Shakespeare Wallah...

We were given an opportunity to watch Shakespeare Wallah. Wallah? What does it mean? Well, wallah means ‘the one who is’ and according to the producer Ismail Merchant, he defines wallah as ‘traders’. The film is based on a true story about the Kendall’s family who performed Shakespeare’s play in India. In this film, they played as ‘The Buckingham Players’. I was inspired to watch the film because the main actor is Shashi Kapoor (plays the role of Sanju)! I’m a big fan of him and never missed watching all his Hindustan movies and for the first time, I watch him acting in an English film.

Actually, I don’t really understand the story in the earlier stage. Later, I slowly comprehend the plot of the story (but not all...so sad). The Buckingham’s was performing Shakespeare all over India during the colonist era. The Indians especially the educated were supporting the play but they lose their attention on the play when a famous Bollywood’s actress, Manjula (Madhur) appeared in the middle of the play. Both parties didn’t respect the play, it made Mr. Buckingham became mad, and he stopped the play for a moment. He then asked the audience to be silent and continue their performing. In other incidents, the young men teased the beautiful Lizzie (Felicity Kendall) who is Sanju’s girlfriend. He can’t accept it and had a fight with them. He loves her so much...

I think the English players were sincere in performing the play but the audience should be educate how to watch play. They show no respect and it shouldn’t happen when we are watching a play. Manjula should be professional as a famous actress. Although she admires Sanju, she must accept the fact that they are cousin and he is in love with Lizzie. Lastly, Lizzie was sent back home and their love was not a successful…. :(

Traditional Dance

Negeri Sembilan is the only state in Malaysia practices Adat Perpatih - the traditional custom inherited from Minangkabau, Indonesia. It includes all aspects of life; marriage, the traditional dance, the properties etc. As the new generation of Adat Perpatih, I admit that I’m not practicing all the custom especially the traditional dance such as Endang and Tari Piring.

Both are different in movement and music. During my school days, I had the opportunity to watch the Endang dance. It was perform on the Teachers’ Day when I was twelve. The dance involves the body and hands movements and the dancers need to sit on the floor. The movements become faster when it comes to the end, so does the music. Its tempo grows faster. It was an enjoyable performance by the teachers.


Tari Piring is difficult from Endang because it involves the whole body movements. The dancers have to hold two saucers on their palms and dance. It usually performed on the wedding occasion in front of the bride and bridegroom when they sit next to each other. The dancers for this occasion are males. The musical instruments used are Rebana and Gong. The sound from the Gong is important it leads the dancers’ steps. Nowadays, the dance is no longer performed on wedding occasion and it has been replaced by the silat show.

Something needs to be done in order to make the traditional dances still exist even though we live in the new era. In addition, the state government could instruct all schools in Negeri Sembilan to have a 'Traditional Dance Club' so that the new generation could learn and retain it from become extinct.

God’s Desire…

I read some review about Tiresias, a blind prophet who appears in Antigone. It creates my curiosity why Sophocles created this character. Tiresias has transformed into a woman and later turned back into a man. I then realized it is God’s wish and has the power to do anything He wanted to. Although Tiresias was blind, Zeus gave him the gift of prophecy as compensation. He can predict what will happen and in Antigone, his prediction has come true. He warns Creon that the Gods side with Antigone and tells the king he will lose one child for the crimes of leaving Polyneices unburied and putting Antigone to death.

The role of prophet in human’s life is important because as the messenger of the God, he will lead and guides the human being to live in harmony. Besides that, the prophet should be as a reference to human in order not to break the God’s rules.

In Antigone, Creon never refer to Tiresias of his action especially towards Polyneices burial and the punishment on Antigone, therefore, he breaks Zeus’s law. In addition, Creon becomes selfish and thinks he has the power to give such orders. In return, he is not only losing his son but also his wife who committed suicide.

The phrases “what you give, you get back” are the common words I always bear in my mind. I believe no matter what l did whether right or wrong will get proper in return from the God. In Antigone, Creon gets the proper penalty of his wrong decisions and causes the death of his family…:(