KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 21 (Bernama) -- More than a decade after being recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage document with 32 known copies worldwide, the masterpiece Sulalatus Salatin, also known as the Malay Annals, remains largely unfamiliar to many, especially among Malaysia's younger generation.
To address this, the National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN), as the agency championing heritage and culture, has stepped forward to bring this historical gem to life through a musical drama, aiming to foster public understanding of the text.
The production, titled Sulalatus Salatin: Sebuah Kemaharajaan Maritim, will run for three days starting Dec 20 at the Seri Auditorium, JKKN, Ayer Keroh, Melaka. This collaborative effort involves Persatuan Gerakan Seni Anak Seni, CTRA Production, and JKKN Melaka, with support from the 2024 Cultural Sector Support Grant.
JKKN Deputy Director-General (Culture and Arts Sector) Rosnan Nordin said the staging of this UNESCO-recognised musical drama is part of an effort to encourage artistes to showcase their talents while introducing Sulalatus Salatin to the younger generation.
“It is vital to adapt Sulalatus Salatin, a literary and historical manuscript of immense value, onto the stage as a learning platform for the younger generation to appreciate this highly significant classic,” Rosnan said at a recent press conference.
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The upcoming musical drama, according to its director Siti Rohaya Atan, revolves around the maritime empire of the Straits of Malacca, beginning with the reign of Raja Iskandar Zulkarnain and culminating in the fall of the Malacca Sultanate in 1511.
The script for the play, she said, is adapted from the student edition of Sulalatus Salatin: Sejarah Melayu, which provides a simplified and more accessible version of the classic text.
"This musical historical theatre incorporates the intonation of the old Malay language but is easy for everyone to understand, unlike most traditional theatres that employ the concept of bangsawan theatre.
"We’ve focused on key chapters, including the origins of the Malay civilisation, its peak, and the dramatic conclusion depicting the fall of the Malacca Sultanate," she said, adding that the performance is expected to run for about one and a half hours.
Meanwhile, actress Norish Karman, who plays the role of Embok Ayu, shared her excitement about returning to the theatre after a 13-year hiatus, following her last performance in the musical Terima Kasih Cinta at Istana Budaya.
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"I am looking forward to this because I have been passionate about theatre since I was 12 years old... and perhaps during these seven years of wearing the hijab, I often received acting offers requiring me to appear without the hijab, which is saddening.
“So, when I was offered a theatre role that allows me to remain in hijab, I was overjoyed, even though I haven’t been active in drama for a while. I feel like this is a special gift for my fans,” she said.
Although experienced in theatre, the mother of eight explained that one of the reasons she accepted Siti Rohaya’s offer was the opportunity to portray a character different from those typically seen in modern settings.
Referring to her role in the film Sayang Salmah, which depicted Malay society in Johor from 1955 to 1960, the Singapore-born actress shared her love for period roles as they push an actor's skills to new heights.
"I truly enjoy taking on roles from bygone eras because they require extensive practice and research. For the character of Embok Ayu, I’m still working on her, but insya-Allah, a month will be enough time for me to study and prepare.
“This character isn’t on stage continuously. There are entrances and exits, and I probably have three major scenes. Theatre rehearsals are expected to begin next week,” she said, adding that she continues to watch theatre performances as a form of artistic therapy during her hiatus from acting.
-- BERNAMA