Nazmi Yaakub's Blog, page 3
November 8, 2015
Ridzuan Harun, the quiet poet
A couple years before Azizi Haji Abdullah passed away, we had a late night chit-chat at Bucu - a Mamak (Indian Muslim) restaurant near Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) - when that prolific writer came to KL. A few fellow writers joined us such as Ridzuan Harun, Lutfi Ishak and SM Zakir.
The most short-spoken person in our late night chit-chat was Ridzuan Harun. Ridzuan was so self-contained that Azizi had to jest with him, "Hang dok diam saja. Hang pi baliklah!" (You are so quiet. You go home!). Of course that sounded harsh, not to mention Azizi came that night with Ridzuan. But it was friendly enough for northern people to joke like that. And that joke will be repeating when Ridzuan choose to hold his tongue among us.
Nevertheless, Ridzuan Harun indeed is a quiet poet. His words came to the light in his poetry more than in shape of his voice. Yet when we talk about a poet who have much experience with others prominent authors who had passed away such as Azizi, T Alias Taib and Rahimidin Zahari; Ridzuan is among the best 'literary historian' in our country. Still we have to wait the best of him to come out in term of literary memoirs especially about those our best authors. He is currently a lecture at Akademi Seni Budaya dan Warisan Kebangsaan or National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (ASWARA).
Until then, enjoy his poetry such as two poems that taken from Negeri Kunang-kunang or Country of Firefly* which won the first Writing Contest of Novel, Poetry and Short Story Compilation organized by Institut Terjemahan & Buku Malaysia (ITBM), Persatuan Penulis Nasional Malaysia (PENA) and Berita Harian (BH).
Pengkalan Kubor**
oleh Ridzuan Harun
translated by Nazmi Yaakub
Stand at your land in a slight sprinkle noon
facing the immigration counter
seing tourists flocking
to the row of duty-free shops
then came out smiling
with a handful of bargain buy.
I asked myself at the wall
at your other side, how are you
Takbai and Golok
is rainbow glaring the rays
or is there red spatter still staining
at the sky that had raged the dispute.
Country of Firefly
by Ridzuan Harun
translated by Nazmi Yaakub
Son, I brought you
to the country of firefly
during the day
only a murky river
sluggish flow
you bemoaned
there are no fireflies
even in it's country
I brought you here in a daylight
not to see the fireflies
but to watch
a friendship of flora and fauna
Look at berembang*** trees
grew side by side along the sluggish river
because of its, at the night
fireflies rise
with thousands of blinking lights
without berembang, there's no firefly
Now in here, look
how nature will guide you
about solitude and silentness
unification and solidarity
sharing and consideration
respect and trust
love and humanity
Nature will educate you
and make you understand
the meaningful of preserveration
subsistence and servitude
Tonight, taking you I will
for you to enjoy
thousands of natural's blinking neon
in country of firefly.
* Not yet translate
** A small town on Malaysia-Thailand border and separated by Golok river that easy enough to cross it
*** Sonneratia alba, a kind of mangrove tree
The most short-spoken person in our late night chit-chat was Ridzuan Harun. Ridzuan was so self-contained that Azizi had to jest with him, "Hang dok diam saja. Hang pi baliklah!" (You are so quiet. You go home!). Of course that sounded harsh, not to mention Azizi came that night with Ridzuan. But it was friendly enough for northern people to joke like that. And that joke will be repeating when Ridzuan choose to hold his tongue among us.
Nevertheless, Ridzuan Harun indeed is a quiet poet. His words came to the light in his poetry more than in shape of his voice. Yet when we talk about a poet who have much experience with others prominent authors who had passed away such as Azizi, T Alias Taib and Rahimidin Zahari; Ridzuan is among the best 'literary historian' in our country. Still we have to wait the best of him to come out in term of literary memoirs especially about those our best authors. He is currently a lecture at Akademi Seni Budaya dan Warisan Kebangsaan or National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (ASWARA).
