Malay Literature as Heritage Art

Pantun, Gurindam, Puisi, Syair and Sajak. The components of Malay literature. How is it a heritage art?

This 7 to 8 March 2009 at the Malay Heritage Centre, Malay literature is culturally revived as we witness famous Malay literary art figures engage in Malay poetryreading sessions which are organised by Degup Sastera, with support from the Malay Heritage Centre, Kesatuan Guru-Guru Melayu Singapura (Singapore Association of Malay Teachers) and Sultan mosque.

The 2-day event, known as “Seminar Sastera” or “Literary Seminar” consists of 3 fringe seminars; ‘Klinik Puisi Tradisional Bersama Djamal Tukimin’ (Poetry Clinic with Djamal Tukimin), “Islam and Poetry” Seminar and ‘Baca Puisi Nusantara Ke-III’ or ‘The 3rd Southeast Asian Poetry-Reading’ as the main highlight.

Dr. Maliki Bin Osman, Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of National Development will be gracing the ‘Baca Puisi Nusantara Ke-III’ as the Guest-of-Honour on 8 March 2009.

Renowned international Malay poets including Mr. Djamal Tukimin (Singapore), Khalid Salleh (Malaysia), Samson Rambah Pasir (Indonesia) and Zefri Ariff (Brunei Darussalam) will be in town to warm our hearts with their beautiful and soulful poems which is a social cure in these hard times of economic slump.

Mr. Djamal Tukimin, a major contributor to the Singaporean Malay literary scene who has won the Tun Seri Lanang award by the Malay Language Council will be performing an extract from his poetry song, “Perempuan Itu Rawanhiba, Rawanhiba Itu Cinta” which was staged last year at the Esplanade in-conjunction with Pesta Raya 2008.

Youths, tertiary students and Malay language teachers are encouraged to participate in the ‘Klinik Puisi Bersama Djamal Tukimin’. The objective of this poetry clinic is to teach poetry-reading which need not be necessarily passive; the former can be collaborated to showcase poetry as a performing art such as dance, theatre, music or multi-media art. Through these creative initiatives, poetry-reading will be much more attractive thus retaining its classical aspects of Malay literature.

For just $20 upon registration of the poetry clinic, students and teachers will also get to attend the interactive “Islam & Poetry” Seminar. Each participant will receive writing materials and be treated to lunch and refreshments! For those who aspire to be a poet, you can purchase a book called ‘Hati Mesra’ with up to 50% discount by author Ulrich Krutz, a renowned poet from Germany.

On the same day of the ‘Baca Puisi Nusantara Ke-III’, the Centre will be inviting Malay literary art enthusiasts to an interesting seminar which explores the relationship between “Islam and Poetry” by acclaimed Malay literary leaders such as Mr. Djamal Tukimin, Khalid Salleh and many others!

Be entertained with Singapore’s home-grown artist, Art Fazil as he performs a special poetic song for poetry lovers at heart.

“The main focus of the ‘Seminar Sastera’ is to develop Malay Heritage Centre as a platform for tertiary students to learn poetry as a form of literary and heritage art,” according to Mr. Djamal Tukimin.

“This event has been organised at MHC each year and the significance is for the Centre to be recognised as an institution of ‘Oral Literature in Singapore’ where poetry can come alive either through theater or dance and other performing arts genres. With this we cordially invite all Malay literary Arts aficionados to participate and witness this literary seminar,” said Mr. Eddy Noor Hassan, General Manager of Malay Heritage Centre.

Top Photo: Poet Djamal Tukimin

Photo Courtesy of Malay Heritage Centre. All Rights Reserved.