Archive for year: 2022

The late Aziz Sattar [b. 8 August 1925 – d.6 May 2014] (left) and S. Shamsuddin [b. 1 January 1929 – 4 June 2013] (right) were Malaya’s respectful actors and comedians and famously known for their iconic roles in a film series titled Bujang Lapok. The first four films were directed by Tan Sri Datuk Amar Teuku Zakaria Bin Teuku Nyak Puteh or popularly known as Tan Sri P Ramlee. Both Aziz Sattar and S. Shamsuddin reprised their role for the next three films following up from the success of the first one.

A fifth film was made titled Bujang Lapok Kembali Daa(1986) was made after the passing of Tan Sri P Ramlee in 1973, with the director role changed to Aziz Satar and P Ramlee role as Ramlee reprised by his son,Nasir P Ramlee.

CURATOR NOTES:

On the year 2004, The national art gallery had held a program called Wavelines which aim to uniquely capture the beauty of Terengganu’s Islands, Pulau Redang & Perhentian. In order to produce a variety of interpretation and visualization, The National Art gallery had worked together with a group of 9 artist and photographer from international and national origin with various different expertise and backgrounds. The program lasted 5 days, producing various form of photography and videographic works

BACKGROUND ON NORMAH NORDIN

Citing an article by the artist through her blog, Normah Nordin (2010) quoted:

‘’Normah Nordin (A.M.N.) has contributed to Malaysian arts for over 35 years. She is an artist extraordinaire who does not limit herself to any particular form of art. Over the years she has been active in visual arts, theatre, television and films, taking up various roles, scriptwriter, acting coach, art director, producer, director and others. She is also an established visual artist. Her paintings, photographs and installations are often exhibited locally and internationally.

This cultural activist is a role model for many young artists. Amongst them, her former students from various academic institutions and her own training centers.

Normah is trained in many areas of the arts. She holds a B.A. in Art & Design, Fine Arts and Sculpture from Institut Teknologi Mara. Throughout the years she has continuously equipped herself with skills & knowledge through self-training as well as formal training.  She has undergone various formal trainings and residencies across the world.

Some of the trainings and residencies she has had the privilege to experience are – Teaching Technique for TV Trainers, TV Lighting & Stage Design and Design, Photography & Stage Design in sponsored by The British Council London; Stage Lighting with Francis Reid in Kuala Lumpur through the British Council; Editing Digital Non-Linear-Avid in Singapore; TV Production, Screenwriting, Directing and Acting at the National Film Corporation Malaysia (FINAS); Master Class in Screenwriting and Master Class in Production Design for Film under the Ministry of Culture, Arts & Heritage (KEKKWA); Film & Theatre Production ‘Teater Popular’ led by the renown Indonesian director the late Teguh Karya in Jakarta and Visits to ‘Small Professional Theatre Companies in 8 American Cities’ under the American Government State Grant. With the Asian Institute of Broadcasting Development (AIBD) Kuala Lumpur she attended workshop on Color Television Production and Design organized by Canadian and German Television Station.

Normah began her career as a Set Designer in RTM in 1972. In the 11 years of her service there she worked herself up and gained recognition for her contributions. When she left RTM she was already a Senior Designer and Acting Head of Design Department.  By 1982, she became an Assistant Director with FINAS, being the original few staff employed with then only a phone, a chair and a table was given the task to set the ball rolling for a new film industry. In 1984, Normah’s career direction took a major turn.

In that year, she was invited by the late Mustafa Nor to join the Drama Centre. The Drama Centre focused on training young talents in all aspects of professional theatre production. Following her passion in the arts and in educating the young, Normah decided to leave her semi-conventional job to pursue her passion. After the demise of her partner, mentor and friend, Centre Stage Performing Arts (CSPA) was formed with the same mission in 1990.  CSPA became a hub and training ground for many young talents involved in theatre, filmmaking and the visual arts. Normah herself was actively involved in all aspects of theatre and filmmaking by this stage.

During this time Normah also began her teaching career. Throughout the years she has lectured in various Public and Private Higher Education Institutions in Malaysia. Amongst them- Akademi Filem Malaysia (AFM), Akademi Seni Kebangsaan (ASK), Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Education Training Institute Jakarta (PUSTEKOM), Asian Institute of Broadcasting & Development (AIBD), Sunway University College & Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).  Normah was also involved in the setting up of the Faculty of Performing Arts at UiTM in 1999.

At the dawn of the new millennium Normah was awarded the A.M.N. (Ahli Mangku Negara) medal for her contribution to the Arts by the reigning Yang Di Pertuan Agung (then the late Sultan of Selangor). She remains to be active in the Arts up to this day.  A respectable figure in the Arts scene, Normah is often called for to give trainings or talks or sit on the jury panel of various notable Art related competitions.

Normah makes it her duty to support and educate the young. Besides being actively involved in the annual ‘Kids Witness News -KWN’ project that involves hundreds of primary school children across Malaysia creating short video production with ‘Panasonic’. For the past few years Normah spends a lot of her time on her Artnest Studio program which was established in 2007; doing philanthropy works in rural areas such as teaching children English through theatre.

Reference link for the blog: bersama: Who is this Normah Nordin?