Tunas Tari aims to instil and develop a sense of appreciation of the country’s rich culture and heritage in children, writes Zuliantie Dzul
There’s a Malay proverb that goes “melentur buluh biar dari rebung”. The literal translation is, to bend a bamboo, you have to start from the shoot. What it essentially means is that if you want to cultivate values, you must do it when the person is still young. This idea spurred six school friends to establish a traditional dance school for children aged 4 years and above.
With a passion for the arts in general and traditional dance in particular, corporate finance specialist Fazlin Abu Hassan Shaari and friends formed Tunas Tari, which aims to instil and develop a sense of appreciation of the country’s rich culture and heritage.
“I wanted to do something more. So I took a break from my corporate job and spent a lot of time interacting with children. I discovered that many kids these days lack confidence. Some can’t even converse properly,” shares Fazlin.
Dance was something she and her friends enjoyed when they were in school. They always looked forward to participating in any dance show or competition. The joy of dancing and character building are among the things they’re hoping these students will experience.
She adds: “Some parents don’t see the value in traditional Malay dance. That’s something we’re trying to change by making the content more interesting. It includes more than just dance. We’re working towards enrichment and knowledge. They don’t have to necessarily be dancers, but we want them to appreciate this heritage and learn the history.”
Since the studio opened in August, it already has 50 students under its wings. “We start with Malay dance first. Eventually, we will incorporate other dances from other cultures, such as Chinese, Indian, and ethnic Sabah and Sarawak. If we don’t expose these kids, we will lose our traditions,” says Fazlin.
Teaching the kids how to dance, however, is no walk in the park. Dance instructor Wan Yusniza Wan Yusuf shares that it is a challenging task. “With kids being kids, especially the pre-schoolers, I have to entertain them first, and only then I can get them to follow my instructions,” says Wan Yusniza, who has been dancing for 12 years.
For this school holidays, Tunas Tari has already mapped out an exciting line-up for those interested to join. Other than dancing, the studio also offers workshops, arts and crafts classes and excursions. Participants can expect to engage in traditional activities such as wau bulan making, ketupat weaving and fabric painting.
Tunas Tari will also have a dance icon in the form of Rosnan Rahman as a special guest instructor for its special Mak Yong classes. Rosnan needs no introduction in the traditional performance arts scene. A Mak Yong icon in his own right, he is fondly referred to as the Malaysian Pak Yong, being the sole male performer playing the role.
AUTHENTIC AND UNIQUE
Dancing has been Rosnan’s passion since young and he has been doing it for almost 20 years. This Kedahan actually has a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture, but found his calling in dancing and acting. He acquired knowledge in Mak Yong from other icons such as Jumilah Tahir, Che Mat Jusoh, Fatimah Abdullah and Ruhani Md Zain.
“Mak Yong is very authentic. Its graceful movement can be very spiritual. This dance gives me joy and satisfaction,” confides the 43-year-old.
Mak Yong is the only Malaysian traditional performing arts recognised by Unesco in 2005 as a Masterpiece Of The Oral And Intangible Heritage Of Humanity. This ancient theatre form created by Malaysia’s Malay communities encompasses elements of acting, vocal and instrumental music, gestures and elaborate costumes. Specific to the villages of Kelantan, where the tradition originated, Mak Yong is performed mainly as entertainment or for ritual purposes related to healing practices.
The singing and musical repertoire are rather unique. The most elaborate sequence in a Mak Yong performance is the opening song, Menghadap Rebab, during which the dancers face east in salutation to the rebab (spiked fiddle) before the main story unfolds.
Mak Yong has been preserved until today, thanks largely to oral transmission, which requires long years of training. Unfortunately, few young people are willing to commit to such rigorous apprenticeships these days. As a result, this important tradition is undergoing a steady decline as attested to by reduced dramatic and musical repertories and a shortage of seasoned performers.
“It’s our responsibility to preserve Mak Yong. It’s a world heritage. Through dance programmes that Tunas Tari offers, I hope we can find apprentices who will keep this tradition alive,” says Rosnan.
Through Mak Yong, he shares, we are able to learn more about our heritage and identity. “When tourists come to Malaysia, they can identify us through this tradition. We can put ourselves on the same level with other developed countries with a rich heritage. We must not be outdated,” he adds.
Rosnan confides that he will never forget this advice he received from one of his idols: “No matter how challenging the road can be, you must never give up. Make sure you keep Mak Yong alive.”
FAMILY AFFAIR
A group of pre-schoolers begin taking their places on the dance floor of the studio in Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur. Some have their hair tied up high in a playful ponytail while others have it neatly in a bun. They begin following their dance instructor Wan Yusniza, dancing gracefully, albeit rather unsynchronised at times. But their focus is unwavering. Their parents sit nearby, watching proudly while some capture the moment using their phones. It’s really a family affair.
Munir Ismail never fails to send his 4-year-old daughter Raina Emelda to the classes almost every week. He marvels at his daughter’s blossoming development since she joined the class. “I see this dance promotes Malaysian culture. That’s why I brought my daughter here. It’s good for her to be exposed and get first-hand knowledge and experience,” shares the 37-year-old architect, eyes shining with pride.
He praises Tunas Tari for offering this opportunity to the new generation. “It’s a shame if we don’t take advantage of it,” he adds.
As I conclude my visit, Rosnan offers some parting words: “It doesn’t matter if you are not good at dancing. Just have the passion for it. You can always start from scratch. I am still learning to be better.”
The road to success may be challenging, says Fazlin, but the reward will be worth it. She and Rosnan share the same hope that new generation will appreciate this heritage and uphold the tradition so it will not be forgotten.