Pearl Jubilee: ASWARA Committed To Elevating National Heritage

Marking its 30th anniversary, the National Academy of Arts, Culture, and Heritage (ASWARA) remains steadfast in its mission to uphold and promote Malaysia's arts, culture, and heritage.

Established in 1994 as the National Arts Academy (ASK) under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC), ASWARA has evolved into a premier institution producing talented artistes and   creatives while serving as a ‘guardian’ of the nation’s cultural legacy.

With programmes spanning from foundational studies to Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) levels, ASWARA continues to nurture emerging talents and foster collaborations on both national and international stages, ensuring the sustainability of Malaysia's rich artistic traditions.

Names like Namron, Sherry Alhadad, Nad Zainal, and Amyra Rosli are examples of the exceptionally talented actors and celebrities who have emerged from the academy.

ASWARA Rector Dr Tan Awang Besar said the academy’s 30-year journey has "matured" ASWARA, transforming it from a small institution into a renowned establishment that serves as a "guardian" of tradition and culture, while also innovating to meet contemporary demands.

He said the 30th-anniversary celebration, themed ‘Stepping Forward Together, Advancing with Tradition,’ symbolises ASWARA's journey since its founding.

 “The National Arts Academy was originally created to discover and nurture young talents in the arts, enabling them to enter the creative industry. ASWARA now continues ASK’s legacy with a broader mission to meet the nation’s cultural and artistic needs.

“We uphold this original motto ('Stepping Forward Together, Advancing with Tradition') as the ‘soul’ that breathes life into ASWARA.

“We at ASWARA consistently use the National Culture Policy (DAKEN) as a guide in shaping strategies and future action plans. This is the foundation we hold onto to propel ASWARA forward,” he told Bernama.

ASWARA’S UNIQUENESS

Tan, who assumed leadership of ASWARA on July 1, said that while 30 years may seem young to measure the maturity and accomplishments of an institution, ASWARA has certainly faced numerous challenges.

“ASWARA stands out as the sole arts and cultural education institution under MOTAC. This unique position allows us to focus comprehensively on preserving and advancing Malaysia’s arts, culture, and heritage.

“We take pride in our responsibility to safeguard the nation’s cultural legacy and strive to meet the evolving demands of the creative industry by nurturing more emerging talents.

“Over the years, ASWARA has grown significantly, especially through the diverse programmes it offers, ranging from foundational studies to PhD levels,” said Tan, adding that through its existing academic offerings, ASWARA also provides lifelong learning opportunities for those interested in arts, culture, and heritage.

  “We have seven faculties, including theatre, writing, animation, multimedia, fine arts, and filmmaking, providing students with a comprehensive learning experience. The three centres of study are dedicated to specific disciplines, enhancing students' expertise.

“Many of our graduates are now directors, singers, scriptwriters, and actors making significant contributions to the industry,” he said, noting that ASWARA has received praise for the quality of its students, further solidifying its role in shaping talented artistes.

ASWARA ON THE GLOBAL STAGE

Sharing initiatives to elevate ASWARA’s functions and role globally, Tan said ASWARA has formed collaborations with several arts institutions abroad, including those in Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

 “We have signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and Memoranda of Agreement (MoA) with cultural arts institutions across the ASEAN region, with the latest collaboration being with the Philippines. They bring experts to conduct MasterClass courses at ASWARA, which is one example of our ongoing collaborations,” he said.

The special musical theater 'Sakti Merong Mahawangsa' will be held at The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Center (KLPac) from 22 to 24 November.

He added that ASWARA students, particularly those excelling in fine arts, have been sent to create works in China and India. These works have not only been well-received but are also valued at tens of thousands of ringgit, marking a significant achievement for the academy as a whole.

“In addition, we are committed to enhancing teaching standards and the competency of our academic staff to ensure lecturers provide the highest quality education to students with profound mastery of knowledge. Lecturers will be encouraged to actively engage in writing and presenting papers at international conferences, gaining new experiences and insights.

