BAITING 'EM WITH FOLKLORE

FANTASY and imagination can do wonders for little minds but capturing the attention of the young, while fun and seemingly easy, can be a real challenge to adults who have to devise programmes, books or other products for children. One needs to get the formula right and this is what two entertainment industry giants, TV3 and Warner Music Malaysia, have come up with.

The companies formed a pact recently to devise a format, comprising an album and a TV programme, just for children.

Banking on Ikan Kekek, a catchy folk tune composed by an Indonesian singer and later popularised and re-recorded by Japanese Sandii Suzuki, Warner Music released an album last week while TV3 launched a children's programme, on Nov 5 for the station's Orange It's Kids children's network, named after this song.

According to Nasser Abu Kassim, Warner Music Malaysia's executive director, Ikan Kekek was a well-thought out album and contrary to the perception that the record company is cashing in on the popularity of the artistes involved in the album, ``it's a genuine effort aimed solely at children.''

``Our counterparts in the West have been doing this sort of album for decades. But this is the first time we are doing it over here. In fact, this marks our first attempt at documenting folk songs in an album. You could regard this album as a national heritage,'' explains Nasser.

Whatever the argument, roping in big names like Sheila Majid to sing Ibu, Man Bai (Aor Pasang Pagi), Datuk SM Salim (Dodoi Si Dodoi), Jamal Abdillah (Jong Jong Inai), Ajai & Nurul (Mama Sayang Papa), Rem (Burung Kakak Tua), Anuar Zain (Kain Pelikat) and Intan Sarafina (Suriram) would certainly boost sales of Ikan Kekek.

By the way, Warner Music's new artiste Nadia Fadila had the honour of singing the title track which was quite refreshing. Though most of the songs underwent quite extensive transformation, thanks to Ramli's ingenuity which rendered the sound of most of the numbers progressive and brilliant, the same can't be said for Burung Kakak Tua performed by Rem.

The music's fast-paced tempo was a real strain to the ears. The older version is catchy enough and the change brings to mind the saying, ``If it ain't broke, why fix it?''

The album was produced by Ajai while the music arrangement was handled by Ramli MS. The VCD version of Ikan Kekek will be out by the end of this month.

The children's programme, which will feature songs from the album, promises to be quite an entertaining affair given that it will be helmed by the talented and versatile Erna Ellyana Rusly, winner of the eighth Sinaran Pasport Kegemilangan.

A video clip of the first episode of Ikan Kekek proved Erna to be a natural who doesn't need much coaxing to breeze through the segments. Apart from Erna, there are other regulars like Alvin Chew, Daniel Roslan, Ku Amirul Faiz and Syakila Khan who will make their appearances throughout the half-hour programme.

Each of them will play a role in stories that include tales such as Si Tanggang, Pak Pandir, Si Luncai and portions of interesting Malaccan history.

These stories, reinforced with positive messages and good advice, are weaved in an interesting way so as to hold a child's attention.

Every week, there will be a video-clip featuring singers including Nurul, Ajai, Man Bai, Sheila Majid, Rem, Anuar Zain and Datuk SM Salim in various, beautiful settings that include the Bird Park in Kuala Lumpur, and traditional homes and fishing villages throughout the country.

Besides this, the programme showcases traditional games like teng teng, congkak and galah panjang in the hope that they will not be die out because of later, hi-tech inventions. Children will also be able to familiarise themselves with the famous petua (age-old advice) passed down through the ages.

Other segments will highlight proverbs, poems, poetry and riddles that are educational and enlightening, as well as humorous.

The station believes that by screening Ikan Kekek, children would be exposed and introduced to unique Malaysian values, tradition and heritage to make them proud of their country.

Ikan Kekek is targeted at children aged between seven and 12 years.

BY ZIEMAN - PUBLISHED 10/11/2000