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It’s been 13 years of the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards and the gatekeeper — Kakiseni — is taking it beyond the awards show, into schools and universities around the country.

After the main awards show on April 24 (and the Junior Cammies on April 11), Kakiseni will do a nationwide series of workshops at selected educational institutions. The subject of the workshops will be three major traditional art forms — mak yong, bangsawan and wayang kulit.

“This year it’s not just about celebration, but action,” said Kakiseni president Low Ngai Yuen. She was resplendent in a batik-themed dress at the 13th BOH Cameronian Arts Awards Nominees Party at Alexis Bistro, The Gardens Mall, Mid Valley, last week.

This year’s 13th BOH Cameronian Arts Awards, organised by Kakiseni, embodies the theme of “Yesterday for Tomorrow”, symbo-lising a return to simpler, less complicated times, when the arts were home-grown and they emphasised human storytelling, reminding us what’s truly important (the human connection, the human journey together), and why something matters, paying homage to the past and also blending it with contemporary times to reach wider audiences.

The series of workshops planned after the awards show is a testament to Kakiseni’s commitment to taking the theme farther and doing something beneficial with it. The workshops will be in collaboration with experts in each respective disciplines. For mak yong, there will be Rosnan Rahman; Zakaria Ariffin for bangsawan; and Eddin Khoo for wayang kulit. There will be one workshop per week at a different school or college with Low hoping the programme to go to each state.

“We want to make these art forms more relevant to the new generation,” said Low. “We want to expose young people to mak yong, bangsawan and wayang kulit, to encourage them to play with it and enjoy themselves while exploring. The end result could be a school band playing alongside a mak yong performance or wayang kulit — we just want to see young people discussing and perhaps embracing culture and tradition. We want to make culture, mainstream once again. At the same time, we don’t want to shove it to them, but more of showing them what it actually is.”

It’s a noble endeavour — one borne out of necessity. Aside from pushing culture as part of students’ co-curriculum, there is very little hope to include the arts as part of the main syllabus.

“Every time I knocked on doors, be it with the Ministry of Education or other agencies, the answer has always been a No,” said Low. “But you have to understand it from their point of view as well. The current education syllabus is so big, and teachers, the ministries and departments have to teach so many things to the youth.”

Today’s teachers, especially, are burdened with so much workload that it is perhaps unwise to add more on their plates. This is why Low sees the workshops as an initiative that Kakiseni and others can undertake to help bring culture and the arts to the youngsters. Kakiseni is working with various government departments and private sponsors to make this a reality.

A question was raised on why the three art forms are distinctly Malay.

“I see these as Malaysian art forms,” said Low. “The roots are in Malay culture, but they are distinctly Malaysian. In today’s context, everything is made out to be so segmented and racist, but we can leave that out when it comes to culture, arts and tradition.”

Such brave and noble words, but would Low herself accept that such changes to society could take 50 to 100 years in order to take root?

“I hope it’s sooner than that,” she said, with a smile.

The Nominees Party saw the announcement of names vying for the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards in 48 categories — the same number as last year. The theme of “Yesterday for Tomorrow” will be interpreted by Ida Nerina who will direct the show at Restoran D’Saji at Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur, this April.

“The magic touch of Ida will result in a fantastic show,” said Low. She admitted that choosing bangsawan, mak yong and wayang kulit as the main interpretation of “Yesterday for Tomorrow” means a more subdued BOH Cameronian Arts Awards compared to last year’s “80s chic”, for instance.

“It’s a different kind of glitz and glam, and I believe when Ida is done with it, you will see a fabulous show.”

During the press conference, BOH Plantations Sdn Bhd head of marketing and export, Chen Chaw Chang, together with Low, unveiled the limited edition BOH tea canisters which pay tribute to bangsawan, wayang kulit and mak yong art forms.

“BOH is honoured to be part of the 13th edition of the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards. What an interesting and enjoyable journey it has been for us, as we lent our support to Kakiseni to recognise and nurture performing artistes in Malaysia,” said BOH Plantations CEO Caroline Russell in a post-release.

“This year, we are pleased that the awards pay fitting tribute to the bangsawan, wayang kulit and mak yong performing arts. This recognition reiterates the rich cultural heritage they add to our local performing arts. Having held together much of the social fabric of traditional society in the past, it’s important that we acknowledge these art forms. In their honour, BOH has released a limited edition BOH Cameronian Gold Blend packaging.

“We congratulate the nominees of the 13th BOH Cameronian Arts Awards. We urge them to continue to nurture their passion for the performing arts and to share it with future generations.”

For the full list of the nominees for the 
48 categories honoured in the 13th 
BOH Cameronian Arts Awards, please visit awards.kakiseni.com.

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Theatre enthusiasts are drawn to theatrical productions for varied reasons, ranging from script, choreography, cast to musical score.

While actors, directors and choreographers often steal the spotlight, there are many unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes.

These individuals include set designers, lighting designers, make-up artists and sound directors who painstakingly make everything work like clockwork.

Without these key players’ dedication and hard work, our experience of the performing arts wouldn’t be as impressive or enjoyable.

In recognition of their outstanding efforts, online arts portal kakiseni.com and Boh Plantations feted the recipients of the 13th Boh Cameronian Arts Awards (BCAA) Technical Awards and Junior Cammies. At the event, held in Kuala Lumpur last week , 20 winners received awards in categories including light, set, sound and costume, styling and make-up for dance, musical theatre and theatre.

Recipients of the 13th BCAA Technical Awards and Junior Cammies received an award and RM1,000. The main Cameronian Arts Awards ceremony takes centrestage on April 24 in Kuala Lumpur.

For the Technical Awards and Junior Cammies, it was a memorable event especially for first time winners Zen Tan – recipient of Best Set Design award for The Dawns Here Are Quiet under the theatre category and Clarence Chua, who won Best Sound Design for indicinelive! The Revival Show 2015 (for theatre).

Another first-time winner Priyangka Satsitananda, smiled gleefully after clinching the award for Best Costume Design, Styling & Make-Up for Sand The Musical (musical theatre category).

“I am really surprised as this is my first involvement in a musical play. Prior to this, I have helped out in charity shows. Winning the award feels great,” she said.

Introduced last year, the Junior Cammies seeks to reward the best musical theatre staged at local secondary schools. Last year, it also included theatre productions to provide a bigger impetus for students to stage plays.

For this year’s Junior Cammies, Brendan Tang clinched Best Principal Role (theatre category), for his performance in The Ketchup Bottle in Sri Emas International School’s Student Directed Festival Season One. Reuben Chow and Shahrizuan Shaharuddin won for Best Production Design (theatre category), for their work in Fugue in another Sri Emas production (Student Directed Festival Season Two). Cempaka Cheras School student Charmaine Koh Sher Min walked away with Best Principal Role (musical theatre) for her role in Annie, The Musical.

Currently, Kakiseni and Boh are expanding access of the arts in schools by involving artists in training. Kakiseni president Low Ngai Yuen said children who are exposed to arts programmes are more confident, well spoken and have a stronger civic mind.

“The arts is crucial to ensure a well-rounded journey in education. It is not about turning more students into artists. Rather we are looking at the versatility of a child to communicate, build lateral skills, lead and be excellent in future quests,” said Low, who is working with the Education Ministry to champion the 2016 National English Drama competition, taking place in August.

The National English Drama Competition is an ongoing competition initiated by the Education Ministry to improve English fluency in schools and encourage students’ participation in the performing arts.

For the list of of winners, go to kakiseni.com.

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