Southern Tiger, Zapin Dance Incorporated In Mural For Madani Rakyat Programme In Johor

JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- Just like in the Northern Zone MADANI Rakyat (PMR) Programme in Penang where a mural with the theme of unity managed to attract the attention of the public, a mural themed Art and Culture was the highlight in the same programme held in the Southern Zone, here.

Featuring cultural symbols and icons of Johor's heritage such as the zapin dance, braided horses as well as the image of the Southern Tiger which is synonymous with the state, the 20 ft x 40 ft mural located near the main gate of the programme, attracted visitors right from early morning to take memorable photos.

Assistant Curator of the National Art Gallery Zulkarnain Zainol Abidin said the mural was a collaboration between mural painters Yaul Acap and Faez Rauzan from Kluang, Johor.

bootstrap slideshow

"They were assisted by several mural painters around the southern zone in the practice of 'Knowldege Transfer'. This mural is an initiative of the National Art Gallery and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to promote local painters,” he said.

The mural, he said, serves as a visual dialogue to display the meaning of unity in line with the intention of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as well as bringing the interpretation that art and culture can further fuel unity among the MADANI community.

Meanwhile, mural painter Faez Rauzan, whose real name is Nur Zulfaez Rauzan, 29, said it took him and his friend three days to complete the mural using acrylic paint and spray paint.

The Bachelor of Creative Multimedia graduate at the Islamic University of Selangor (UIS) said rain was one of their main challenges in painting murals that used blue, red and white paint as the main colors.

The Southern Zone MADANI Rakyat Programme is a platform for the government to inform and publicise the achievements and benefits of MADANI's Economy to the people through various initiatives and continuous commitments in empowering the people, entrepreneurs and the industry.

The Programme which started today at Dataran Universiti Teknologi Malaysia also features 170 direct services offered by 34 ministries and agencies in efforts to serve the people, like exchange of helmets, 50 percent discount for traffic summons and MADANI sale.

-- BERNAMA