana’ book at a hotel here today.
He also noted that many Sarawakians have put in great effort and made sacrifices in their time in order to learn the performing arts and familiarise themselves with opera.
At the same time, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan noted that there were also Sarawakians artistes who became Malay opera performers in West Malaysia.
These include actors and film stars such as Mak Enon, Wanita Iban and Dollah Sarawak.
He observed that the Malay opera ‘Bangsawan Sultan Tengah’ has received overwhelming response including attracting visitors from neighbouring countries such as Brunei and Indonesia to watch it.
Thus, Awang Tengah said, the Malay opera has been transcribed into a book as staging the opera took much time and money.
On another note, Sanib expressed belief that many artistes will be able to showcase their talents on a better platform with the development of the creative industry and the digital economy.
He also thanked Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud for his support and ideas in making ‘Bangsawan Sultan Tengah’ a success.
He explained that the production of ‘Bangasawan Sultan Tengah’ was done after much research had been conducted on the history of the Malays in Sarawak.
Among those present at the launching of the book were Assistant Minister of International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Naroden Majais and invited guests. — DayakDaily
