BY SOON LI WEI
“When can all citizens enjoy rights; To the same justice, the same treatment; And be known as one race: Bangsa Malaysia?”
The poem titled ‘My Friend’, translated from the original version of ‘Sahabatku’, was recited by Joe Hasham OAM (Order of Australia) with a dance performance by Feyee Bethany, during the staging of ‘Remembering Usman Awang’ at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC), recently.
The late National Laureate Datuk Dr Usman Awang dedicated this poem to his close friend Dr MK Rajakumar, where he reflected on the inequalities among Malaysians. Rajakumar was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in the 1960s.
For the co-founders of the KLPAC and The Actors Studio Joe Hasham and Datuk Dr Faridah Merican, ‘Sahabatku’ also reflected Usman’s humanist personality; he was friendly to everyone regardless of background and race.
“I choose to present the poem ‘My Friend’ and his novel ‘Scattered Bones’ as a tribute to Usman as our good friend and my mentor in this casting.
“I knew Usman through my wife, (Datuk Dr) Faridah in the early 1980s. He became my mentor not only in the appreciation of performing arts and literature but also in life.
“We used to be good friends and always hang out for makan-makan. It was a challenge marrying a local woman but Usman, who was our ‘middle man’ eased my journey with Faridah,” Hasham recalled during a recent interview with Bernama.
He also read part of ‘Scattered Bones’ (Tulang-Tulang Berserakan), the only novel written by Usman that brings together action, tragedy and joy between The Colonial British Empire and Malayan Communists fighting for control over Malaya.
Faridah, who is known as the First Lady of Malaysian Theatre, described Usman as a ‘muhibbah and easy going’ man.
“He was so passionate about the muhibbah spirit and full of love for humanity. He also never showed hatred for anyone and was always smiling.
“I have always been a big fan of Usman. He drew many admirers of his works since I knew him in the 1960s.
“His writings often reflect and question the realities in culture, society and behaviour,” said Faridah, who is also the director of ‘Remembering Usman Awang’.
In memory of Usman Awang
Born as Wan Osman Wan Awang in 1929 in Kuala Sedili, Johor, Usman was known for his passion for the arts and used the pseudonym ‘Tongkat Warrant’ in his early years of writing at age 19.
Through his thoughtful and progressive works, which addressed the importance of racial harmony, he became a true advocate for multi-racialism, having travelled the world and observed various cultures and peoples.
He was known as the “People’s Poet” as his writing touched Malaysians’ hearts regardless of age, race or gender, and had won many literary awards, including the SEA Write Award (1982) and National Laureate (1983).
His talent and achievements were extraordinary, considering he stopped schooling at a very young age due to his family’s financial limitations.
He was a forced labourer during the Japanese invasion and worked as a policeman during the British colonisation in Malaya.
Usman died on Nov 29, 2001.
Presented in four languages
‘Experiencing Usman Awang’ theatre performance, which is the KLPAC’s second live show after four months, took off without a hitch from Oct 21 to 24 amid strict standard operating procedures (SOPs).
To celebrate what would be Usman’s 92nd birthday on July 12, KLPAC and The Actors Studio put a spin on his works through eight short plays.
The plays — Scattered Bones (Tulang-tulang Berserakan), Sahabatku, Beli Buatan Malaysia, Kekasih, Merpati Putih, Jelajahi Dunia Ini, Mata Ayah, Ke Makan Bonda and Salam Benua — were presented through the eyes of 16 creative talents.
Reimagined in ‘muhibbah’ languages – Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin and Hokkien, some were recited as poetry while some interpreted as a dance and yet others featured original music, with themes of love, compassion, unity and a spirit of togetherness.
Faridah said the casting team started ‘Zoom’ rehearsals for the theatre on June 14 with the hope of staging it for Usman’s birthday on July 12.
“Unfortunately, due to the movement control order (MCO), we had to call off and postpone it. But we did not give up and kept going by making preparations, hoping that we would be allowed to be back on stage.
“We really wanted to make it happen and finally we made it on the stage now,” said Faridah, who expressed excitement over the opening show on Oct 21.
Some 200 people attended the two-hour showcase. All night shows at the KLPAC started at 8 pm, except the final day, Oct 24, which began at 3pm.
She said it was refreshing to see Usman’s works reimagined in different languages and forms with the hope that the audience will see a side of Malaysia that is kind, accepting and diverse.
“I really enjoyed the two Mandarin pieces with original music based on ‘Merpati Putih’, ‘Jelajahilah Dunia Ini’ and ‘Mata Ayah’, performed by Tan Li Yang and Ian Chow.
“Zahir Muzani danced his way through ‘Ke Makam Bonda’ and Hokkien performance of ‘Salam Benua’ by Mark Beau de Silva and Amelia Tan was full of expression.
“We also collaborated with Tutas (Taylor’s University and The Actors Studio) students to be a part of this theatre; four of them gave a rendition of ‘Kekasih’, my favourite poem from Usman’s works, with dancer Feyee Bethany taking the stage with ‘Sahabatku’.
“In fact, we were glad to feature spoken word artist, Sheena Baharudin who brought to life ‘Merpati Putih’, ‘Jelajahi Dunia Ini’ and Omar Ali’s recital of ‘Beli Buatan Malaysia’,” she said.
Remembering the people’s poet
Faridah said the theatre is an effort to reminisce the memories of Usman and his masterpieces, as well as to keep his legacy alive.
The Adjunct Professors and Programme development director of Tutas also shared that Usman’s works are part of her “History Of Malaysian Theatre” class in their performing arts conservatory degree programme.
“We plan to do this annually as a lovely tribute to our past and future. We want them to be remembered and live in our memories.
“It has been 20 years since Usman passed away. But for me, Usman will be always in my heart,” she said, adding that as recently as 2019 the same concept was presented with the title ‘Don’t Let Usman Awang Know’.
Hasham said although the show is not a grand gala performance,”these are very small gestures that we are doing for such a great man.”
“This would be close to his heart if he is still alive,” he said. – Bernama
