The Awakening

It is said that even a decaying tree will provide shade and a wilting flower will still send forth fragrance. So remember, there is always value in every life. And come Nov 8 and 9 2008, Minorco Sdn Bhd. will bring this message across with The Awakening at the Plenary Hall in the KL Convention Center, Kuala Lumpur.

The charity show will showcase the talents of 27 Chinese performers from the China Disabled People’s Performing Art Troupe.

“The Awakening will be an inspiration to all. If these artistes can be what they are despite their handicaps, then why can’t we, who are in full possession of our faculties, achieve more?

Enchanting: Be mesmerised by fluid moves in The Soul of A Peacock at the concert.

“True, that life is not always fair or that it can sometimes be hard but as these artistes have proven, there are many ways to surmount life’s obstacles,” said Miliee Kassim, 50, of Minorco.

In a video conference, Tai Lihua, the president and art director of China Disabled People’s Performing Art Troupe, spoke through sign language and said that the troupe was established in 1987.

Tai, who became deaf at the age of two, said a training centre helped the troupe prepare the performers in practice, training, and choreography for international tours.

Special methods, like training deaf dancers to move to the feel vibrations from musical instruments were employed in their training.

Among the seven dances performed by this troupe will be the Boddhisatva Avoliketsvara, which will feature a line up of 21 dancers standing on a lotus stage and appearing as if there is only one person with a thousand hands.

One of many intriguing scenes: A scenario from the concert which is titled Yellow Earth.

“This dance is a performance by the deaf. As we have no other way of expressing the beauty of our internal world, we will use our arms and legs to express our feelings for truth, compassion, and beauty,” revealed Tai of this dance.

For the Malaysian performance, the lead dancer for Boddhisatva Avoliketsvara will be 16-year-old Wei Yujie, who was inspired to join the troupe after watching Tai perform. Like Tai, Wei is also deaf.

“The last thing these performers want is your pity,” stressed Miliee on behalf of the troupe.

Instead, she pointed out that focus should be on the dancers’ talents and performances.

Lead dancer: Sixteen-year-old Wei Yujie will be among the cast of 27 dancers for The Awakening.

“I want people to think out of the box, to realise that disabled people are also as capable as those with full faculties given the proper guidance and training.

“More often than not, the disabled are given generous amounts of pity but very little feedback on how they can improve their situations and surroundings so that they too can lead independent lives. The troupe’s achievement is a testament of what the disabled are capable of. It will be an eye opener,” said Miliee.

This performance marks the troupe’s 4th visit to Malaysia. They have toured the Middle East, Europe and North America extensively in the past and were front-lined at the Beijing Paralympics this year.

Proceeds from The Awakening will go towards the operating expenses of the Amriteswari Foundation centers in Kampung Bunga Melor in Puchong, Taman Tasik Semenyih in Semenyih and Penang.

These facilities will provide tuition classes, skills and vocational training for school dropouts and single parents. In addition to social welfare services, seminars on self empowerment and stress management will also be conducted.

On a mission: Miliee Kassim has targeted 2,900 tickets to be sold each night so that she can fulfil her pledge to two charities.

Revenue from ticket sales will also benefit SJK (C) Chen Moh in Old Town Petaling Jaya as aid will be channelled towards the construction of a new block consisting of 18 classrooms, 2 science labs, 2 computer labs, 1 library and an administrative centre. A fun fair will be held at the school grounds on Nov 9 and the troupe will be making a special appearance at 10am to sign autographs and mingle with the crowd.

To fulfil these pledges a target of 2,900 tickets has to be sold each night. For this, Miliee forwards a simple message to donors, well wishers and the general public. “We hope that you will help us so that we will be able to help these children,” she said.

Local talents who are physically challenged from Deaf Beat, Creative Stars and Rentak Reko, will also be performing at this concert.

Tickets for The Awakening show are priced at RM248, RM188, RM138, RM98 and RM60. For more information, call 012-310 6398.