blog: Harlequin Haloes “MKM 2010: An amalgam of Malaysia’s cultures; all in a single jazz!”

Written by: Kelvin Hong Meng Chong,
Student, A-Level, Centre for Pre-University Studies (Class: AL 609)
JPA -sponsored Student and MKM Treasurer

“Have you really looked at our Malaysia flag? Take a closer look.”

A naked eye would name colours in a rainbow but a true Malaysian would see the harlequin haloes that crayoned the pillars of our country’s myriad inter-ethnic synergy. We stand proudly under a single flag; a single identity as proud Malaysians.

Rallying the torch of 7 years of impeccable college tradition, it was to come to spirit within the walls of KDU College; a cultural rendezvous. The rhapsody was summoned in a single file labelled as the Minggu Kebudayaan Melayu taking flight on the first week of August 2010. The climax of these series of esteemed events was symphonised in a Charity Gala Dinner dubbed Malam Kebudayaan Melayu which speaks in tune of Citra Warna as its theme. Connoted by the obvious, a sheer focus of limelight was placed on the colours of Malaysians via the conduct of these events.

Architected by a vibrant and motley-patched cohort in the Centre of Pre-University Studies in KDU, the war cry of “Saya Anak Malaysia” was proven to seethe the purest froth of solidarity and sincerity within the clement hearts of this amazing group of students. Very much in sync with the vibe of the Malaysian youths, this event is in parallel horizons with the extolled One Malaysia twitter. Many whom crossed path with these events would see how the theme speaks gallantly for itself through the amalgam of Malaysia’s culture; all in a single jazz.

In the presence and lustre of Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir who officiated and granted patronage towards this event on the 2nd of August 2010, the one week roller coaster boogie kick-started with an inter-school Dikir Barat competition triumphed by SMK Taman Medan. Next in the list was the inter-school Traditional Dance competition, which was bagged by SMK (P) Methodist, Klang. Both victors were then requested for an encore to preen their primes on the night of 6th August. Perhaps an avant-garde, the inter-faculty Ewah-ewah competition took stage on the third day with the admittance of international students followed by a fashion fast forward of its own on traditional outfits on the eve of the Gala Dinner.

Finally, the night of 6th August 2010; a date many would remember. Highlights of the night were the traditional dances (an enigmatic riddle in rhyme of the Ulek Mayang, authentically a Terengganu masterpiece), the modern dances (techno-tuned and a cupid-charmed medley of hot Korean hits and Justin Bieber’s hot numbers), the Choral Reading acquainted with truly insightful Malaysian scenes (well marinated with youthful humour and the perfect blend of dance, sing and drama) and the jaw-dropping hand mimed performance which resonated the song “Saya Anak Malaysia”. The night was definitely a total eclipse of the absolute norms!

Jaw-dropping hand mime

“Roti canai anyone?” It was definitely not an easy breeze coming up with witty scripts for the scenes nor were there nights we slept through without having the slightest tinge of MKM in our very dreams. These were priceless moments. The moments we shared under the cancan luminescence of the midnight moon working off the clock to get the backdrops done while being nocturnal during the wee hours rehearsing the very same steps and lines over the course of 5184000 seconds!

We cried, but we laughed even louder, together. There were sombre moments in the annals of MKM 2010, but we were lucky to at least have one another at the break of the dawn till the last shed of twilight on the night of 6th August. Regardless of how raucous the applauses were from the crowd that night or how ticket sales were like quicksand; the magic lies within every individual whom had putt the pixels and parcels of MKM 2010. No regrets, only tales to be told of the yesterdays. Harlequin haloes.

“Ohana means family, family means nobody gets left behind.” Our heartiest shout out to Miss Sathyavathy, Miss Hema Madhavan, Mr Jaya Kumar, Mr. Hilman Oo and of course, our working Patron, Datin Lily Zaiton aka "Mama" to us. Words simply could not do enough. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for you have truly been an inspiration to all of us. Now. And forever will.