Until then, enjoy his poetry such as two poems that taken from Negeri Kunang-kunang or Country of Firefly* which won the first Writing Contest of Novel, Poetry and Short Story Compilation organized by Institut Terjemahan & Buku Malaysia (ITBM), Persatuan Penulis Nasional Malaysia (PENA) and Berita Harian (BH).
Pengkalan Kubor**
oleh Ridzuan Harun
translated by Nazmi Yaakub
Stand at your land in a slight sprinkle noon
facing the immigration counter
seing tourists flocking
to the row of duty-free shops
then came out smiling
with a handful of bargain buy.
I asked myself at the wall
at your other side, how are you
Takbai and Golok
is rainbow glaring the rays
or is there red spatter still staining
at the sky that had raged the dispute.
Country of Firefly
by Ridzuan Harun
translated by Nazmi Yaakub
Son, I brought you
to the country of firefly
during the day
only a murky river
sluggish flow
you bemoaned
there are no fireflies
even in it's country
I brought you here in a daylight
not to see the fireflies
but to watch
a friendship of flora and fauna
Look at berembang*** trees
grew side by side along the sluggish river
because of its, at the night
fireflies rise
with thousands of blinking lights
without berembang, there's no firefly
Now in here, look
how nature will guide you
about solitude and silentness
unification and solidarity
sharing and consideration
respect and trust
love and humanity
Nature will educate you
and make you understand
the meaningful of preserveration
subsistence and servitude
Tonight, taking you I will
for you to enjoy
thousands of natural's blinking neon
in country of firefly.
* Not yet translate
** A small town on Malaysia-Thailand border and separated by Golok river that easy enough to cross it
*** Sonneratia alba, a kind of mangrove tree
November 4, 2015
Are there too many of book fair in Malaysia?
Are there too many of book fair in our country? We got Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair in April/May; Book Fest by bookstore chains, Popular in July and another one from MPH called Bookervile or Putrajaya International Book Fair early in March and another event at the heart of Malaysian goverment the centre of Malaysia's administration, Putrajaya Islamic International Book Fair in this month and last but not least the howling of Big Bad Wolf in next month (and possibly it howls again sometimes in March). Oh not to forget Kota Buku Bazar every month.
And at the end of this month, there is Ekspo Buku Malaysia or Malaysia Book Expo in Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur. Plus it also will hold National Book Award - that supposably recognizes the best title in various genre which in previous year sparkled controversy and polemic as many awards in Malaysia. Or maybe it is 'world phenomenon' because such prize like Nobel Prize not free from controversial.
But back to the topic - are there too much of book fair in our country? Or is it good for book and reading environment? How about the profit that publishers and bookstores had been collected in previous events?
Many told me about the bad year for book industry and this not in this year - maybe a couple of years ago. And I think the number of titles kept increasing from time to time same as the number of events. It look like the publishers and bookstores always find a way from this supposably bad time for book industry to capture the market and to sell their books or clear their stock.
But how about to book lovers or book readers. Is it good for their reading environment and culture or it will turn them to, not a book zombies, but to tsundoku! Tsundoku as every book readers circle knew - a Japanese word that equivalent guys and girls who kept buying the book but a big chunk of it it had not been reading (I think I guilty of this charge also!).
Maybe we will discuss it at this coming book fair! *wink*
Read: Ekspo Buku Malaysia 25-29 November ini (in Malay)
And at the end of this month, there is Ekspo Buku Malaysia or Malaysia Book Expo in Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur. Plus it also will hold National Book Award - that supposably recognizes the best title in various genre which in previous year sparkled controversy and polemic as many awards in Malaysia. Or maybe it is 'world phenomenon' because such prize like Nobel Prize not free from controversial.
But back to the topic - are there too much of book fair in our country? Or is it good for book and reading environment? How about the profit that publishers and bookstores had been collected in previous events?
