SAME OLD, SAME OLD

AN EXERCISE in obsession - that's what the play called Tanah, staged recently at the KL City Hall auditorium by theatre group Hidayah, is all about.

One can't fathom how some people just can't let go of the past and love rambling endlessly on the subject of Independence, an achievement which we have enjoyed tremendously for the past 43 years.

Even if one must indulge in the subject, couldn't they have picked a better time to do it, say around Merdeka Day? Inciting patriotic feelings is a noble thing but whining endlessly for hours can be quite an irritation.

It's like listening to the same old tune year after year and the zest of carrying this sentiment would eventually wear off. To quote my little son Farhan: ``Berapa kali nak Merdeka? (How many times do we need to achieve Independence?)''

Tanah is a play targeted at Malays and the real issue raised is about the dilemma of the Malays - then, now and in the future.

Throughout the whole play, Malays are reminded to be nationalistic, to not to forget their roots, on how Independence was achieved and to not take for granted the aspirations of great leaders like Tunku Abdul Rahman, Mat Kilau, Tok Bahaman, Za'aba and Pak Sako.

The only relevant issue in the whole play is the importance of staying united for the Malays. Even then, scriptwriter and director Kamaruzaman Hj Ibrahim failed to convince the audience the need to do this.

The argument that was put forth about ``why we should be rid of the British and take control of our land, destiny and people,'' was a bit farfetched. And getting main characters like Rosnah (portrayed by Shariza Mahmud), Manisah (Noor Hayati Yusoff) and Malim (Nazri Ahmad) to say lines about this in an emotional, and at times hysterical, manner only confirms that Kamaruzaman lacks ideas.

According to Kamaruzaman, the Malays in those days differ in their opinions and getting them united was a major problem. It was only through mental strength more than physical that they were able to overcome this problem. The explanation was a long-winded one and not for someone with little patience and a busy mind.

Tanah dwells on serious subjects like the privileges and rights of the Malays (hak istimewa orang Melayu), the dignity of the Malays (maruah orang Melayu) and why the Malays were dead against the formation of the Malayan Union - things that we already know about and do not need to be reminded of.

We studied it in school, read about it in the papers and heard about it on TV, so having to watch it on stage was a bit too much.

Shouting ``Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka!'' with all that verve is like discussing the ``wrong'' subject at the wrong time. The message ``to stay united'' was clear but exaggerated to the extent of becoming tedious.

The only commendable thing about Tanah was the brilliant acting of veteran Yalal Chin and newcomer Kamaruddin Saidi who did more than their share to liven up the otherwise draggy play.

REVIEW BY ZIEMAN - PUBLISHED 31/10/2000