Datuk Dr Faridah Merican: Pioneering Malaysia’s Performing Arts and Inspiring Generations
By Subaashinee Kupusamy,
4 OCTOBER: Datuk Dr Faridah Merican, often hailed as the First Lady of Malaysian theatre, has received the 2024 Merdeka Award in Education and Community for her contributions to the country’s performing arts and social-cultural awareness. At 85, with nearly seven decades of experience in acting, directing, and production, she remains dedicated to her craft.
Her journey began in 1989 when she co-founded The Actors Studio (TAS) with her husband, Joe Hasham. Their first theatre at Plaza Putra was destroyed by flash floods in 2003, but they persevered, building the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac) in 2005—Malaysia’s first fully-integrated arts centre.
Faridah believes the arts play a crucial role in shaping the nation’s identity. “Our goal is to create a cultured society. This isn’t just about the arts—it’s in all that we do, and the lives we touch,” she says, emphasizing the importance of fostering a culture of excellence and kindness from a young age.
Her impressive repertoire includes iconic plays like Lela Mayang, Uda Dan Dara, and Alang Rentak Seribu, but what truly sets her apart is her use of theatre to raise awareness about social issues, including gender equality, human rights, and environmental conservation. Productions like Adam The Musical (2010), in collaboration with the Malaysian AIDS Council, and the Life Sdn Bhd series, addressing topics such as human trafficking and mental health reflect her commitment to making a difference.
Through her mentorship at Tutas, Malaysia’s first performing arts conservatory, Faridah continues to inspire the next generation of actors. Her message to young Malaysians? “Keep learning and be good people” as stated in The Star.
About Author
