ONANGKIU takes the cake

Writers Unleashed - Quest for the Best Manuscripts

ONANGKIU - The Warrior Princess of Gellangui
Best Manuscript

SITI -The Queen Regnant
Consolation

On Bernama Today

On Bernama Today 

Monday, 6th October 2014 with host, Elaine

NAGA is the result of a collaboration of many parties. In Malaysia, Australia and India. From Singapore and Indonesia too.

It is a story that takes a page from the history of the region. 

Our legends are the memories of our ancient civilization.

ninotaziz

NAGA IN THE SUNDAY TIMES

Thank you NST!

Interview with Stu Taylor (USA) : NAGA

NAGA BOOK TRAILER : ONLINE PREMIER

 

Hope you enjoy the NAGA Book Trailer.


NAGA - A Legend of Tasik Chini is available online
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | XLibris

For more information, please visit
www.nagabyninotaziz.com



Thank you.

WORLD ONLINE PREMIER OF NAGA BOOK TRAILER

 

 

 

Dearest poets and friends!

 

Just to let you know, I am about ready to push my novel NAGA to the global audience. Next week on Tueday, 30th September,  I will launch a new Asian book trailer video on Facebook@ninotaziz, Twitter @ninotaziz, Youtube and my blogs.

 

Really hope you can help share it with as many people as possible as I would like to see how far we can go on the net with this through family and friends.

Looking forward to your support, everyone. There will be three things to share;

Tuesday, 30th September 2014
'Book Trailer' video - NAGA - A Legend of Tasik Chini

Friday, 3rd October 2014  
Interview with Stu Tyler podcast

   Monday, 6th October 2014
Book Recommendation by XLibris

 

Friends in  Malaysia, Australia, UK, USA, Canada, Singapore, Indonesia, India and Philippines among others have agreed to help put the word out.

 

Counting on your help!

 

Sincerely, from Malaysia with love,

 

Zalina Abdul Aziz @ ninotaziz

http://www.nagabyninotaziz.com

 

 

COUNTDOWN TO 30TH SEPTEMBER 2014

FROM THE PANTUN : OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II

The Academy Award winner Oscar Hammerstein II seems as far away from the pantun as can be. The musical theatre genius from a bygone era co-wrote 850 songs, and Hammerstein was the lyricist and playwright in his partnerships; his collaborators wrote the music. His most famous collaboration, by far, was with Richard Rodgers, which included one of my favourite movies when I was a child - The Sound of Music.

There is a very enduring song Hammerstein wrote called I am Going To Like It Here, sung very charmingly by Lea Salonga in the accompanying YouTube video.

Oscar Hammerstein's song is an example of a form of poetry made popular in France called the pantoum, which is of course the form inspired by our 15th century pantun berkait, and popularised in 19th century France by none other than Victor Hugo.

I AM GOING TO LIKE IT HERE

I'm going to like it here.
There is something about the place,
An encouraging atmosphere,
Like a smile on a friendly face.

There is something about the place,
So caressing and warm it is.
Like a smile on a friendly face,
Like a port in a storm it is.

So caressing and warm it is.
All the people are so sincere.
Like a port in a storm it is.
I am going to like here.

All the people are so sincere.
There's especially one I like.
I am going to like here.
It's the father's first son I like.

There's especially one I like.
There is something about his face.
It's the father's first son I like.
He's the reason I love the place.

There is something about his face.
I would follow him anywhere.
If he goes to another place,
I am going to like it there.

Oscar Hammerstein II
New York

NAGA - A VIDEO PREVIEW

NAGA spans three realms from the ancient world -- Middle Kingdom during the Tang Dynasty, Nagara and Bhumi Semenanjung Melayu. It is the story of three adventurers, Sri Gemom, Srikandi and Kemboja and how fate set their worlds on a collision course that shook the very foundations of an ancient civilisation. More than that, against the background of sorcery and magic, the tragic tale of survival and loyalty shines through.

To learn more or order the book:
http://bookstore.xlibris.com/Products...

A mother's joy

Legacy of The Malay Manuscript

The knowledge and wisdom preserved in the ancient Malay manuscripts are astounding, and the manuscripts themselves are priceless works of art, writes ninotaziz

The Malay Manuscripts are hand-written records from the 16th Century, or even earlier, produced by the royal scribes of the Malay Sultanates. These were works of exquisite beauty and are priceless. Among the most famous works are the Sulalatus Sulatin and Hikayat Hang Tuah, both recognised by Unesco today as Masterpieces of the World and are kept as a heritage legacy of Malaysia.

Read more in the NST:  Legacy of the Malay manuscripts 

ninotaziz, author, poet and story-teller believes that legends are the memories of our ancient civilisations.

Hang Tuah: The Man and The Myth

Once a revered hero, today Hang Tuah's legacy is marred by controversy, writes ninotaziz

WHAT do you think of Hang Tuah? Did he exist?

There have been many conjecture and analysis, claims and suppositions made about the existence of legendary hero, Hang Tuah. On TV, Facebook and on the streets of Malacca, many ask the same question.

More importantly, what is the relevance of Hang Tuah for us today?

There was a time when Hang Tuah was as real in our mind as the greatest heroes of the world. And foremost for us, he was a Malaysian hero. Until recently, he was all but erased from our subconscious. At best, the man was embroiled in a quagmire of controversy. From his strict loyalty to the Sultan to the background of his ancestry, all these become subject of debate, contention and sadly at times, derision. It is an inexplicable phenomenon that when many cultures revere their legends and heroes, many in Malaysia decide to abandon theirs. Why this is so proves to be as interesting as the question of Hang Tuah’s existence, if not more so.

Read more: HERITAGE: Hang Tuah: The Man and The Myth 

ninotaziz, author, poet and story-teller believes that legends are the memories of our ancient civilisations.

Love Stories from the Chinese Opera

The ancient theatre tradition of the Chinese Opera has always captivated ninotaziz

MALAYSIA has a strong tradition of dance and drama theatre, which has existed for hundreds of years. The Makyong, wayang kulit and the Bangsawan were among the arts sustained through many generations. It is no wonder then that the Chinese Opera fits in so well in our gamut of artistic heritage. In fact, like all good theatre, if one looks closely, we would be able to see that what makes excellent Chinese Opera is much the same as what would make a truly memorable Makyong performance.

Read more: Love stories from Chinese Opera in the Sunday Life & Times - New Straits Times 


ninotaziz, author, poet and story-teller believes that legends are the memories of our ancient civilisations.

In the Sunday Times: The Psyche of The Malay Hikayat

It is a national treasure that needs to be cherished and returned to prominence, writes ninotaziz

Inilah warta orang dahulukala
Cerita dibawa air yang hilir
Angin yang lalu
Dan burung yang terbang...

*Once, an ancient story was whispered... upon even more ancient winds...Hikayat Malim Deman

FROM time immemorial, our people have travelled into the unknown in search of knowledge. To be the universal man, one must face hardship and travel the world.

How do we know this? Such journeys are, almost always, the basis of all Malay Hikayat. It is evident in our culture, the literature, the taboos and our legends and folklore, a constant assimilation and acceptance of foreign cultures unlike anywhere else in the world.

Read more: HERITAGE: Psyche of the Malay Hikayat in the Sunday Life & Times - New Straits Times 


ninotaziz, author, poet and story-teller believes that legends are the memories of our ancient civilisations.