Reading the Malay World


Book Description

This collection of essays is the culmination of a symposium on the representation of Malays and Malay culture in Singaporean and Malaysian literature in English held in Universiti Putra Malaysia.




A Campfire Girl's Adventure


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Suvarna-Padma, the Golden Lotus


Book Description

SuvaRna-Padma, the Golden Lotus is one the most important works of well-known Malaysian writer and scholar, Ghulam-Sarwar Yousof, whose two previous plays, Halfway Road, Penang and The Trial of Hang Tuah the Great, have become internationally recognized for their originality of style, as well as significance of issues raised. This play, written in similarly original style, this time approaching the subject matter through the slant of symbolism and myth, deals with the existential dilemma of a writer, Vacha, in a repressive society where censorship is a major problem inhibiting creativity, seriously affecting him psychologically, as well as in terms of his private and public life. In terms of the pertinent issues it deals with, its meaning as well as its stylistic approach, this play transcends cultural boundaries to attain universality.




The Trial of Hang Tuah the Great


Book Description

The Trial of Hang Tuah the Great, a prize-winning play, uses an ancient story of the Malay hero, Hang Tuah, to re-examine of some of the issues connected with identity prevailing in Malaysian society over the past fifty years or so since the independence of Malaya and the establishment of Malaysia. It is an imaginative retelling of the story of Hang Tuah, associated with the Melaka Sultanate of the fifteenth century who, myth and legend maintains, never died, while historians, time and again questioning Hang Tuahs very existence, have recently declared that such a figure never actually existed. The Trial of Hang Tuah the Great takes both these theories into consideration and through them, examines the traditional idea of a hero in the Malay psyche, linking him symbolically to certain individuals, such as Maharaja Lela, and a spectrum of events, mythical, legendary and historical, based on the hypothetical question of who Hang Tuah would have been if he had lived beyond 15th century Melaka right up to our own times and even beyond the present until the year 2020. The plays text is a powerful and stunning confrontation of myth in the manner of Grotowski (Poor Theatre). In terms of staging, as envisioned by its author, The Trial of Hang Tuah the Great is based upon modern western theories and techniques, such as those of Bertolt Brecht (Epic Theatre) and Antonin Artaud (Theatre of Cruelty). In both senses, The Trial of Hang Tuah the Great is a groundbreaking Malaysian play.




Asian Centre Anthology of Malaysian Poetry in English


Book Description

Malaysian writing in English has had a history of over five decades since Malaysia attained independence. This anthology of Malaysian poetry in the English language represents the most complete single collection of poems by veteran as well as new authors to be released in recent decades. In keeping with general trends in poetry, the poets presented in this volume begin with themselves as centres of their own little worlds and then move outwards to those still close to them in different kinds of situations and relationships. They touch upon individual growth and experiences before taking the world and its concerns into their purview. Other poems explore religious and spiritual consciousness. The potential that Man has on his journey of life leads beyond his daily obsessions and takes him into realms of expanding consciousness, with the final stages of the long journey reaching the transcendental and mystical. Altogether, while providing a spectrum of recent Malaysian poetry in English, this collection also gives the reader insights into the unique voices of several generations of Malaysian poets dealing with a whole range of themes connected with their lives, universal issues and concerns.




