jeudi, octobre 20, 2005

Warisan Penglipurlara

FROM THE WRITTEN STONE oleh ninotaziz

‘FROM THE WRITTEN STONE’ adalah koleksi/antologi cerita-cerita Hikayat Melayu lama yang ditulis oleh ninotaziz dan diterbitkan olen Utusan Publishers and Distributors Sdn dan Bhd.

Hasil kesusasteraan Melayu tradisional lama yang termasyhur seperti Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa, Shair Siti Zubaidah Perang China, Hikayat Malim Deman, Hikayat Hang Tuah, terutamanya Sejarah Melayu atau Sulalat-us-Salatin dan sebagainya adalah warisan kebudayaan yang tidak ternilai dan diakui keagungan karyanya. Malah sejak kurun ke 18, teks Sejarah Melayu menerima perhatian ahli sastera dan sejarah seperti Petrus Van Der Vorm (1707-1708), John Leyden, Sir Stamford Raffles dan Abdullah Munshi (kurun ke19), sehingga pengulasan dan kajian mendalam oleh R O Winstedt. Hari ini hikayat lama Melayu masih menjadi topic thesis PHD pengkaji-pengkaji kesasterawaan didalam negara serta diseluruh dunia seperti di London, Perancis dan di China.

Hikayat lama ini menyingkap peristiwa dan cerita-cerita asal keturunan raja-raja, sejarah setempat dan adat resam Melayu lama. Tapi hakikatnya, hikayat-hikayat ini kekal hingga hari ini oleh kerana tradisi penglipurlara yang menghiburkan para istana dan rakyat jelata sejak zaman silam lagi. Pada kurun ke 16, barulah timbul teks-teks hikayat yang di perintahkan penghasilannya supaya ‘hari pertuturan segala raja-raja Melayu serta adat istiadatnya supaya didengar oleh anak cucu kita yang kemudiannya dari kita dan diketahuinyalah segala perakataan syahadan beroleh faedahlah mereka daripadanya.”

Dalam konteks ini, sebagai penulis FROM THE WRITTEN STONE, saya mengutarakan tradisi penglipurlara ini sebagai penyumbang kesinambungan tradisi sastera Melayu. Cerita-cerita hikayat ini selain dari menghiburkan, juga mencerminkan budaya bangsa yang bertamadun, klasik dan cosmopolitan. Oleh itu, ianya patut diketengahkan sebagai satu warisan bangsa yang sama penting, jika tidak yang terpenting, setanding dengan warisan seni, kraf, pementasan dan sebagainya.

Warisan budaya akan hilang jika tidak diberi nafas baru oleh setiap generasi. Dengan menulis didalam Bahasa Inggeris, saya cuba memperkenalkan hikayat-hikayat Melayu kepada pembaca seperti pelajar, pelancung, diplomat, ahli-ahli korporat dengan harapan cerita-cerita ini sama masyhur seperti cerita-cerita agung lain seperti hasil nukilan Homer, Tolkien dan penyajak Sanskrit Valmiki. Cerita-cerita hikayat seperti Illiad, Lord of the Rings (walaupun baru 50 tahun, dikenali seluruh dunia) dan Ramayana malah ‘fairy tales’ menjadi bacaan lazim kanak-kanak seluruh dunia termasuk dinegara kita. Bukankah elok jika anak-anak bangsa kita dapat membaca cerita hikayat kita sendiri disamping mempelajari hikayat-hikayat lain dunia?

KEUNIKAN BUKU/VCD ‘FROM THE WRITTEN STONE’

1 Tidak banyak hikayat ditulis didalam bahasa Inggeris terutama untuk pembaca umum. Saya ingin mempopularkan hikayat ataupun cerita ‘folklore’ nusantara kita seperti yang dibuat olen penulis terkenal Andrew Lang.

2 FROM THE WRITTEN STONE ditulis didalam bahasa Inggeris gabungan bentuk ‘prose’ dan ‘poetry’ yang tinggi bentuk dan nilai penulisannya

3 Menggunakan illustrasi atau lukisan yang indah menerapkan ciri-ciri unik Malaysia seperti alam flora dan fauna, alat kegunaan harian, pemandangan indah yang lazim di bumi dan lautan kita, pemakaian tradisi klasik yang mencerminkan budaya Malaysia berbilang kaum.

4 Penerapan pantun asal hikayat untuk merakamkan keindahan bahasa Melayu asli dan asal yang telah ujud zaman berzaman, kekal hingga hari ini

5 Koleksi cerita-cerita yang mencerminkan budaya majmuk – satu warisan yang telah ujud berkurun lamanya di nusantara

6 Berdasarkan ‘research’ yang mendalam hikayat serta kajian sastera terkini

Saya berani mengatakan berdasarkan sebab-sebab diatas, tiada koleksi yang ujud hari ini seperti ‘FROM THE WRITTEN STONE’ serta buku-buku saya seterusnya ‘FROM THE GATHERING’ dan ‘FROM THE MAKYUNG’ terbitan Utusan Publications and Distributors.

