Shanthini Venugopal, with son Hari and cat (All pics courtesy of Shanthini Venugopal)SINGER, actor, director and teacher Shanthini Venugopal has been in the Malaysian theatre industry for nearly three decades, having worked with various theatre companies since 1981. She is a pioneer member of The Instant Cafe Theatre Company. She has starred in films, including […]
Found in Malaysia
Knowing our heroes
By Ding Jo-Ann(All pics below courtesy of Ahmad Sarji) VISITING Tun Ahmad Sarji’s office feels like taking a walk through Malaysian history. Photographs of national icons such as Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tan Sri P Ramlee line the walls, alongside old family portraits and pictures of Ahmad Sarji in the many roles he has played over the […]
Selling ice to eskimos
By Deborah LohINDEFATIGABLE. That best describes Chef Wan, or Datuk Redzuawan Ismail, the professional chef, television host, food critic, author, actor, entrepreneur, cultural ambassador, and motivational speaker. Chef Wan is the Asian Food Channel (AFC)’s resident chef. At 52, he has hosted a string of international TV shows, and is still tirelessly putting Malaysian cuisine and the […]
Building Malaysia
By Ding Jo-Ann(All following pics courtesy of Sivarasa Rasiah) GENETICIST. Lawyer. Human rights activist. Subang Member of Parliament. Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-president. Sivarasa Rasiah has worn many hats. Sivarasa returned to Malaysia on his 30th birthday in 1986 and began a life of activism in championing human rights. The Rhodes scholar says he began thinking critically about […]
Nurturing the artist
By Ding Jo-AnnLee Su-Feh AWARD-winning dancer, choreographer and dramatist Lee Su-Feh is in the midst of questioning her art, asking why we dance and why people watch dance. At the same time, she believes everyone should be involved in dance. “I believe in the dancing body,” Lee says. “Everyone needs to dance and experience dance…It’s a way […]
A first-generation Malaysian
By Nick ChooJuwita Suwito performing in Ikano Power Centre (all pics courtesy of Juwita Suwito) NOT many can proclaim themselves to be a first-generation Malaysian, but acclaimed singer-songwriter Juwita Suwito is able to do just that. The former Malaysian Idol vocal coach, who worked with the finalists on the show’s first and second seasons, started off in […]
“Hokkien is my second language”
By Shanon ShahAnas Zubedy (all pictures below courtesy of Anas Zubedy) ANAS Zubedy, 46, sent out an appeal in September 2008, pleading for politicians from both the Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to stop politicking and focus on the economy instead. In addition to uploading it on his company website, Anas also published the appeal […]
Citizen of the universe
By Deborah Loh“THIS country runs on fear. Decisions are made out of fear,” declares artist Ahmad Zakii Anwar on what he doesn’t appreciate about Malaysia. The Nut Graph met the painter on 14 Jan 2010 to probe him on how his Malaysian identity influences his artwork, including of the nude male body — a touchy subject for […]
No limits
By Ding Jo-AnnJACLYN Victor is probably remembered best for her rendition of Gemilang when she won the 2004 Malaysian Idol finale. But Victor, or Jac as she’s commonly known, has gone on to win a string of local and international awards. This includes Ikon Malaysia in 2007, which also featured Dayang Nurfaizah and former Akademi Fantasia winner […]
Truth is beauty
By Koh Lay ChinHER grandfather was Tun Tan Cheng Lock, the first president of the MCA who worked hand-in-hand with Umno President Tunku Abdul Rahman and MIC president Tun VT Sambanthan to fight for Malaya’s independence. Her father was Tun Tan Siew Sin, also a former president of the MCA, and the country’s longest-serving finance minister (1959-1974). A […]