Many told me about the bad year for book industry and this not in this year - maybe a couple of years ago. And I think the number of titles kept increasing from time to time same as the number of events. It look like the publishers and bookstores always find a way from this supposably bad time for book industry to capture the market and to sell their books or clear their stock.
But how about to book lovers or book readers. Is it good for their reading environment and culture or it will turn them to, not a book zombies, but to tsundoku! Tsundoku as every book readers circle knew - a Japanese word that equivalent guys and girls who kept buying the book but a big chunk of it it had not been reading (I think I guilty of this charge also!).
Maybe we will discuss it at this coming book fair! *wink*
Read: Ekspo Buku Malaysia 25-29 November ini (in Malay)
November 3, 2015
Tujuh Keturunan: A Transition of myth society to 'modernized' community
Last Saturday, I invited to talk about
Tujuh Keturunan
, a novel by Abd Razak Adam which its title literally translated as Seven Generations. The talk held at Kolej Universiti Islam Melaka (KUIM), Kuala Sungai Baru, Melaka and organized by Ikatan Persuratan Melaka (IPM) or Malacca Literary Association. Among the speakers are a prolific writer who won SEA Write Award in 2011, Syed Mohd Zakir Syed Othman and a poet who also an academic at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Dr Shamsudin Othman.I discussed Tujuh Keturunan from the aspect of transition of Malay rural traditional at pre-independent period to modernized Malay community at FELDA which happen after Merdeka (Independence). FELDA or Federal Land Development Authority is founded by the Malaysia government to constructed resettlement of rural community into agricultural structured settlement.
Interestingly, Tujuh Keturunan separated into two section; firstly, a traditional Malay which held a world-view compressed by a mixture of myth and religion elements and secondly, a more modernized mind of Malay but not exclude the Islamic aspect. It happen when Rahmat, the main character in this novel voluntarily participated with FELDA settlement that relocated him with other to a new land that still a forest.
When in his village, the myths still played a bigger role in term of giving the explanation about phenomenon happen in daily life. There was mysteriously midwife that had foster 'harimau jadian' (something like phantom cum tiger) or a man who had ability turning to a tiger (like werewolf in Western folklore) or a magical health treatment including licking by tiger. Also there was a kuntilanak (woman vampire) who reside at tall and shady tree; puaka (gnome maybe) who dangle at a tree or magical stick (certainly more bigger than Harry Potter and the others wizard's magical wand) which gave invulnerable strength to the owner.
But it not just about myth that occupied Malay rural life. It was also a religious aspect that gave a meaning to Malay world-view even if it not got a bigger explanation from the author. There was a aqiqah scene that blended with Malay syair berendoi among others. Berendoi is a ceremony that hold in conjunction of bercukur or hair cutting and shaving of a newborn's ceremony usually at the 7th day after his/her birth. After the cutting or shaving, the baby placed in endoi or swing with the performing of berendoi chatting.
The second phase in Rahmat life changed to more challenging because he and other settlers must cleared the jungle to pave the way for rubber cultivation. Because the vigorously struggle including under threat of wild elephants and food shortage, the myths that dominated in their former life had been disappeared. Now, it all about giving all the effort to make a life in a new land. The demand of modernization made them to ceased a part of their life but still maintain their religious aspect.
For me, Tujuh Keturunan is a good reading except it still can go further and deeper because there is so many thing the author could elaborate either in Malay rural traditional life or an early struggle of FELDA settlement.
October 30, 2015
Jasni won SEA Write Award
Sabah-born writer, Jasni Matlani has been named as the recipient for the Malaysian's SEA Write Award. SEA Write Award has been given by Thailand annually since 1979 with each of the ASEAN country name their recipient respectively.
Matlani write in various genres in literature from poetry to short story and essay while actively involve in literary activism. He also the President of Badan Bahasa dan Sastera Sabah (BAHASA). This year is a remarkable year for Matlani because he just won ITBM-PENA-BH's writing competition when both his short stories compilation and anthology of poetry swept for third place.
