Forgetting our roots by Goh Kel Li
Has it ever occurred to you that there is a saying that goes like this?
'Never ever forget your roots because at the end of the day, that's where you'll return'
Yes, do not ask me who wrote that quote as I have no idea, but I remember clearly hearing it being spoken a couple of times.
As we were young, we were always asked to support our country, be patriotic, sing our national anthem loudly and proudly and also celebrate our independence day with full love in our hearts.
We were told to buy more locally produced merchandise such as clothes, food, and other what nots.
Many of us consumers have been following suit, but there is just one thing that consumers never did support.
Well, if there is then it is certainly a small minority.
Our local music industry.
When you tell your parents that you want to become a singer, the natural response you would get would be
"In Malaysia, you would never be able to make it big"
Which, sadly it is very true.
Malaysia has so many artists, talented ones I might add. But they are rarely discovered abroad, worst there are some artists that even the locals have no idea what their music is or who they are!
The ironic thing is that, our local Chinese artists such as Fish Leong or Guang Liang (Michael) are famous today everywhere are due to reasons that they had to go to Taiwan to venture and expand their music career as they were not receiving much support back at home.
Take Malaysian Idol for an example, winner Daniel has released his own album but the news died down less than 6 months and his sales record was not doing very well. After the launch of his first album, there was barely news of our Malaysian Idol star, except seeing him appearing in a few adverts that have nothing to do with singing or music.
All of these happen, why?
Is it because of the lack of publicity?
Possible.
But in my opinion, is the lack of support shown by our very own locals. We have this mentality that whatever is produced locally, are never good enough or somehow faults are found within.
We are constantly comparing everything we have in our country against the foreigners.
Sit back and think, our country is still growing and trying to improve and this takes time.
The other countries that we look up to such as the States, England and etc, they have been around forever, naturally they would be able to do much better in most areas.
And that includes the music scene. Not forgetting that they have the resources to do so.
Truth of the matter, these people can surprise you more than you know.
Yes, do not ask me who wrote that quote as I have no idea, but I remember clearly hearing it being spoken a couple of times.
As we were young, we were always asked to support our country, be patriotic, sing our national anthem loudly and proudly and also celebrate our independence day with full love in our hearts.
We were told to buy more locally produced merchandise such as clothes, food, and other what nots.
Many of us consumers have been following suit, but there is just one thing that consumers never did support.
Well, if there is then it is certainly a small minority.
Our local music industry.
When you tell your parents that you want to become a singer, the natural response you would get would be
"In Malaysia, you would never be able to make it big"
Which, sadly it is very true.
Malaysia has so many artists, talented ones I might add. But they are rarely discovered abroad, worst there are some artists that even the locals have no idea what their music is or who they are!
The ironic thing is that, our local Chinese artists such as Fish Leong or Guang Liang (Michael) are famous today everywhere are due to reasons that they had to go to Taiwan to venture and expand their music career as they were not receiving much support back at home.
Take Malaysian Idol for an example, winner Daniel has released his own album but the news died down less than 6 months and his sales record was not doing very well. After the launch of his first album, there was barely news of our Malaysian Idol star, except seeing him appearing in a few adverts that have nothing to do with singing or music.
All of these happen, why?
Is it because of the lack of publicity?
Possible.
But in my opinion, is the lack of support shown by our very own locals. We have this mentality that whatever is produced locally, are never good enough or somehow faults are found within.
We are constantly comparing everything we have in our country against the foreigners.
Sit back and think, our country is still growing and trying to improve and this takes time.
The other countries that we look up to such as the States, England and etc, they have been around forever, naturally they would be able to do much better in most areas.
And that includes the music scene. Not forgetting that they have the resources to do so.
Truth of the matter, these people can surprise you more than you know.
Comments…
There are 2 comment(s). Add yours now!
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Roy
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 1:04:26 AM
First person to post a comment!!
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Kester Low
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 7:08:59 AM
Maybe we all know it in a different context. It's called 'the grass is greener on the other side'. The Malaysian Boleh spirit is good and constantly eminent in some portions of our national agenda, but there's a serious dissatisfaction when expectations come to meet results, or vice-versa. Maybe it is like u say, we lack the support. But sometimes it's also what we intent and want (and need to) make of it. If WE all (powers that be, and art creators) can have some sort of paradigm shift and put in a decent amount of effort (if not more), in our industries; now namely the creative arts (music, theatre, fine arts...) there can be so much more than just mere preservation of culture. it'll be euphoria to be involved with all these if it were in a better position to demand attention and respect from the masses. The ideal nation will thrive with these opportunities. But are we ready? Have we matured enough to handle that kinda responsibility - should we have the means to. So it's now a question of when, and IF we're ready - i think. :) - o man, long rhetoric.
