Page 118 - The Guide To Sarawak

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THE ARTS
Poetry
Thanks to its rich oral literature, Sarawak has a strong poetic tradition. Prominent among Malay language poets is Datu Dr. Adi Badiozaman Tuah, who has won several national prizes for his poems. Harum Manis Negeri Kami (2010),
a compilation of 70 Malay poems by 22 local poets, was published by Pekasa (Persatuan Karyawan Sastera Sarawak). The
only published poet in English is the late Datuk Amar James Wong, who produced two anthologies – A Special Breed (1980) and Shimmering Moonbeams (1983), as well as several prose works.
Drama
Sarawak does not yet have a strong history of drama, and performances are largely confined to the amateur arena, especially schools and colleges.
Shimmering Moonbeams – poetry by the late Datuk Amar James Wong.
The Chief Minister’s Drama Festival 2002. The winning team pose with the then Chief Minister and his wife, the late Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Hajah Laila Taib.
However, steps are being taken to develop the dramatic arts through a number of initiatives and organizations.
The Sekolah Seni Malaysia Kuching (Malaysia Arts School Kuching) was established in 2007 in
line with the National Philosophy of Education to develop artistic potential in the individual in a holistic manner. The
syllabus includes theatre, music, dance and visual arts, with an academic syllabus similar to national secondary schools.
SSMK students have participated in the World Harvest Festival and the Border Games between Malaysia and Indonesia, and have performed at
the Commonwealth and ASEAN Education Ministers Conferences.
Students from Batu Lintang Teacher Training College perform their winning entry in the Chief Minister’s Drama Festival 2002.