Matlani write in various genres in literature from poetry to short story and essay while actively involve in literary activism. He also the President of Badan Bahasa dan Sastera Sabah (BAHASA). This year is a remarkable year for Matlani because he just won ITBM-PENA-BH's writing competition when both his short stories compilation and anthology of poetry swept for third place.
October 28, 2015
A new polemic on language and education in Malaysia
There is round table closed meeting organized at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) which participated by various key figures, writers and activists to discuss about dual language programme (DLP) dan high immersive programme (HIP). Those two initiatives especially DLP suspected as strategic move to re-implement the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English (PPSMI). The implementation of PPSMI had been hotly debated among various group and opposed by many people including academics, writers and cultural activists. The PPSMI then scrapped in 2009 and replaced by Upholding Malay Language, Strengthening English (MBMMBI) policy.
Read, Pertemuan Meja Bulat Isu Sistem Dwibahasa Pendidikan Negara bermula (in Malay language).
Read, Pertemuan Meja Bulat Isu Sistem Dwibahasa Pendidikan Negara bermula (in Malay language).
The vision of poet
There is a hadith which said 'for the vision of a Muslim is the forty-fifth part of Prophecy.' Without our conscious, Rahimidin Zahari had left his vision time after time. Yet we never saw its except just like an ordinary poetry.
Poetry Gala
by Rahimidin Zahari
translated by Nazmi Yaakub
people seem to be drunk and possessed
mounted to the dais to recite poem by poem -
rolling on the main stage, scattering
words, sparing not of the words
true or false, they continued partying
bonfires were lit - they forgot night
had turned into day; day also
had turned back to night
when the poetry gala lasted several days,
some nights; I was asleep a few days
some nights, without wake.
Poetry Gala
by Rahimidin Zahari
translated by Nazmi Yaakub
people seem to be drunk and possessed
mounted to the dais to recite poem by poem -
rolling on the main stage, scattering
words, sparing not of the words
true or false, they continued partying
bonfires were lit - they forgot night
had turned into day; day also
had turned back to night
when the poetry gala lasted several days,
some nights; I was asleep a few days
some nights, without wake.
October 27, 2015
Poem for and by Rahimidin Zahari
Noktah Itu (That Dot) by Rosli K Matari for me like a lighthouse on an island that its bright light make us forget how beutiful of its panorama. Hanya Langit Meratap (Only Sky Grief*) like that island.
That Dot had been written by Rosli not just as a brilliant poet, but also he was a teacher to Rahimidin Zahari. It was their story begun from the early age; Rosli as a young teacher and Rahimidin as a student. They bound together to be closed friend ever until Rahimidin died on Thursday afternoon, May 14th this year after suffered a severe stroke. Because of that, That Dot has a soul of history, friendship and brotherhood which to some extend would not happen to other poets as far as Malay literary concern.
Certainly, I could not translated this poem as good as the original one not just because the limit of my language and ability, but because that friendship and brotherhood which bound those two poets of par excellence. But it not hurt to try to translate both poems from Rosli and Rahimidin.
And the second poem is taken from Rahimidin last book, Sehelai Daun Kenangan (A Piece of Memory Leaf*). This title will be at a special place forever, insya-Allah.
That Dot
(Remembering Allahyarham Rahimidin Zahari)
by Rosli K Matari
translated by Nazmi Yaakub
1
I recall you
who came with letters
incomplete to spell
frangipani.
2
Still you were ready
with a dot
at the tip of leaf,
because the leaves shall shed.
In ink there is letters
in letters there is a soul
in soul, the pool is calm
sky, as well as waves.
Don't confuse ink
to the clouds, I said
because love of the sky
is white, blue.
Sadly red, yellow
but its soul
has others
gray, black.
You chose dawn, but I teached
you to stare at horizon,
there is another meaning
why sun has to set.
