PREVIEW AT ISTANA BUDAYA

It was a wet Friday -- rained cats and dogs.

But we made it to Istana Budaya at 8:20 pm (we = me and Papa Khalid).

Met Hazel & Hubby and Husni at the lobby. Bib was a bit late (due to the jam).

Istana Budaya held a preview of what's in store for 2006.

We'll be seeing Lantai T Pinkie (again) soon in April, P Ramlee the Musical in July and The French Art festival in May.

We were treated to highlights from the various musicals.

The beautiful Vanida Imran, Nasha Aziz and many more big names will be in Lantai T Pinkie.

But on that rainy Friday night, Datin Seri Tiara Jacquelina, who will be starring in Puteri Gunung Ledang -- The Musical, stole the show. She sang and danced beautifully -- together with Stephen Rahman-Hughes who will be playing Hang Tuah.



In the audience, they were many big names in the Malaysian Entertainment Industry. Some were mega stars and prima donnas in the 50s, 60s and 70s.

I can't help but being reminded of Sudirman's song, Seniman Tua, when I went to say hello to them. The song was in Sudirman's very first album. I'm not sure who wrote the lyrics, but it sure described the 'seniman' -- kita selalu lupa peranan mereka dalam mengenali diri kita -- panggung perlu lebih tinggi daripada pedestal. Kita selalu lupa. They have enriched our lives.

It goes like this.

Aduhai seniman tua
di pentas semalam ku jumpa
di pinggir pentas kau tersenyum sendiri
kau simpan seribu rahsia

Di waktu kecilku engkaulah
Seniman pujaan semua
Kehadiran mu kini tak siapa yang mahu
begitu sabar kau mengunggu

Hidup mu bagai sabut di air
berbekalkan seni yang kau cintai
Tiada yang ingin tahu kepedihan dilirikan senyum mu
Anak mu lapar dahaga
mengharapkan segala yang kau tiada
kau curahkan jasamu
setiap detik tiada jemu

Aduhai seniman tua
hidupmu kearah mana
getir dan pilu mu tak siapa yang rasa
bagai mana esok lusa?

Yang tinggal seni mu jua
ooo... hormat daripada ku..