SeaDemon Says

My serunai is finally ready. It was crafted by Pak Ibrahim (Mr Ibrahim Senik), who is a serunai player/instructor, and instructs at the National Arts Academy/Akademi Seni Kebangsaan.

Pak Ibrahim is one of the people who will fade away if no serious step is taken to preserve traditional arts. So I, being a fan of the traditional malay art of Wayang Kulit (or Shadow Play), am now learning the art of the serunai. I have also begun to learn the art of Wayang Kulit Siam itself as a puppeteer, under the auspices of Pak Nasir, a UN-recognised Tok Dalang, or Master Puppeteer, who also instructs at the Academy. I have performed with them at Batu Arang where I played the canang, or mini-gongs, that has the role of a “tempo-keeper.” Traditionally, Wayang Kulit Siam is inherently Kelantanese. Its Kedah counterpart is the Wayang Kulit Gedek (another dying art) of where its two main characters, Ai-Tong and Ai-Keng are famous. Wayang Kulit Gedek is now only being performed by the Wayang Kulit Sri Asun troupe under the auspices of Mohamad Noh bin Hj Mahmud (a.k.a Pak Noh).

So what is a serunai?

The serunai is a reed wind instrument. The instrument is hand-carved, and is usually highly ornamented with intricate detailing and painting. Much like western reed instruments, the serunai is made in varying lengths which affect its register. In western musical terminology, these might be called “soprano,” “tenor,” or “alto.” In Malay, the instrument is referred to as anak (i.e. small or child), or ibu (i.e. large or parent). The design of the serunai reed is similar to that used in the bassoon or English horn. The serunai is played using a technique known a “circle breathing” or “cycle breathing.” In this technique air is drawn in through the nose as it is simultaneously blown through the instrument. The resulting sound is constant note or drone.

And I am neither a Kelantanese, nor a Kedahan.

I know how the fishermen feel…my friends and I were held for ransom by uniformed “pirates” on July 2nd, 2002, off Port Dickson for four hours.

November 14, 2005 16:14 PM

Detention Of Four Fishermen Referred To Wisma Putra

SEREMBAN, Nov 14 (Bernama) — The Marine Police have informed Wisma Putra concerning the detention of four Malaysian fishermen in waters off Port Dickson by the Indonesian Navy to find ways of getting their release as soon as possible.

Southern Region Marine Police Chief ACP Isa Munir said the victims’ families had informed the marine police on Saturday night after the four fishermen were detained by the Indonesian authorities.

“What is certain is that the fishermen were catching fish in international waters. So far, we have not received any information about their situation there. As of yesterday, they were detained in their boat at Pelabuhan Dumai,” he said when contacted by Bernama, here Monday.

He said any follow-up action would be carried out through diplomatic channels between the two governments while the marine police would assist if asked to do so.

On Saturday, four fishermen based in Port Dickson were detained together with their boat at about 5.30 pm while they were returning home after catching fish in the Melaka Strait.

Meanwhile, Port Dickson Fishermen Association chairman Abu Bakar Che Mat said the four fishermen were tekong (skipper) Azim Pit, 50, and three crew members Rahim Buyong, 40, Buda Daud, 35 and another known as Ali Boyan, 60.

He said that according to friends of the detained fishermen, the Indonesian authorities had claimed that the four men were catching fish in Indonesian waters.

He also said that the matter had been brought up to the attention of Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan so that efforts could be made to bring them back to Malaysia.

— BERNAMA