The Camp Fire Girls in the Mountains


Book Description

"The Camp Fire Girls in the Mountains" by Jane L. Stewart is an exciting and adventurous tale that follows the Camp Fire Girls on a journey to the majestic mountains, where they encounter thrilling challenges and discover the true meaning of friendship, courage, and self-discovery. In this captivating story, the Camp Fire Girls, led by their beloved leader Miss Eleanor Mercer, embark on a summer camping trip to the picturesque mountains. As they leave behind the comforts of their everyday lives, they eagerly embrace the wonders of nature and the opportunities for personal growth that lie ahead. The girls find themselves amidst the breathtaking beauty of the wilderness, where they are surrounded by towering trees, glistening streams, and soaring peaks. They learn essential outdoor skills, such as setting up camp, building fires, and navigating through the rugged terrain. Along the way, they form unbreakable bonds and share laughter, tears, and heartwarming moments that deepen their connections as friends and sisters. Throughout their adventure, the Camp Fire Girls encounter various challenges and obstacles that test their physical and emotional strength. From daring hikes to unexpected encounters with wildlife, each experience pushes them to overcome their fears and develop resilience. As they face these trials, they also learn to lean on one another for support, proving that together, they can conquer any obstacle that comes their way. Amidst the breathtaking landscapes and thrilling escapades, the girls also find moments of reflection and self-discovery. They learn valuable life lessons about perseverance, adaptability, and the importance of staying true to themselves. Through their shared experiences, they gain a deeper understanding of their individual strengths and the unique contributions they can make to the world. "The Camp Fire Girls in the Mountains" is not only an enchanting adventure but also a heartwarming exploration of personal growth and empowerment. It celebrates the spirit of sisterhood, encouraging young readers to embrace their authentic selves and believe in their abilities to make a positive difference in the world. Jane L. Stewart's narrative is filled with vivid descriptions of nature's beauty, captivating readers with the allure of the great outdoors. Through her storytelling, she instills a sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural world, inspiring readers to cherish and protect the environment. The book also emphasizes the Camp Fire Girls' dedication to the principles of the Camp Fire organization, including respect for nature, service to others, and the development of strong character. These values serve as guiding principles for the girls as they navigate through challenges and seek to make a positive impact on their communities and beyond. "The Camp Fire Girls in the Mountains" is a delightful and uplifting read that leaves a lasting impression on young hearts. It encourages readers to embrace adventure, cherish friendships, and embark on their journeys of self-discovery with courage and an open heart."




THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION: CONTAINING ORIGIANL ESSAYS; HISTORICAL NARRATIVES, BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS, SKETCHES OF SOCIETY, TOPOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTIONS, NOVELS AND TALES, ANECDOTED, SELECT EXTRACTS FROM NEW AND EXPENSIVE WORKS; POETRY, ORIGINAL AND SELECETED: THE SPRIRT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS; DISCOVERIES IN THE ARTS AND SCIENCES USEFUL DOMETIC HINTS; VOL. V


Book Description




ISSUES IN TRADITIONAL MALAYSIAN CULTURE


Book Description

This book contains a selection of non-academic materials on a wide range of topics related to Malaysian culture. Several of them deal with traditional Malay theatre genres, particularly mak yong, recognised by UNESCO as an item of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2005, the shadow play and bangsawan. Others record the contributions of prominent personalities as practitioners, preservers, teachers and transmitters of oral traditions. The author touches upon issues related to the precarious situation in the arts in a rapidly changing Malay society which has in general neglected traditional performing arts forms under pressures exerted by modenisation and the simultaneous wave of Islamicisation. His own involvement in teaching, research, documentation as well as preservation of many of these arts provides unique personal insights into some of the problems and pertinent issues. Other essays of a more general nature, touch upon the continuing and at times controversial relationships between Malay cultural manifestations and those in neighbouring countries, contributions of the minority Indian-Muslim community in Malaysia, and upon the role of the administration in the preservation of heritage. The brief accounts contained in this volume are presented in a direct and readable manner for the non-expert enthusiast of culture and the arts from the perspective of someone deeply and passionately involved.




Reading Malaysian Literature in English


Book Description

This book brings together fourteen articles by prominent critics of Malaysian Anglophone literature from five different countries: Australia, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore, and the US. It investigates the thematic and stylistic trends in the literary products of selected writers of the tradition in the genres of drama, fiction, and poetry, from its beginnings to the present, focusing mainly on the postcolonial themes of ethnicity, gender, diaspora, and nationalism, which are central to the creativity and imagination of these writers. The book explores the works of not just the established writers of the tradition but also those who have received little critical attention to date but who are equally gifted, such as Adibah Amin, Edward Dorall, Rehaman Rashid, and Huzir Suleiman. The chapters collectively address the challenges and achievements of writers in the English language in a country where English is widely used in daily life and yet marginalised in the creative domain to elevate the status of writings in the national language, i.e., Bahasa Malaysia. The book will demonstrate that in spite of such recurrent neglect of the medium, Malaysia has produced a number of outstanding writers in the language, who are comparable in creativity and craftsmanship to writers of other Anglophone traditions. The book will be of interest to readers and researchers of Malaysian literature, postcolonial literatures, minority literatures, gender studies, and Southeast Asian studies.