Most Malaysians have grown up with Lat comics, watching the eager-eyed boy grow from his kampung to the big bad city, before eventually returning home to all that is familiar. The story that has been so lyrically penned by cartoonist Datuk Mohd Nor Khalid — whom we know better as Datuk Lat — is based on his own life as a kampung boy turned reporter, turned world-famous cartoonist.
His wealth of cartoons, created over the span of almost a lifelong career, are a succinct, insightful documentation of Malaysian life by a Malaysian. Particular ethnocentricities and quirks that define us as Malaysians cannot be explained as well as a Lat comic can. For example, many of us only found out what the traditional Malay circumcision ceremony is like only after reading Lat’s famous comic strip.
Lat’s work over the years has brought to life multi-racial Malaysia, ranging from growing up in village or a small town, right up to carefully written political satire — especially popular was Lat’s lampooning of the heated debates between politicians and his satirical swipes at every major government policy as they were announced. He drew about Malaysians living life abroad from a local point of view and the ever-changing relationships between the different ethnic groups. Social commentary was a carefully masked message between the lines of humorous passages and slapstick.
The Malaysian National Institute of Translation (MNIT) and Tall Order Production (TOP) with the cooperation of the Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture is presenting a musical based on the life and times of Datuk Lat, with storylines adapted from his famous Kampung Boy novel. Prime Minister Datuk Sri Najib Tun Razak is patron of the musical, the first time he is taking on such a role.
Entitled Lat Kampung Boy the Musical, the production features rock singer Awie in the title role of Lat (with Daniel Shazique Eezkandar Azraien as a younger version) and comedian Douglas Lim as his childhood friend Frankie. Singer Atilia, actress Sandra Sothy and Jalil Hamid also co-star. The showcase is co-directed by Hans Isaac and comedian Harith Iskandar, who also penned the script with the help of up-and-rising comedian Kuah Jenhan. The 14 original songs — that range across various genres — were specially composed by local jazz pianist Michael Veerapen.
The musical follows the life story of Lat, from his early carefree childhood growing up in a small kampung in Perak, to his eventual rise in becoming a nationally loved and internationally recognised cartoonist. Lat is born in a small village in Kota Bharu in 1951, and from an early age, shows great interest and talent in drawing. His father, a government clerk with the armed forces, encourages his son’s passion.
Packing up and moving to the town of Ipoh in search of better opportunities, Lat officially becomes a “town” boy where he meets Mrs Hew, a teacher who drills in the importance of knowledge and learning. Lat also befriends Frankie, a young Chinese boy who shares his love for music.
As a young man Lat moves to the big city of Kuala Lumpur where he gets a job as a crimes reporter in the New Straits Times in Balai Berita, under the mentorship of the Senior Editor, Pak Samad. In KL Lat also meets, and falls in love with, Faezah. Finding life in KL to be a struggle, Lat is on the brink of giving up and moving back to Ipoh when his famous Sunat cartoon strip makes it into Asia Magazine.
This is a turning point in his life. Lat’s Scenes of a Malaysian Life and The Kampung Boy soon follow. Lat’s life changes as his cartoons become the toast of Malaysians everywhere. His dream of becoming a full time, professional cartoonist is finally fulfilled.
But — fame has its price. Soon, Lat is caught up in a whirlwind of attention. It seems like everyone wants a piece of him. Big corporations come calling, travel and assignments crowd his time. He begins to struggle with the demands of being a national icon.
What does he do? Does Lat manage to handle the demands made upon him? Find out as this colourful and fascinating musical brings to life the story of a true Malaysian legend.
Catch Lat Kampung Boy the Musical till Apr 3 at Istana Budaya, Jalan Tun Razak, KL. Tickets are priced at RM40, RM70, RM100, RM120, RM160, RM200, RM230 and RM300, and can be booked online on www.ticket2u.biz or via phone on (03) 4147 8600.
This article appeared on the Live it! page, The Edge Financial Daily, March 23, 2011.