Trio embracing unconventional profession of clowning
LUMUT: Unfazed by any sense of self-consciousness, a fearless couple has wholeheartedly embraced the unconventional profession of clowning, enthralling the community with magic tricks and selling balloons for the past nine years.
The journey of Muhammad AlHazim Ahmad, 32, his wife, Nor Farah Hanim Samsol Bahrin, 30, and her sister, Nor Aina Natasya Samsol Bahrin, 27, goes beyond just donning clown costumes
– they have honed their skills in magic tricks and delved into the art of embodying clown characters.
Muhammad Al-Hazim, affectionately known as ‘Jiji’, said it took him about two years to master specific skills, including clown vocalisation and magic tricks, to give their career a unique touch of professionalism.
“Not everyone can transform their voice into that of a clown; sometimes, even years of training would not yield results because everyone has their limitations,” he said during a recent interview with Bernama.
Hailing from Sitiawan, he pointed out that the investment in clown accessories and costumes was significant, and yet, driven by passion and a dedication to excellence, their monthly income, ranging from RM1,500 to RM3,000, proves ample for supporting their family.
“A clown nose alone would cost from RM120 to RM150, depending on the type. As for clown shoes, they can reach up to RM3,000, depending on the type and country of production,” said Muhammad Al-Hazim, an electrical and electronic engineering diploma holder.
The father of a seven-year-old daughter also highlighted that a career as a clown came with certain taboos that must be observed to preserve the profession’s image.
“Among them, do not squeeze the nose and do not step on clown shoes, as both are part of the clown’s identity. We should not be belittled by the audience as well because some children see us as heroes,” he added, emphasising that they never took the societal stigma attached to their profession lightly.
Muhammad Al-Hazim acknowledged that there was a segment of society that regarded the profession with a stigma. However, he was confident that it never posed an issue as long as the income was earned through lawful means.
He firmly believed that sustenance did not come without effort, and the doors of sustenance would always be open as long as it did not prohibited by law or religion.
“If someone criticises our profession, we’ll just smile without reacting because we have to believe in our blessings. As long as we have passion, the job is ‘halal’ (permitted and not against the law), and we’re not seeking charity. So I don’t have a problem continuing this career,” he said.
According to Nor Farah Hanim, clowns portray various characters but among the popular ones in Malaysia are the ‘Full Face’, ‘Auguste’ and ‘Hobo’.
Fondly known as ‘Rara’, she said they would often opt for Auguste – regarded as appearing more cheerful and approachable, especially for children, than the other characters. We frequently dress up as the Auguste character because it’s easier to engage the audience. Sometimes, we also wear different outfits such as uniforms, based on the customer’s preferences,” she added.
Nor Farah Hanim also said they would spend a significant amount of time learning the art of clowning through Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.
According to her, currently they are active mainly at Aeon shopping centres around Perak selling balloons during the weekends, while Muhammad Al-Hazim goes solo on weekdays, responding to invitations from schools or event organisers.
Reflecting on how clowning had become their career, Nor Farah Hanim said it all began when she and her husband sold balloons for an education consulting company in 2015.
“Back then, selling balloons seemed like a lucrative venture. We decided to quit our jobs and focus solely on selling balloons.
“Initially, we sold them in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, then moved to the night market in Manjung,” she recalled.
“Coincidentally, the Aeon Manjung manager noticed our work at the night market and offered us the opportunity to set up at the department store
– a partnership that continues to this day. From there, we started learning the ropes of becoming authentic clowns,” she added.