EARTH GODDESS
With eyes wide shut, 40-year-old actress Maya Karin dresses in red, striking awareness in her ‘River of Life’ campaign video, floating in a stream of garbage.
MOTHER
My relationship with Mother Nature started at a young age where my family and I would spend weekends swimming in rivers and exploring the German woods collecting blueberries. Seeing children play in specially built playgrounds in malls is upsetting as I compare them to my childhood years. I try to connect with Mother Nature by being responsible; not littering, be efficient as possible to limit my carbon footprint, and going vegetarian when there’s a chance.
I’ve always been passionate about protecting the environment and I’m blessed with a recognisable voice as a celebrity. I’ve been actively maintaining my credibility as a public figure in conservation of the environment since 2006, and couldn’t resist being the ambassador for ‘River of Life’ campaign. The media and public are slowly picking up on my actions which have now turned into a part of my identity, in addition to being the face of pontianak of Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam.
WATER
The video of ‘Swimming with Garbage’ is a series of five. With shorter attention span in this day and age, short and impactful videos are the way to go. The audiences have been responding positively to this video with people getting increasingly aware not to treat rivers as dumpsters.
BANSHEE
Wearing the colour red reminds my fans of the yearly airing of Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam. I almost take up the role of the pontianak who embodies strength, power, and one who corrects what was wrongfully done to her. Having a persona and the exclusivity as a film actress with a strong following, help convey this awareness in a broader scale.
MERMAID
My global concerns were shown on the big screen was in the 2007 film Duyung, which focused on the rising volume of plastic trashed into the ocean. These awareness videos and films may be enhanced by the likes of a female messenger, especially of a mermaid from the fantasy world, but encapsulating images need to be used to attract attention for the message to be delivered.
I want to create more of these public announcements as saving the environment means saving yourself. I overcame my experience in anxiety and depression by acts of saving Mother Nature so she can continue protecting us and for the sake of our children’s future. This is the time to act and be sustainable as mass consumerism, fashion, and technology move in lightning speed.
RISING STAR
With the bubbliest of personalities, Dasha Logan has been exposed to the world of music from a very young age. Daughter of Loganathan from the legendary Alleycats, she captures audiences in jazz clubs and festivals from Penang Island Jazz Festival, across Kuala Lumpur, and into London. This singer-songwriter started her musical journey from the age of 17 in the multiple genres of jazz, funk, soul, and R&B. Her single “Cleverly” topped the UK’s soul charts two months after its release in 2014. Watch out for this rising star as she takes centre stage for her ‘Tribute to ABBA’. From April 20 to May 2 at Bobo KL. shalogan.blogspot.com
SPIRITUAL HEALING
With her unique take on music, Melissa Indot channels her creativity towards spiritual awareness and healing. She has created her own healing system called Intuitive Music Programming which sees her facilitating workshops with other women. Here to bring light to others, she performs live for events around the city. Melissa Indot performs at Bobo KL on May 8 and 9. www.melissaindot.io
UKULELE QUEEN
Listen up for Zee Avi’s new single, “Good Things” as this Borneo musician continues to string beautiful tunes into your world. Famous for the song “Kantoi”, Zee Avi never fails to include stories of everyday life into her beats, bringing a smile and even a laugh to her listeners. www.zeeavi.com
WORLD CLASS
Touring across the New World, Yuna continues to make Malaysians proud. No stranger to the global music scene, Vogue calls her: “An icon in the making”. Folk and jazz to R&B and pop, Yuna has been collaborating with big names in the music industry such as Pharrell Williams, DJ Premier, Usher, and G-Eazy. Her music video in 2019, “Forevermore”, was inspired by the traditional Malay syair. www.yunamusic.com