THE NAMELESS
A Letter to Malaysians: Times of Desperation
Who am I? Am I Malay? Am I Chinese, Indian, Eurasian first? Or am I Malaysian first? We have continued to struggle with an identity crisis that questions our choice between our race, faith and national interests. More than 60 years, the shadow of our colonial masters still persists, a nation that is governed along ethnic lines. Those who are in power spread racial sentiments to prolong their reign. At the end of the day, it’s the people who are easily manipulated suffer the wrath of our irresponsible leaders. The golden years of Malaysia when we were once united have faded away as we now lived parallel lives within our ethnic community.
As we struggle to understand our sense of belonging to our beloved nation in these confusing times, We look upon the arts for an answer. In the arts, we speak a language everyone can understand regardless of language, race and religion. We are free to be critical of the state of our society and educate the public about the reality we are facing.
PERFORMING ARTS AS A CRITICAL RESPONSE TO SOCIETY
Datuk Ramli Ibrahim, Bharatanatyam Dancer
Despite being of non-Indian descent, Datuk Ramli Ibrahim is regarded as a national icon of Indian classical dance, he strongly believes that dance transcends racial boundaries. He founded the Sutra Foundation where he continued to mentor January Low, also a dance artist of Chinese descent. He was subject to cultural conservatism when his talk with a local university was banned due to being regarded as un-Islamic.
Lee Ren Xin, Whose Neighborhood project
Part of the Five Arts Center, an art collective that focuses on forging Malaysian identity via the arts, and engages consistenty with contemporary and socio-political issues.
Lee Ren Xin brought the art of dance into a low-cost housing neigbourhood, it breaks the norm that that performing arts is reserved for the elites.
Via dancing, she interact and sparked conversations with local residents, improving social cohesion.