 “ASWARA plans to open enrolment for international students from ASEAN regional bloc countries in its PhD programme starting next year.

 “In the future, all lecturers will be required to hold at least a Master’s degree, and we will also grant recognition to qualified individuals with titles such as Associate Professor or Professor,” Tan said, emphasising that these efforts aim to ensure ASWARA lecturers remain relevant to current developments and are equipped with valuable knowledge to benefit their students.

SAKTI MERONG MAHAWANGSA THEATRE

As part of its Pearl Jubilee celebration, ASWARA is set to revive a grand legendary epic through a special musical theatre production, ‘Sakti Merong Mahawangsa’. This work is expected to make history in the Malaysian theatre arts scene.

The musical highlights the tale of Merong Mahawangsa, a renowned figure celebrated for his bravery, resilience, and loyalty in establishing Kedah Zamin Turan (modern-day Kedah). The production brings together ASWARA alumni, lecturers, and students in a collaborative effort.

Musical theater director Mohd Sharul Mizad Asari (seated, center) together with the President of the Aswara Alumni Association Tengku Iefizulasyrifie Putra Tengku Alaudin (seated, third, left) pose with the cast of the 'Sakti Merong Mahawangsa' theatre.

Tan explained that this narrative was chosen for its epic value and powerful storytelling, as well as its potential to foster collaborative efforts with ASWARA’s alumni.

 “The alumni are like children of ASWARA, and this ongoing relationship is showcased through joint efforts in significant projects like this. They understand the needs of students and contribute to producing an exceptional performance.

“Merong Mahawangsa is a monumental tale that deserves to be highlighted. This performance is a way to breathe life into the nation’s heritage on a larger and more impactful scale.

 “This celebration isn’t just about the past but also about how we carry this art and culture forward into the future. We don’t want our arts and heritage to merely be remembered; we want them to continue to thrive, be valued, and celebrated,” he said.

The musical theatre will be staged at the KL Performing Arts Centre (klpac) from Nov 22 to 24 and is expected to draw tremendous interest from Malaysian theatre enthusiasts across all age groups.

Featuring over 100 talents from ASWARA’s alumni, the cast includes notable names such as Najua P. Ramlee, Hairi Safwan, Fadhli Masoot, Aris Kadir, Fiza Thomas, Ezdianie Hayatie, Saiful Wazien, Amirul Hakim, and Reza Mohamed.

Hoping that ASWARA continues to be a respected centre of arts and cultural excellence regionally and internationally, Tan credited the academy’s achievements to the efforts of all its members. However, he emphasised that the main challenge is ensuring the sustainability of Malaysia’s artistic and cultural heritage.

“Every member of ASWARA must have the awareness and determination to recognise that arts, culture, and heritage are treasures to be preserved together. Arts and culture belong to all of us and must be protected forever. This is the resolve that should be instilled in every member of ASWARA,” he said.

 NURTURING NEW TALENTS

Meanwhile, ASWARA alumna and actress Najua P. Ramlee, 37, shared the challenges she faced during rehearsals for the musical theatre production.

Playing the role of Mak Inang, this marks her second experience performing in an ASWARA theatre project, following her involvement in the academy’s 25th-anniversary production.

ASWARA also highlights young talent in the field of art, culture and heritage.

 “Although the character of Mak Inang may seem ordinary, I see it as an opportunity to create something extraordinary. My role isn’t that of a princess, but every character in a production plays a significant and equally important part. I took the time to study and embody the role to craft my version of Mak Inang,” said Najua, who is also the granddaughter of the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee, one of Malaysia’s greatest timeless icons.

Another alumnus and rising actor, Hairi Safwan, 36, expressed his pride in contributing his skills and talents alongside fellow alumni.

“I hope ASWARA continues to grow and bring forth even more high-quality and outstanding new talents,” said Hairi, who plays the antagonist Garuda in the musical and has been active in the arts for 15 years.

 Translated by Salbiah Said