Graphic: 123rf
In 1950s to 70s Malaysia, besides cinema-going, another staple was listening to music – mostly through the radio.
The emotive impact of music is undeniable, stirring a multitude of feelings and memories. It possesses the remarkable ability to transport us to specific moments in time, where memories – both sweet and bitter – come flooding back.
Six songs hold a special place in my heart, each evoking a vivid memories whenever I listen to it:
This song played in the background when the credits were rolling at the end of the movie The Killing Fields. The 1984 British biographical drama about the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia is based on the experiences of two journalists – one a Cambodian and the other an American.Usually, at the end of a movie, patrons would make an exit as soon as the credits of the movie are shown. Not this time. No one was in a hurry to leave the cinema hall as everyone was mesmerised by the ending: The Cambodian journalist, who endured great pain and suffering at the hands of the Viet Cong, was finally rescued by his American friend who returned to Cambodia for him.
The movie was a poignant reminder of the human cost of war and suffering. As the credits rolled and the haunting strains of the song filled the cinema hall, we were transported to a world torn apart by conflict yet united by the hope of peace. Through the lyrics, we could envision a world free from division and strife, inspiring us to strive for a better tomorrow.
I was then in Form Six and waiting for my turn to join my brother to study at Universiti Malaya. I was so taken up by this movie and asked myself, “Is this what awaits me when I graduate from university?”
This song evokes memories of my youthful naivety, the complexities of adulthood, and the allure of forbidden desires.
This song was popular when I was still in school. A 1967 British drama film, with the same title, deals with social and racial issues in an inner-city school. It stars Sidney Poitier.
Lulu sings about her teacher, a black man, who “took them from crayons to perfume”, and taught them right from wrong. She wonders how they would repay him for all he has done for them.
In the 1950s and 60s, teachers in Malaysia were highly respected, even revered. Whenever the song was played on the radio, my mum would ask me to turn the volume up.
Two very hardworking and dedicated trainee teachers, named Iswary and Logeswary, boarded with us. My mum became teary-eyed whenever she heard the song and recalled her personal experience with these two teachers.
On May 11, 1969, I enrolled as a freshman at Universiti Malaya. I was 20. I had left my Air Leleh kampung house in Melaka for the first time in my life.
Two days later, on May 13, racial riots broke out in Kuala Lumpur. There were many casualties. I was sad and shocked and missed home. Scrawny as I was, I donated blood at the nearby University Hospital.
When peace was restored, I rushed home to see my parents and siblings.
This song plays in my mind throughout the month of May and beyond. Till today, I remember my first few days at the university whenever I hear this Bee Gees classic. It has a sad tune, making me feel the same way.
Those years were the most difficult ones of my life! I had not expected a PhD programme to be so demanding and tough.
I had to push myself to the limit, as failure (or returning home to Malaysia without a doctorate degree) was not an option. I had exhausted my life savings (and even sold my house) to pursue this PhD degree. I often cried silently when the going got tough; I had to make sacrifices.
The lyrics of this song resonate with me, for they echo my own struggles and triumphs. The song became a source of solace and inspiration.
This is one song that encapsulates the essence of childhood wonder and the magic of the holiday season. For a young child eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus, the song served as a delightful reminder of the joyous anticipation that filled the air during Christmas time. Despite my not being of the Christian faith, the festive spirit was shared with neighbours, creating a tapestry of memories woven with innocence and communal celebration.
