MATTER OF ART
These proponents of art work to ensure the realm is protected and continues on
DATUK FARIDAH MERICAN Founder, director and producer, The Actors Studio and klpac
Datuk Faridah Merican is a Malaysian institution who has been instrumental in elevating the performing arts in the country. Fondly referred to as the first lady of Malaysian theatre, Faridah has been actively involved in the theatrical scene for more than 60 years as an actor, director, producer, teacher and ardent champion.
Faridah discovered her interest in theatre at school. While she assumed several different roles early in her career as a primaryschool teacher of physical education, newsreader and radio talk-show host, TV newscaster and advertising executive, theatre remained her fascination. She is one of the pioneers in the local theatre scene, acting in some of the earliest theatre productions in the country.
Her passion for performing arts led her and fellow thespian husband Joe Hasham to establish The Actors Studio and the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac). These
privately owned spaces not only enabled the duo to promote theatre through countless productions, but allows for promising thespians to flourish. Faridah is a respected mentor, credited for giving many local performing artists, playwrights and directors their big break.
DATUK RAMLI IBRAHIM Founder, Sutra Dance Theatre
Datuk Ramli Ibrahim is one of the most accomplished Indian classical dancers and choreographers globally, in both classical and modern styles. A trailblazer who defied the odds by developing a successful dance career, he has elevated Indian classical dance locally.
Although interested in dance since young, Ramli only took up the art form seriously while studying mechanical engineering at the University of Western Australia. He began by studying ballet and modern dance before delving into Indian classical dance. He
later specialised in Odissi under the tutelage of Deba Prasad Das in India.
Upon returning to Malaysia, Ramli founded the Sutra Dance Theatre, bringing recognition to Indian classical dance, especially Odissi. He has also taught generations of dancers and choreographers, and has been an outspoken champion of the arts in general, leading him to establish the Sutra Foundation. Besides nurturing new talents, Ramli is a passionate advocate of fully embracing Malaysia’s unique crosscultural identity to create its own unique voice in the international arts scene.
While renowned as an Indian classical dancer, he is also accomplished in ballet and modern dance. He is acknowledged as an example of Living Heritage by the Malaysian government, and was awarded one of the highest civilian honours in India—the Padma Shri award—in recognition of his contribution to the arts.
ALENA MURANG Musician
Alena Murang is a singersongwriter, sape player, and visual artist who is deeply passionate about preserving the Kelabit and Kenyah languages of the Dayak people in Borneo. She established herself as one of the first women to play and teach the sape, a lute-like instrument that’s traditionally played by men.
The Kuching-born musician and artist of Kelabit and Italian-english descent started playing the sape at the age of 10, and made her official debut as an artiste in 2016. Since then, she has released numerous singles and albums. She has performed at numerous international conferences and showcases around the world like South by Southwest, Paris Fashion Week, and Rudolstadt Festival.
Her music video for Warrior Spirit won the Best Asia & Pacific Music Video. It also received an honourable mention for Best Costume at UK’S International Music Video Awards 2021 and was an official selection at the New York International Film Awards, as well as a semifinalist for Best Film at the 2021 LA Film Awards.
Apart from singing and performing, she also conducts dance, singing, storytelling and sape workshops. She also started Kanid Studio, an organisation that works on projects centring around indigenous heritage and Sarawakian stories, with the aim of making it more mainstream.