The Babas were masters of the popular 19th century Malay singing form — dondang sayang. They were also one of the first Chinese communities to learn Western classical music as well as popular genres such as jazz and swing. Chinese music was restricted to weddings when the seroni, a wind instrument, was played.
Is there such a thing as Peranakan Art? Do we have a painting tradition? Spying into the rumah abus of Malacca, Penang and Singapore, paintings are certainly not in short supply, although they are mainly portraits executed by non-Peranakans. Baba Peter Lee explores Desmond Sim’s paintings. (Extracted from Jan-Mar 2004 Issue of The Peranakan)
Baba Peter Wee began with the history of Peranakan beadwork. Sewing manek items for daily use was a true expression of the culture at that time, as it was the Nyonya’s very own handiwork, reflecting her interests, tastes and creative fair. Perhaps the missionary teachers first introduced cross-stitch were later imported from Europe. These pattern books formed the basis of most Peranakan beadwork designs. The Nyonyas’ favourite motifs included Western-style flowers, birds, insects, and ladies in period dresses; dogs, swans, Snow White’s seven dwarfs and even Betty Boop have also appeared on beaded shoes, bags, belts and bolster ends.
Female impersonators have dominated the stage in Japan and China for centuries, and have created intricate and highly stylized art forms. As in these traditions, female roles have also been played by men in the Peranakan bangsawan. The reason behind this- that it had been considered inappropriate for women to appear on stage- is now of course no longer valid. However, unlike in China where the dan roles are now usually played by women, and in Japan, where the onnagates are a rare breed, the female impersonator in Peranakan theatre still lives on!
I met the late Mr Gwee Peng Kwee during the twilight of his life. He was 81 years old, trapped with weakened limbs and dimming eyesight but his mind was brilliant with memories of his youth, his passion for music and dance, and most of all, his superlative gift of composing dondang sayang verses.