Datuk Faridah Merican, a pioneering force in Malaysia’s performing arts, is set to release her memoir later this year.
Scheduled for a mid-year launch, the book – published by The Actors Studio, with support from Buku Fixi – is cheekily titled Me, Mamak.
It traces how Faridah’s lifelong passion for the arts has shaped her journey, from her childhood in the quiet kampung of Ayer Itam, Penang, to her early steps in radio, television and theatre.
Fondly known as the “First Lady of Malaysian Theatre,” the 86-year-old has excelled as actor, producer, director, educator and tireless advocate for the performing arts.
Musician, biographer and playwright U-En Ng, who edited the manuscript, described Me, Mamak as a painfully honest memoir.
“You can hear her voice very clearly in the words of these pages, as if she were speaking to you directly rather than writing a conventional autobiography intended to be read," said Ng.
"In this and many other ways, Me, Mamak is exactly as Faridah is: pure, raucous, unfiltered, and so very full of an energy that delights in all that the world has to offer,” he added.
Faridah began her career in broadcasting and advertising before co-founding theatre company The Actors Studio (TAS) with her husband, Joe Hasham, in 1989.
Following the devastating 2003 flash floods that destroyed TAS’ Dataran Merdeka venue, Faridah spearheaded the rebuilding effort, culminating in the establishment of the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac) in 2005.
In 2024, her enduring dedication to her craft was recognised with the Merdeka Award for education and community.
Faridah continues to command the stage, as demonstrated by recent appearances. Last October, she drew a full house for Independent Women: Mayang, Rokiah, Mariam, Dara – and Faridah Merican talk and tribute performance at KLPac during the inaugural What The Elders Left Us festival.
In January, she starred alongside Patrick Teoh and Anne James in Joe Hasham’s new play God’s Waiting Room, which also sold out its series at KLPac.
