I just read an article at Sun2Surf on how national laureate, A. Samad Said feels about the decline of Malaysian literature. Among the things he talked about was on how books by national laureates will not be used in school by 2 years time. The reason for this is said to be because the education ministry thinks the books are "too hard" to understand. What the hell? They're literary books. They're not supposed to be simple. They're supposed to ignite curiosity and wonder. They're supposed to be hard in order to stimulate young minds. To think. To use imagination. If you give just simple mundane books, than were looking at the future of the nation who lack imagination and simple minded. A wide shot, but still.. things to consider don't you think? Given, i am not that much of an avid reader in my youth. Fortunately i grew out of that and now enjoy a good book now and again. But what about the next generation? Far for me to think that they'd follow the same path i did.
After reading the article, i kinda feel sorry for A.Samad Said. He worked all his life to make Malay Lit world known, but alas fail due to bureaucracy. When he said he'd "given up" on hoping for a change in malay literature, you kinda wished you'd read more in your youth.
Alas i hope all not is lost. They maybe a saving grace for malay literature and national laureates. As corny as it maybe, movies might save malay literature. Think about it, most of the known literature at some point or another has been made into movies. The Iliad, Jane Eyre, Dracula or even Lord Of The Rings for example. So rather than pushing pop culture-star ridden-rubbish dramadies and the such (search keyword:Prof A Razak Mohaideen), why not make movies on books, novels or poems by national laureates. Think about, you'd save a ton of time and the story would actually have MEANING!!! Plus you'd help the save the almost dead malay literature.
Come on man.. save malay literature! Read a (malay lit) book today!!
p/s: Case of irony though, talking about malay literature, but im saying it in english.
p/p/s: coincidently, the KL Book Fest is around the corner, and the Persatuan Pengiat Komik Malaysia (PeKOMIK) is promoting reading in an attempt (hopefully) to create the Longest Comic. The theme of the comic is.. wait for it... READING!
After reading the article, i kinda feel sorry for A.Samad Said. He worked all his life to make Malay Lit world known, but alas fail due to bureaucracy. When he said he'd "given up" on hoping for a change in malay literature, you kinda wished you'd read more in your youth.
Alas i hope all not is lost. They maybe a saving grace for malay literature and national laureates. As corny as it maybe, movies might save malay literature. Think about it, most of the known literature at some point or another has been made into movies. The Iliad, Jane Eyre, Dracula or even Lord Of The Rings for example. So rather than pushing pop culture-star ridden-rubbish dramadies and the such (search keyword:Prof A Razak Mohaideen), why not make movies on books, novels or poems by national laureates. Think about, you'd save a ton of time and the story would actually have MEANING!!! Plus you'd help the save the almost dead malay literature.
Come on man.. save malay literature! Read a (malay lit) book today!!
p/s: Case of irony though, talking about malay literature, but im saying it in english.
p/p/s: coincidently, the KL Book Fest is around the corner, and the Persatuan Pengiat Komik Malaysia (PeKOMIK) is promoting reading in an attempt (hopefully) to create the Longest Comic. The theme of the comic is.. wait for it... READING!
1 comment:
I think Malay literature could only be saved if modern Malays stop being so afraid of fantasy. Lately writing anything with elements of "hantu", fantasy or the supernatural is considered wrong, and people are forgetting that that's our root. We need to revive all the hikayats in all their supernatural, fantastic glory! :D
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