Seni Untuk Semua is a new, arts education TV series launched by the Cultural Economic Development Agency (Cendana) that aims to bring the arts directly to the masses.
From shadow puppetry and mask-making workshops to dance and music tutorials, this community-driven initiative airs every Sunday on RTM TV1 at 9.30pm.
The 16-episode, 30-minute TV programme is hosted by actor/TV personality Nazrudin Habibur Rahman, better known as Abang Naz. The first episode aired on April 10.
Each episode will feature an artist who will walk viewers through the process of creating an artwork in a fun and engaging way.
“We hope that through this programme, parents will be able to engage in these activities with their children, which can indirectly help kids with their development as well as strengthen the bond between parent and child,” says Junady Nawawi, group CEO of MyCreative Ventures, which manages Cendana.
Among the featured artists on Seni Untuk Semua are tok dalang (master puppeteer) Pak Dain and Fusion Wayang Kulit co-founder Tintoy Chuo. They will be sharing their knowledge of the traditional craft of wayang kulit.
“This has been a humbling opportunity for us. May this art practice continue to live on through the audiences of the Seni Untuk Semua TV programme,” says Pak Dain.
Fusion Wayang Kulit, founded in 2012, is a contemporary pop culture outfit which has been reviving traditional shadow puppetry art by merging it with digital/multimedia content. It keeps the tradition alive by using different subject matters as the basis of its creations, incorporating well-known pop culture icons such as Star Wars and DC superheroes.
Other activities include a mask-making workshop by Sarina Aziz from cultural outfit Pertubuhan Seni Budaya Tepak Tellaz, drumming class by drummer/instructor Ahmad Haziq Ramli and a puppet tutorial by Helena Foo and Malin Muhamad Faisal from Siapa Theatre.
“Puppet shows like Sesame Street and The Muppets were part of our lives when we were growing up. We wanted to bring the colours and the movements of the puppets to Seni Untuk Semua,” says Foo.
Starting May 1, there will also be an online series called Seni Untuk Semua Atas Talian, featuring 15-minute art tutorials curated by 50 artists from across the country.
It will be streamed via Cendana’s virtual arts hub BasKL, with one episode released every day.
The bite-sized virtual programme, self recorded by the participating artists, offers an exciting line-up of art tutors, from various disciplines such as performing arts, visual arts, music and traditional craft.
Want to learn how to make a mandala wall decoration using recycled paper? Check out contemporary artist Ho Mei Kei's episode. Curious about bharatanatyam? Look out for dance studio Vehaara Arts’ segment.
Seni Untuk Semua will continue the work of the Artist In School programme, which began in 2020 in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. The programme allowed experienced artists to teach art in Klang Valley schools.
It has now been restructured in response to the pandemic, and delivered through this TV series and online art tutorials.
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