The wau factor

Artistic passion: Mohd Razi with some of the wau in his personal collection. He started learning to make the traditional craft about 11 years ago. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN/The Star

WAU maker and hobbyist Mohd Razi Mohd Said started pursuing his passion for the Malaysian kite more than a decade ago.

Today, he has more than 50 beautiful pieces in his personal collection.

The 49-year-old, who holds a full-time job as a clerk at a legal firm, immerses himself in wau-making in the wee hours of the night on days when he is not too tired.

He said it took about 200 hours on average to design and make one wau.

“I work on my wau between 1am and 4am, which means it takes me two months to complete one project if I work on it three hours a day.

“Depending on the shape, size and intricacy of the design, the price of a wau can fetch between a few hundred ringgit and a few thousand ringgit, ” he said.

Mohd Razi, who is from Selayang Baru, Selangor, does not come from a family of wau makers.

His interest in the art stemmed from the time he helped a friend fly a wau at a park when he was 15 years old.

“My friend allowed me to hold the string for a while and the experience was exhilarating. It made me yearn to know more about it.

“I was fascinated by the unique sounds a wau makes while it flies, its history and how different states have their own designs.

“In the past, the wau was also used in villages as a communication tool. Each family had their own kite.

“If there was an emergency or news to be announced to villagers, the family would raise the wau to grab people’s attention and spread information, ” he said.

However, Mohd Razi only delved into the art of wau-making about 15 years ago.

“I was into motoring in my younger days but over time, I felt the calling to pursue my passion for wau.

“I got in touch with a few wau makers in Kelantan and travelled back and forth to learn the art, ” he said, adding that he made his first kite in 2010.

The father of three makes three types of wau in general — the Wau Bulan, Wau Kucing and Wau Jala Budi — which are mostly for his own collection and some of which he submits for competitions.

“It is a meticulous process that requires a lot of patience and attention to detail, but every piece I complete gives me a sense of fulfilment, which makes it worth the effort, ” said Mohd Razi.

“My wife and children have all become interested in the art.

“I also conduct wau-making workshops and demonstrations with the help of my family members, for corporate clients and in collaboration with Malaysian Tourism Centre.

“Wau-making is a beautiful traditional art form and there is no end to learning new techniques.”

To create wau, all one needed were bamboo, thread, coloured paper, glue and a sharp blade, he said.

“I hope more people of the younger generation will pick up this craft to ensure its continuity.

“Do it not for the money but for the love for it, ” he said.

“The first few years of joining wau competitions as an amateur artist was daunting as I went up against masters in the field.

“Over the years, I have brushed up my skill and gained more confidence, ” he added.

Mohd Razi has won many wau competitions since.

The most prestigious one was when he was part of the Kuala Lumpur team that placed third in the World Kite Festival Award 2019.

In the 2014 festival, he won in three categories — first place in Wau Jala Budi Naik and second place in the Wau Bulan Naik and Wau Kucing categories.

Some of Mohd Razi’s wau are on display at the Intermark Mall concourse area in Kuala Lumpur until June 13.