Namun, terdapat cerita-cerita sejarah yang tertulis didalam bahasa Inggeris yang amat baik seperti ‘A CHILDREN’S HISTORY OF MALAYSIA’ yang ditulis oleh Tunku Halim terbitan Pelanduk.

Saya berazam terus giat menulis cerita-cerita hikayat nusantara kerana saya berpendapat hikayat lama kita amat kaya dengan nilai kesasterawaan. Oleh kerana Bahasa Melayu menjadi Lingua Franca dikurun ke 15, hikayat-hikayat Melayu juga berunsurkan sejarah dan ‘folklore’ serantau Campa, Indonesia, Siam dan sebagainya juga patut diperkenalkan sebagai hikayat Melayu lama.

dimanche, octobre 09, 2005

Rudi

They say when you meet the love of your life, time stops.

It did for me. Rudi was playing volleyball and the way he moved caught my eye. He was certainly beautiful to look at.

But then, he smiled and I immediately, irrevocably fell in love.

Since then, so much has happened and yet in some ways, time stood still. I remember riding on his motorbike throughout the night, just stopping anywhere and everywhere to chat. He would read me poetry on the balcony and play 'memory' with Iman and put Inas on his shoulders. The first concert we saw together with the girls was KRU at PWTC.

It's the little things that count. That he would take me to see Moulin Rouge - without me asking and rent Monalisa Smile for me. During my writing spells - where I write and research for hours at a stretch, particularly over a weekend, he would take the kids out. Today, I love the way he reads Barney to Irani and plays with Ilena.

There were so many things - kerang bakar, telling him the story of The Little Prince by De Antoine Saint-Exupery, billiards, trainrides, becha rides...little things like little miniature cards and smart tag readers to make my ride to work a little more easier.

When we are in Kelantan, I need not ask for anything. It is as if he can anticipate whatever I need and have his sisters send it to me.

After being unable to write for so many years, I immediately started writing again the day after I met Rudi. And have now completed 2 books.

I told someone, when I am happy nowadays, it is as if I am the happiest woman on earth. And when I am unhappy, it is as if all the anger can't contain my fury.

I thank God for Rudi, my Sundancer, husband and best friend.

mercredi, octobre 05, 2005

Inas' Pledge and Algebra

Inas had her first dose of Algebra. And loved it.

And she solemnly pledged that she is going to start studying hard. Loved her drawing of the human respitory system.

by the way, Inas is so gifted at drawing, I wonder at times where it comes from. Must put her sketches up on Purple Clouds.

The Picnic

Colour My World

Birthdays

On Ilena's birthday, 9 August, we had a small birthday party and a studio photography session. Ilena started walking almost immediately and just loves to toddle around.

And my birthday was the worst day in the office. Until I reached home and Irani said, " Ilove you soooo much , Mak." in her heartfelt manner with mona lisa smile.

That made my day the best ever.

UPSR MAdness

To think that I would have to go through this in two years time.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed this roller coaster ride through Iman's first major step in life. Earlier this year, she panicked and broke down in tears when her results were less than satisfactory. Throughout the months, a stronger Iman emerged . In August, she did her Piano exam which she eventually passed and in September, her UPSR after aceing her trials.

So, the standard sixers enjoyed themselves in Langkawi for 3 days. No matter how she does, I am proud of her for she came through with much diligence, determination and self discipline.

Congratulations, Iman.

Al-Fatihah

My dearest aunt, albeit a bit strange and flamboyant, passed away in August. Auntie Yah took care of me when I was little. She would make sure we are scrubbed clean after playing in the rain and check our school bags for any 'extra' coins which would somehow make its way there. She was also my father's secretary. She would make the loveliest Sardine Sandwiches using an iron, and make the most marvellous nasi goreng. When I was going through my divorce, she was a tower of strength and Iman, Inas and I stayed with her in a shoplot on the 4th floor, after leaving Jaf.

Long before anybody could tolerate the idea of me marrying Rudi for the variety of reasons, Auntie Yah and Shahrul became his best buddies, Rudi becoming an ardent admirer of her cooking. Those were blissful days, poor but quite enchanting.

I wanted so much for Auntie Yah to stay with us come December when we move to Rawang. But it was not meant to be. On 27 August,2005 I was at UH, never really accepting the fact that she might be leaving us...evenwhile I was reading the Yassin. I was so preoccupied in doing the right thing, making sure Shahrul gets to see his mother one last time, consoling him when she was finally no longer with us, I forgot to remember the times.

Today, on he first day of Ramadhan, I will say a little prayer for her, May she rest in peace.

mercredi, mai 25, 2005

Inas, the violin-player

Of course Inas is so much more than the violin player.



She is the mirror of emotions, the dancer, my rhymemaker, homemaker, little architect, cartoonist, animal lover. She loves her bicycle and wants to learn French (I suspect so that she can study Architecture in Paris where the Louvre Museum and the I Pei pyramid are). I also suspect when Inas was smaller, she had ESP for she could relate a lot of things I never knew she was in the know and could always, ALWAYS locate missing items.

