About the Project
Renungan mata mencermin diri,
Ikhlasnya dari jantung ke hati.
Hulur tangan bisikan naluri,
Maaf zahir dan batin kembali.
This performance embodied stories from elders from the Malay-Muslim community. As we approach our last breath, this is a collective gesture to reflect on actions and inactions in our relationships.
Seniors are the epitome of wisdom. As such, we learn to make meaning of different life experiences and challenges of physical mobility in old age. Dance company, P7:1SMA (Prisma) engaged weekly with a group of elders from Montfort Care – GoodLife! Bedok which entailed the mutual sharing of stories about asking for forgiveness, letting go of regrets and accepting loss.
Central to respecting the processual nature of life, it was hoped that social change was possible through this performance. The time together with the community elders was a gift to reflect on our quality of life in this temporary world.
Creation Process
Over four months, dancers from P7:1SMA conducted workshops, including Malay dance, and relationship-building activities with seniors from Montfort Care – GoodLife! Bedok.
These workshops were part of a process to produce a carefully choreographed performance that interpreted challenging issues related to forgiveness, letting go of regrets and accepting loss reflected through dance movements.
Insights to the Creation Process
Writer-in-residence Liyana Nasyita, explored the questions on forgiving and seeking forgiveness with a group of Malay-Muslim seniors aged between 50 and 80.
A collection of photographs and writing by the seniors on ways of asking for forgiveness.
Liyana detailed the reactions and emotions displayed by the seniors as they celebrated Hari Raya Aidilfitri together.
Liyana made her first attempt to explore questions on departure and death with the seniors.
Liyana gradually learnt that it’s not difficult for the seniors to talk about death after all.
Another writer-in-residence, Dia Hakim Khaeri reflected on her session with the community elders and the meaning of Kembali (to return).
Led by two questions on regret and change, Dia examined the complicated relationships between arts and religion.
Dia delved into her understanding of community art and the significance of a project like Kembali.
The community elders were introduced to the movement score of Kembali which was inspired by the three main processes involved in a Muslim funeral.
How the community elders championed another Kembali practice session that was focused on choreography in the presence of a photographer.
In the last rehearsal, the seniors were encouraged to reflect on one’s body as a vessel in performance and how it intertwines with death.
Credits
Artist
P7:1SMA (Prisma) is a dance performance company that hopes to radically shift the perspective of Malay dance through intimate and innovative performance experiences. Find out more on their website.
Community Performers
Amraini Bte Yaakob
Asiah Bte Haji Rosti
Faridah Binte Rahmat
Halimah Bte Awang
Hamimah Binte Ibrayan
Mazni Binte Kaswani
Nor’aini Binte Rowden
Norizan Binte Taib
Rasidah Bte Sallim
Samia Binte Mahmood
Sazlinah Bte Haron
Zaleha Binte Ismail
Artists
Norhaizad Adam
Hasyimah Harith
Writers-in-Residence
Dia Hakim Khaeri
Liyana Nasyita
Muhammad Fahmi bin Hazmi
Performance
“Kembali” Dance Performance
Artists Hasyimah Harith and Norhaizah Adam performing “Kembali” alongside the Community Performers
Community Performer Amraini and Montfort Care Staff Mazni performing “Kembali”
Audience interaction during “Kembali” Dance Performance
Artist Hasyimah Harith performing alongside Community Performers during “Kembali” Dance Performance
Community performer Nor’aini during “Kembali” Dance Performance
Workshop Process
Arts Workshop session with P7:1SMA
Arts Workshop session with P7:1SMA
Artist Hasyimah Harith with the Community Performers rehearsing for “Kembali”
Community Performers rehearsing for “Kembali”
Community Voices
“Last time, I never got to share with them about how I feel regarding these (end-of-life) topics. But once I joined this Kembali project… I will share with my husband, I would tell them (family) the story…”