You must know
why there aren't different
light and life,
dot with a shadow.
3
Now, between dusk
frangipani and your gravestone,
I recall you
in my tears.
Among horizon
and your tombstone,
it is not easy for me to imagine
a drop of dot.
Tok Canggah Cemetery,
Peringat
A Piece of Memory Leaf
by Rahimidin Zahari
translated by Nazmi Yaakub
trees leap
looking for spring
at the edge of village
but the village had long
burnt - no
spring from bowels of the earth
villagers became invisible
disappeared behind a wave of cloud -
leaving only a name and
shadow also a piece
of memory leaf.
October 2014
*not translated
That Dot had been written by Rosli not just as a brilliant poet, but also he was a teacher to Rahimidin Zahari. It was their story begun from the early age; Rosli as a young teacher and Rahimidin as a student. They bound together to be closed friend ever until Rahimidin died on Thursday afternoon, May 14th this year after suffered a severe stroke. Because of that, That Dot has a soul of history, friendship and brotherhood which to some extend would not happen to other poets as far as Malay literary concern.
Certainly, I could not translated this poem as good as the original one not just because the limit of my language and ability, but because that friendship and brotherhood which bound those two poets of par excellence. But it not hurt to try to translate both poems from Rosli and Rahimidin.
And the second poem is taken from Rahimidin last book, Sehelai Daun Kenangan (A Piece of Memory Leaf*). This title will be at a special place forever, insya-Allah.
That Dot
(Remembering Allahyarham Rahimidin Zahari)
by Rosli K Matari
translated by Nazmi Yaakub
1
I recall you
who came with letters
incomplete to spell
frangipani.
2
Still you were ready
with a dot
at the tip of leaf,
because the leaves shall shed.
In ink there is letters
in letters there is a soul
in soul, the pool is calm
sky, as well as waves.
Don't confuse ink
to the clouds, I said
because love of the sky
is white, blue.
Sadly red, yellow
but its soul
has others
gray, black.
You chose dawn, but I teached
you to stare at horizon,
there is another meaning
why sun has to set.
You must know
why there aren't different
light and life,
dot with a shadow.
3
Now, between dusk
frangipani and your gravestone,
I recall you
in my tears.
Among horizon
and your tombstone,
it is not easy for me to imagine
a drop of dot.
Tok Canggah Cemetery,
Peringat
A Piece of Memory Leaf
by Rahimidin Zahari
translated by Nazmi Yaakub
trees leap
looking for spring
at the edge of village
but the village had long
burnt - no
spring from bowels of the earth
villagers became invisible
disappeared behind a wave of cloud -
leaving only a name and
shadow also a piece
of memory leaf.
October 2014
*not translated
4,600 manuscripts have not been studied
There are a total of 4,600 manuscripts written in Jawi in various disciplines which in the collection of the Malaysia National Library (PNM) have not been studied until today.
Director General of the National Library, Nafisa Ahmad, said the collection of manuscript was gathered over 30 years ago, when National Centre for Malay Manuscripts established in 1985.
Read about it in '4,600 manuskrip tulisan jawi belum dikaji' (link in Malay language). Until today, Malaysia has only a handfull of researcher in manuscript field and the number seem is not going to increase right now.
Today, PNM organized Discourse of Sulalatus Salatin in their headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. Sulalatus Salatin or Malay Annals give a romanticised account about the evolution of Kesultanan Melayu Malaka or Malaka empire from the beginning to it's downfall. UNESCO listed it as Memory of the World Programme International Register in 2001.
Director General of the National Library, Nafisa Ahmad, said the collection of manuscript was gathered over 30 years ago, when National Centre for Malay Manuscripts established in 1985.
Read about it in '4,600 manuskrip tulisan jawi belum dikaji' (link in Malay language). Until today, Malaysia has only a handfull of researcher in manuscript field and the number seem is not going to increase right now.