But when she plays the violin, she is a marvel and her music comes through as happy, enchanting and beautifully haunting as well. And Inas herself? She radiates. And becomes an angel.

Inas' BFF is Shahida, a tall lanky sweet child who made the news two weeks ago when she was chased by two rottweilers, saved only by a neighbour who saw her tearing, dashing away on her bike before falling into a drain. They call each other daily and have sleepovers. But Inas is also the sister who knows just how to make Ilena smile or brings back sweets for Irani.

All the girls love their books, even Ilena, and Inas loves her Enid Blyton most of all. And her Art Attack magazines. And her Fairytale anthology.

And I love her just the way she is.

Iman, the pre-teen

That's what Iman and her gang call themselves - pre-teens. By the way, the gang comprise Shawal - ms popular, smart, blog genius; Holly Szia - budding writer, witty, tall; Caryn - sweet, adorable; Farah - world traveller, going thru pain; Zulaikha - booklover, studious, Nicole - I have yet to get to know Nicole, she seems quiet and Iman - budding writer with her head bursting with stories (the first ever was The Treasure of Life), music and radio junkie, responsible, ultimate teen planner (that comes from juggling two families), activity go-getter, beastly at times to her sisters. And there's Ally in the UK.

When I see Iman at this stage in her life, I remember my growing up days fondly. But Iman is so much more resilient, capable and techno-savvy than I ever was.She loves playing jazzy numbers on the piano (when she's angry, the piano is played loud, fast and staccato) and sees the quirky and funny in many an odd situations. She insisted on tuition, insisted on camping despite her asma and so faithfully took her medication along, same thing when she was performing in Barbie Rapunzel when she had to wear a rabbit suit! A taskmaster when she teaches Inas, but she manages to put the points across. Wasn't it Anna, in The King And I, who said, 'By your students you are thought.' Anyway, Iman has grit and determination and I love her for it.

She would talk to me about almost everything and we'd buy books on subjects we find difficult to discuss like On The Spot.And discuss it anyway. And she'd be the first to ask me about lesbians and tell me to make sure 'night-activities' stay private!

Despite of my grumbling and yes, sometimes yelling about her room, her keys, her shoes, she really makes me proud and Iman, in life, as long as you do YOUR best, I am happy with that.

vendredi, mai 13, 2005

My newest baby - From The Written Stone

FROM THE WRITTEN STONE
by Zalina Abdul Aziz@ninotaziz
(Published by Utusan Publishers and Distributors)


Malaysia has a rich literary heritage in the form of folklore, legends and epics, which has survived the birth and destruction of many civilizations throughout our history. Puisi, pantun, gurindam and syair – epic poem and prose, are but some of the enduring legacies of our forefathers from a millennia ago. Its vivid imaginary, mythical qualities and elegant language
provide and enlightening wealth of literary wonder.



FROM THE WRITTEN STONE is the testimony to our cultured past which is interwoven into the very fabric of our society. The influence of the Islam, Hindu and Chinese made its way over the centuries into our legends and has its own history in its telling.

The Book – From The Written Stone
An anthology of Malaysian Folklore and Legends, rewritten in beautiful poetry and prose, produced as a homage to the opulent and flowery roots of our language, for the world to appreciate. It is an apt introduction to the most famous legends of the land. The text is presented with dreamlike quality illustrations.

Special Edition
This anthology makes the perfect coffee-table edition or and introduction gift for Diplomatic, Trade, Liaison parties or a leisure read at Hotels/Airlines, tourist and the general public. It immediately projects the idea of Malaysia, that is:
• Cultured, rich and diverse; a society proud of its Ancient History
• Mythical and Exotic

Children’s Edition
An abridged version, made suitable for children’s pastime reading, a perfect introduction to Malaysian popular and classic folklore.

*Illustration by Rudi, a recent graduate of the Art School, UiTM.
Translation provided by Kamariah Jaafar@Kelana - in progress

My Life In My Bag?

Today is carwash day.



And as I added my new smart-tag reader into my already bulging DK bag, I began to marvel at the array of stuff I have inside. How is all this reflective of me?

The year is 2005. In the 1980s, I had my IC, some cash if it's early in the quarter, my Student ID, my ISIC card, an OC-Transpo monthly pass if it's winter, my Nova Scotia bank book, ATM card and that's about it.

Today? Let's see...

In my Organiser
IC
Driving Licence
Credit Cards
3 BookStore Memberships
Yassin
Office Entry Card

Hi-Tech
Camera-phone
Car Stereo head
Smart-Tag Reader
2 pen-drives

Mom Stuff
Ilena's Pampers-case
Colour Pencils
Ira's Report card
Extra 'Ikat rambut'stuff
Inas' McD membersship card

Writer-in-me-stuff
Current Read
Pencilcase
Notebook cum journal

Just me
Car-Keys
Sunglasses
Small make-up case

Hmm...

mardi, avril 26, 2005

Ilena, my princess

Nadessia Ilena.

Sweet. Perfect. Lilting laughter. 2 front teeth. Strong. Soft. Angelic. Manja. Hungry. Playful. Daddy's girl.
Related Posts with Thumbnails