LETTERS: Once again, the Kelantan government has embarked on its crusade of making the traditional performing arts Syariah compliant. Previously, it was wayang kulit and makyong, now it's main putri.
Executive councillor Major Datuk Md Anizam Abdul Rahman said it would conduct a study to determine elements that are non-Islamic in main putri.
Main putri is an ancient healing ceremony that is an integral part of makyong. It uses makyong music, movements and repertoire in the ceremony.
While the makyong performance relates stories such as Dewa Muda or Bongsu Sakti, with actors and actresses supported by an all-female chorus, main putri has only two main performers: Tok Minduk and Tok Putri, other than the musicians and patients.
Tok Minduk is the rebab player who guides Tok Putri, the healer, who acts out, while in an altered state, character roles to determine the psychosomatic illness.
There are animistic elements in this healing ceremony, considering that it started during a time when animism was part of the belief system.
But through time, these non-Islamic elements have lost their significance and have become adornments that add to the mystical ambience of the ceremony.
In fact, this healing ceremony has a scientific basis, as shown by research undertaken by the Performing Arts Department of Universiti Sains Malaysia.
The researchers examined it within the context of clinical medicine, especially the neurological aspects that deal with the non-invasive stimulation of the brain.
The elements of main putri that stimulate the brain are music (sonic orders), movement (kinetic) energy and mantra (auto-suggestion and sound stimulus).
The music (sound vibrations) activates brain wave patterns to elicit emotional states that cause the brain to release endocrine, dopamine, opioid and serotonin, which act as painkillers, stress release and muscles relaxation.
The mantra acts as autosuggestion to patients, assuring them that they will be cured.
Thus, main putri has scientific basis that's couched in mysticism.
Together with herbal pharmacological and tactile healing, it was the mainstay of healthcare before the advent of clinical medicine.
As modern medicine became more accessible and versatile to address invasive and non-invasive interventions, main putri lost its appeal among the younger, educated generation, leaving only the older generation to keep it alive and relevant.
Nevertheless, it is an important part of our heritage and should be preserved as a historical and anthropological reference of early forms of healthcare.
Making it Syariah compliant would affect its original performance healing structure that exhibits an ancient belief system.
Main putri does not pose any threat to Islam. There are more pressing problems, such as drug abuse, pornography and poverty, in Kelantan that need attention.
Instead of attempting to adulterate the traditional performing arts, we should preserve and promote them in their original form.
MOHAMED GHOUSE NASURUDDIN
Centre for Policy Research and International Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times