Monday, 27 October 2025

CUSTODIAN OF THE EARTH

 








































The sky was getting dark. We passed through the east hill of Dayang Bunting island towards the straits between the island and its neighbouring island, Tuba. The boat shifted to the right to approach a bay with a silhouette of Bukit Gondol as its backdrop. As we were approaching Langkawi Islands Barkat we heard the barking of three dogs - Manja, Mafia Junior and Nimo, visibly excited like small kids welcoming their guests. One of them (Mafia Junior maybe) even jumped into the water, as any loyal friend would do so to guard and secure the area and situation.  He excitedly accompanied  Abang Rasyid in guiding our boatman towards the deepest spot of the beach.

The sight of Mafia Junior (Mafia senior died), welcoming and greeting us with all his heart, while proudly stood beside his best friend Abang Rasyid in the shallow beach, will stay forever in our hearts as one honest and best welcome that we had ever received.  When it was the time for us to go home, Nimo sent us off, but this time with a somber and sad look. Cant believe I've been coming here every year since 2013 (stoped during the pandemic last 2 years).

In between the grand welcome & heartfelt send off, we were humbled by the animals roaming free at the place. This is certainly not a place to brag or show off how high one is as an 'artist'.

We were reminded of our role as the 'khalifah' or the custodian of the earth.

Video link to Hasnul J Saidon Youtube


SENADI DGN PAKLAN

 





“Segala yang berlaku dalam hidup ini adalah untuk mengingatkan kita kepada Tuhan. Bila hati redha, jiwa akan mula ‘terbang’ menuju-Nya.”

Begitulah kata Prof Hasnul (Kebun Jiwa Halus) sambil menunjukkan Paklan pada arca kuda terbang yang seolah-olah meluncur masuk ke dalam lukisan surreal di dinding galeri.

Ketika itu kami sedang duduk bersama di salah satu sudut ‘art installation’ beliau di ruang galeri. Niat asal hanyalah untuk merakam gambar kenangan bersama. Namun bila Prof mula bersuara, kata-katanya bagaikan cahaya menyusup masuk dan menyentuh ruang hati yang paling dalam.

Beliau seakan merasai pergolakan jiwa yang Paklan tempuh. Ada ayat yang dituturkannya seolah-olah mengetahui rahsia yang Paklan sembunyikan. Ia seperti wahyu kecil yang tersisip dalam kelembutan.

Bicara beliau Paklan amati. Suasana riuh-rendah disekitar galeri seperti terhenti. Segalanya menjadi senyap. Yang tinggal hanya dua insan, seorang guru, dan seorang murid.

“Saya dah rasa derita, bahagia… dan kini derita semula,” luah Paklan perlahan, seperti anak yang mencurahkan isi hati kepada bapanya. “Macam dah lengkap pusingan hidup. Sekarang saya faham apa yang prof cuba sampaikan.”

Perbualan kami berakhir dengan satu salam yang mesra, berat dengan makna yang tidak diucapkan. Paklan kemudian berlalu, membiarkan dirinya ditelan karya-karya yang terpamer.

“Lama betul ‘you’ duduk sembang dengan Prof?” tegur isteri pertama Paklan.

Paklan hanya tersenyum. Aneh rasanya kerana bagi Paklan, pertemuan tadi terasa cuma sekejap.
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Pameran lukisan dan arca SeNadi SeNafas sedang berlangsung di Galeri Shah Alam sehingga 19 Jun 2025. Pameran kecil di galeri kecil tetapi melibatkan dua tokoh besar dan karya yang hebat, Prof Hasnul Jamal Saidon dan Raja Shahriman Azzidin.

-Catatan 31 Mei 2025

CUSTODIAN OF THE EARTH

  The sky was getting dark. We passed through the east hill of Dayang Bunting island towards the straits between the island and its neighbou...