What a Revelation in Perspective...a blog is mightier than swordfish!

The Swordfish, Then the Concubine

Allow me to be frank here, though this play is supposedly in local context and supposedly be an easier play to read, I have found that of all the plays we are obliged to read, this one was very much befuddling to my mind. Perhaps, I wasn’t really into the main issue addressed by the author, or I was simply looking to high at the stars and forgotten all about the grass I’m stepping on. Anyway, as we were actually not given with so many choices, reading the play was indeed compulsory! Here’s the overall look at the play in my understanding and point of view, it may be varied to what other readers perceived, feel free to correct me.

The play starts with the mention of the two characters, Demang Lebar Daun and Sri Tri Buana. From the portrayal of things, Demang seemingly could never be disloyal nor shall his descendant. The issue or conflict arises when the Sultan’s favorite concubine, Nurhaliza, was accused of taking part in the deviationist sect perpetuated by Ibu Zin. Though later on the play, Nurhaliza was found not guilty to the accusation, the Sultan was having too much pride and so egoistic to admit and withdrawn the sentence. The Sultan had also violated the covenant by publicly parade Nurhaliza’s punishment. Due to this action, Sang Rajuna Tapa, who is also Nurhaliza’s father, decides to seek revenge and go against the Sultan by taking Majapahit sides to attack Singapura. However, because of his betrayal, Sang Rajuna Tapa and his wife, Kesuma was turned into stone.

In the play, it seems as if the author was trying to impart the issue of the misused of the power or post a person is holding for personal interest or personal gain. For example, the effort of Nurhaliza to be a better and knowledgeable person was then backfired on her and became the reason for her sentenced. Her actions of wanted to progress and learnt more was seen as being a threat to certain people who were holding power and policy. The portrayal of the Maharaja and his son, Iskandar, somehow give readers the idea of how ignorant a leader can be in order to save their own reputation and could really care less about the people who are suffering. For instance, he, the Maharaja came up with such foolish and insane idea of asking the people to use their legs as shield from the Todak to indirectly show solidarity. Now, who’ll agree with me if I say, the Maharaja is a madman? Besides, the killing of Hang Nadim, a too brilliant for his own good in the play suggest to the readers just how ignorant the Maharaja and his battalion of fools could be. They had put a death sentence on the boy just to cover up their stupidity and save their positions.

As a conclusion, this play was indeed provocative as it may also reflect the situation in this nation and trigger people to think on several issues that are related to our local context and may just appear to be the reality in our country, though as reluctant as we are to believe or accept. Most of the times, things does not appear as what they are actually should be, we just have to make a thorough analysis and judge it for ourselves – p/s : I’m not suggesting anything here…at the end, the reading of the play does make me reflect on my perception towards certain perspective in life, in this case, the political structure of Malaysia or the mind set and mentality of our people.