Today, PNM organized Discourse of Sulalatus Salatin in their headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. Sulalatus Salatin or Malay Annals give a romanticised account about the evolution of Kesultanan Melayu Malaka or Malaka empire from the beginning to it's downfall. UNESCO listed it as Memory of the World Programme International Register in 2001.
October 26, 2015
Announcement of Thailand SEA Write Award
As always, The Thai SEA Write Award had been announced early than other country including Malaysia. Veeraporn Nitiprapha won the prestigious literary award via A Blind Earthworm In a Labyrinth. Bangkok Post mentioned she as an unknown author and first-time published writer.
It also said that all the seven SEA Write judges committee unanimously chose the book because of its unique, evocative, and powerful prose which is encapsulated and well told by imaginative narrative plots that can deeply touch human hearts.
Malaysia will announce their candidate this Friday after the selection made by secrecy manner as always. Last year, the award sparked an uproar among the writer community. Hope now we learn from any mistake and give it based on merit.
It also said that all the seven SEA Write judges committee unanimously chose the book because of its unique, evocative, and powerful prose which is encapsulated and well told by imaginative narrative plots that can deeply touch human hearts.
Malaysia will announce their candidate this Friday after the selection made by secrecy manner as always. Last year, the award sparked an uproar among the writer community. Hope now we learn from any mistake and give it based on merit.
The polemic of National Laureate
Recently, Datuk Zurinah Hassan has been named as the recipient for the 13th National Laureate Award which will carry the title of Sasterawan Negara (SN). She is the first ever female author who recieve such award since it introduced in 1981.
The announcement was made by Education Minister, Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid who also said the selection was based on her outstanding contributions to the development of literature in the country through creative work, thinking and high quality literary activities.
Zurinah had produced a numerous writing especially in poetry collections which some of them had been translated into English such as Facing the Harbour (Menghadap ke Pelabuhan).
Since the announcement, we at Berita Harian (BH) ran a serie of polemics begining with a writer from young generation, Wan Nor Azriq, who wrote 'Hebat sangatkah menjadi sasterawan negara?' (Are national laureate is so great?) and received response by SEA Write Award winner, Rahman Shaari with the title Hanya pengkarya hebat jadi SN (Only great author will be a SN).
But far from over, this polemics still in initial phase.
List of Malaysian National Laureate
1981: Kamaludin Mohamad (Keris Mas)
1982: Shahnon Ahmad
1983: Usman Awang
1985: A Samad Said
1987: Arena Wati
1991: Muhammad Haji Salleh
1993: Noordin Hassan
1996: Abdullah Hussain
2003: S Othman Kelantan
2009: Anwar Ridhwan
2010: Ahmad Kamal Abdullah (Kamala)
2013: Baharuddin Zainal (Baha Zain)
The announcement was made by Education Minister, Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid who also said the selection was based on her outstanding contributions to the development of literature in the country through creative work, thinking and high quality literary activities.
Zurinah had produced a numerous writing especially in poetry collections which some of them had been translated into English such as Facing the Harbour (Menghadap ke Pelabuhan).
Since the announcement, we at Berita Harian (BH) ran a serie of polemics begining with a writer from young generation, Wan Nor Azriq, who wrote 'Hebat sangatkah menjadi sasterawan negara?' (Are national laureate is so great?) and received response by SEA Write Award winner, Rahman Shaari with the title Hanya pengkarya hebat jadi SN (Only great author will be a SN).
But far from over, this polemics still in initial phase.
List of Malaysian National Laureate
1981: Kamaludin Mohamad (Keris Mas)
1982: Shahnon Ahmad
1983: Usman Awang
1985: A Samad Said
1987: Arena Wati
1991: Muhammad Haji Salleh
1993: Noordin Hassan
1996: Abdullah Hussain
2003: S Othman Kelantan
2009: Anwar Ridhwan
2010: Ahmad Kamal Abdullah (Kamala)
2013: Baharuddin Zainal (Baha Zain)
