The story of Azanin Ahmad - a primadona of dance drama theatre

Malaysian leading arts exponent Datin Azanin Ezane Ahmad is a force to be reckoned with and notable as a figure who constantly searches, refines and doggedly pursuing excellence.

Her unmistakably inherent grace and passion to place Malaysia on the world map and has inspired the minds of young and old alike in Malaysia.

And with Azanin, you can never go wrong.

She often unfolds layers of the makyong plots with the expertise that come with the magic of time and sustained attention and demonstrates to us how inspiration and depth go hand-in-hand.

Her exquisite works in upholding the performing arts has changed the dance landscape had never failed to cease her legions of fans locally and abroad.

Azanin's performances masterfully combine the depth and rigour of traditional makyong with inspired imagination and emotional intensity.

Azanin needs little introduction. The founder, artistic director and choreographer of Suasana Cultural Centre, she had always envisioned the performing arts centre to be committed towards Malay performing arts preservation.

Her involvement in the arts stems from her modest upbringing- cradled in ‘kain tenun’ was a child absorbed in ancestral traditions through her great grandmother, Opah Wan Som who hailed from Batu Gajah, Perak.

Rhythm, music, song, dance, legends and history are in Azanin’s life-blood - exquisitely-woven into her works that are often translated as majestic presence of sheer artistry.

The cultural preservationist studied Economics in Monash University, Melbourne first cultivated her distinct dance drama style when she performed for international dignitaries at the Canberra Playhouse theatre in celebration of Malaysia’s National day in 1972.

“I am the pioneer of the concept called dance drama theatre productions, and it is based on the ancient classical art forms of our heritage,” said the serene Azanin during the exclusive interview with Astro AWANI.

“Dance theater is where I inject drama, there is no vocals, no dialogues yet it is an expression of the body and face. It's based on the ancient art form of the different classical performing arts of bygone days - the Makyong theatre of Kelantan, Asyik, Terinai from Kedah, Gamelan dance of Pahang and Terengganu - and I have made it into my own style,” she said, as her hands moved in sync with her articulated speech, as he reminisced her glorious years as a renowned anak seni.

And to many of us, Azanin's credentials as an educator is as impressive as her track record as a performer.

Over the years, Azanin epitomises the various leading characters in her dance drama productions -- from her first production of Dayang Sari in 1978 till Tun Fatimah in 1996.

Her critically-acclaimed productions were celebrated, often labelled a “tour de force” by critics. It was her Midas touch that made her productions highly-memorable.

One of her performances titled, Puteri Saadong, the hauntingly beautiful 1982 production was televised in 1983. It was labelled an “election stopper” as many decided to stay at home to watch it rather than go out to the polls during a Kelantan by-election that year.

Her other productions such as Seri Rama Siti Dewi went on to be staged not only locally but also in major cities in Japan much to the delight of the curious audiences. This was followed by the highly-acclaimed Kunang-Kunang Gunung Ledang which wowed audiences in Spain.

Her 1980 stage production titled Jentayu was staged in West Germany -- and the title derived from the name of a Malaysian air force fighter jet and a poem by the late national laureate, Datuk Osman Awang.

Indeed, the spotlight has not diminished for Azanin despites her lying low from the scene for quite some time.

These days, Azanin dedicates her time tending her private dance garden, aptly named “Laman Tari Azanin” located not far from the hustle and bustle of the capital city, Kuala Lumpur. Set in the lush tropical paradise, the main gallery of the house was designed by the dancer herself.

The traditional Perak influence evident in the house design is a perfect space for the leading exponent of dance to host her dance contemporaries.

If you step into the private space, you'd be transported back to the old-Melayu era as it is filled with costumes and age-old musical instruments which Azanin refers to as 'my pride and joy'.

Azanin is also one the biggest collectors of Heliconias in the country and was featured in Tourism Malaysia’s “Parks and Gardens of Malaysia”.

The garden, “where art and nature dance together” also features local traditional flora such as the kenanga, melor, melati and cempaka lending an air of opulence to the ambience.

In recognition of her work she was bestowed several awards such as Ahli Mangku Negara (A.M.N) in 1992 by Almarhum DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Azlan Shah, and Seri Mahkota Kelantan (S.M.K) from Sultan Kelantan, Sultan Ismail Petra.

For her outstanding contributions to the society and nation, she was bestowed the Avon-Tan Sri Fatimah Woman of Distinction Award (1992) and the Ahli Mangku Perak (A.M.P) by her home state Perak, on the occasion of the birthday of the Sultan of Perak, Almarhum DYMM Paduka Seri Sultan Azlan Shah.

Her motto: 'My world is dance which is carried by the Trade Winds and rides the crests of the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea.'

Aar ... that's Azanin for you. The graceful primadona whose legacy has inevitably shaped the history and culture in the country.

Click here to view images from Azanin's exclusive collection