Folk Songs - Man Kayan's Way Of Promoting Pahang

By Sakini Mohd Said

KUANTAN, March 21 (Bernama) -- What else is there in Pahang?

Some may think the uniqueness of this Tok Gajah state is nothing more than just enjoying the food, especially the Ikan Patin Masak Tempoyak, Sambal Hitam Pahang, Puding Raja and the seafood.

Pahang, which is also famous for the beauty of its beaches, making them popular holiday locations for domestic and foreign tourists, as well as its weaving industry, has 'many more secrets' and mysteries that have not yet been explored or known to many, especially outsiders.

Not wanting the history and 'secret' of the largest state in the Peninsula, which consists of 11 districts spanning across ​​35,965 square kilometres, to remain hidden, Noor Azman Norawi, better known as Man Kayan, 57, uses folk music and songs to manifest that uniqueness to the people of Pahang and beyond.

Moving under a group called “Anak Kayan”, Noor Azman, who once won second place for composing songs on Pahang and is also a recipient of the national-level “ Penggiat Seni Berbahasa” award, said he has composed more than 30 songs about the state.

"We have been active in composing folk songs, poetry for a long time, and are known for such a genre. However, after more than 10 years in the industry and making various achievements, including performing overseas, it feels like something is missing.

" Having performed in all corners of Pahang, I found the state has various attractions for tourists. As a native of Kampung Paya Luas, in Temerloh, I feel the need to do something for my birth state," he told Bernama.

He said composing a folk song is not an easy task, especially one with a new breath that all ages can accept.

“It requires a lot of research for a song and not just interviewing the elders,” he said, adding that he also referred to cultural experts, such as Datuk Aripin Said, who has been bestowed the “ Tokoh Warisan Kebangsaan Orang Hidup” ( National Heritage of Living Person)  to ensure that the lyrics of the song are not fiction.

"Sometimes, it takes more than three months to compose a song, but we never give up because it is a step to uphold our culture and promote other attractions in the state for future generations.

"For example, the song about Chenor town, which is in Maran district. Many people don't know, including the Pahang people, that it used to be the place where the state warriors, as well as religious figures and state dignitaries, gathered, " he said.

Other songs about Pahang produced by Noor Azman include Sungai Lembing: Sahmad Malaya  10 August 1987, Semalam Di Kuala Pahang and Mudik Ke Hulu.

The commitment by “Anak Kayan” to dignify the state's art and culture is reflected in the group not only waiting for offers to perform, but also using Noor Azman’s house in Kampung Permatang Badak, a platform to boost the effort.

The performance in the compound of Noor Azman’s house, which is decorated with a unique combination of antiques and movie scripts of Malaysia’s legendary entertainer the late Tan Sri P Ramlee, is held almost every week.

Noor Azman said the audience comprised various age groups, with the majority comprising young people, including those from outside Pahang.

Noor Azman is not only capable of composing songs, but he is also a tailor and able to make the “tanjak” (male headgear). 

His demeanour makes him approachable and has no problem attracting the young generation because the “Anak Kayan” group comprises adults, teenagers and children, and they perform using a combination of traditional and modern musical instruments.

"We also present a different style of Pahang Malay fashion as well as of other states in every performance and that approach seems to be successful,” he said, adding that her set up the Serindit Mati Tersepit Club in 2018 for the young people.

He said his grandchildren, with the youngest aged five years, are now members of the Anak Kayan group.

"I also teach the art of beating the gendang Pahang,” said Noor Azman who was also awarded the title “Adiguru Cendana Gendang Pahang” in 2022.

-- BERNAMA