Singapore with the Shaw brothers once possesed such a place in the Malay Archipelago that brought Indonesians, Malays, Indians and Chinese producers, directors, lyricist, musicians, etc together to create such an environment of creativity that brought forth this song in Anakku was also an environment where our own P.
You just touched the surface of the genius and creativity of Malay films of that genre.all lost at Ampas Singapore.films are powerful.but they need a free environment such as that in Hollywood and maybe Mumbai to flourish. Films are amazing mediums and I hope that I would be able to truly appreciate their worth. I have never analyzed a scene in a film so thoroughly before, but I feel like a discoverer now waiting to see what 'treats' lay in store in the films that I watch. Also notice the introduction of the gendang (drums) in the 'adult' scene, further adding to the 'weight' and feel of the music. I'm not sure if this is musical maturity, but it makes the melody sound stronger, so I guess in a way it is a form of maturity. NOW, compare this to the 'adult' scene, there is a radical transformation in the arrangement! The strings that are playing the melodic lines are playing a higher pitch. and also notice the strings that are also playing the melodic lines are the lower-pitched strings. Notice in the 'young' scene there are prominent 'upbeats' in the music, thus creating a happy atmosphere, almost like a pseudo-march. Compare this singing style to the 'adult' scene where the singing style is more flowing and legato. Notice the rhythmic-style singing by the children, almost like chanting out the words like a nursery rhyme. This is also done in order to show the maturation of the characters.įor example, the music during the 'young' scene is more upbeat. Notice the 'maturing' transition of the content of the song, from asking the tree and sky frivolous questions, to asking the heart about deeper questions regarding one's feelings.Īlthough both the 'young' and 'adult' scenes have EXACTLY THE SAME melodic lines, the two songs which are sung during the two scenes are very different. Punya tanda-tanda hubungan mesra (Show the signs of a loving relationship) Kumbang rayu bunga, bulan dan bintangnya (The ladybug and the flower, the moon and its star) Tanya sama hati, apa asal sayang? (Ask the heart, where does love originate?)Īdakah tandanya, nampak dipandang? (Could the signs be seen?) Nanti jawab langit, tanyalah awan (Then the sky would answer, ask the clouds)
Tanya sama langit, apa sebab hujan? (Ask the sky, why does it rain?) Nanti jawab pokok, angin yang goncang (Then the tree would answer, 'the wind shook me') Tanya pada pokok,apa sebab goyang? (Ask the tree, why do you shake?) The thing that struck me most about this scene was that basically this scene is about MATURITY, and it could be seen in all the elements in the film:ġ) From children to adults - Okay this is the most obvious oneģ) From day to night - How symbolic is that?!?! I thought that was just for fun!Ĥ) From lesser plants to more plants/shrubs - Again, symbolism!ĥ) But the most profound symbol that signifies change and maturity in this scene definitely lies in the music (even though the music for both 'young' and 'old' is essentially the same!).ġ) Notice the childish lyrics during the 'young' scene compared to the 'adult' scene:
While in the past I only viewed the video casually and for fun, this time I began to see and appreciate the so many little nuances that are evident in this tiny scene, so much so that I now begin to appreciate that films could be so symbolic and powerful, not just mere things captured on film. It was so exciting that my mind began racing and racing! Was this how scientists felt when they discovered something new? haha. I was watching a youtube video of the part where the two lead characters sang the song 'Tanya Sama Hati' (Ask the Heart), and I was hit by a sudden whirlwind of thoughts. I do not have many Eureka! moments in my life, but this is definitely one of them.