A Wonderful Inaugural Hari Seni Sentosa

Some 40 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) attended Hari Seni Sentosa at the Sentosa Janda Baik Resort (SJB) in Bentong, Pahang. The venue organizer, Omar Ariffin, and his wife, Suraya Nordin, collaborated with Janda Baik Festival and Nak Seni, to turn the art event into a reality. The event activities and art-related workshops were curated especially for the PWDs. It was a commendable effort. According to Omar, the main objective of Hari Seni Sentosa was about inclusivity. Art events are usually not PWD-friendly and much less PWD-inclusive. Challenges can be as basic as a lack of PWD facilities.

What was great is that Sentosa Janda Baik, as the venue for this art festival especially for PWDs, is equipped with ramp installations, wide meandering paths and spacious washrooms. “We set out to engage and build a PWD community through art, to foster a sense of belonging for them here at SJB. This can be their safe place for artistic expression and interaction,” said Omar. The mental and physical well-being of PWDs are very important. Take Zhariff Afandi for example … the organizer of Janda Baik Festival and one of the partners of Hari Seni Sentosa. He’s a driving force of nature! Being born without hands has not stopped him living life to the fullest. One cannot help but admire him for his grit and determination.

It was a passionate collaboration. Nak Seni is a group that aims to elevate the status of PWDs through art. Amani Shahrin of Nak Seni led the Hari Seni Sentosa guest committee by identifying PWD guests comprising various categories: physically/mentally/intellectually disabled: arranging their invitations, transportation and activities.

As for Zhariff’s event, Janda Baik Festival is an art and music event that took place during the same weekend as Hari Seni Sentosa, not far from SJB. For Hari Seni Sentosa, Zhariff arranged for singer Sheila Majid to do a meet-and-greet with the PWD guests, much to their delight. They absolutely adored her! Sheila too was so taken in that she invited them all to sing along to the chorus of her hit song ‘Sinaran’.

Zhariff also asked Sheila to share with her audience how she first found footing in the music industry. Sheila spoke her mind openly and imparted lessons on self-esteem and discipline.

Self-taught artist Shazwani Rhosky Fadzir, 40, attended the event with her father who has mobility issues due to a spinal injury. A PWD herself, Shazwani was happy to get to know other PWDs and make new friends. “But I have to say that my favorite part of the day was seeing Sheila Majid up close and personal during the meet-and-greet!” said Shazwani. “I found her words really inspiring especially the part when she said, we need to trust ourselves, know our strengths and enhance them.”

As the host of SJB, Omar led the guests for a tour of its magnificent grounds. Nature is therapeutic especially when one is surrounded by lush greenery, sensory gardens with fragrant plants and tactile features and even lily ponds with quacking ducks! A feast for the eyes were the artefacts and exhibits in the wooden Malay houses turned art galleries. These are the precious collections from all around the world during the travels of Omar’s father, Tan Sri Kamarul Ariffin. At SJB’s Islamic Gallery on Hari Seni Sentosa, young PWD artist Aaina Farhanah was thrilled to introduce her first ever solo exhibition, Conteng, to the audience. Fifteen of this young artist’s artwork were on display for two weeks.

A botanical bundle dye workshop was an enjoyable session for the participants. It was particularly relaxing as the participants gave their full focus to their art, to the sounds of chirping birds and trickling water. Fitting right into the theme of the day was Masitah Babjan of Syiborisyd who used all-natural dyes during her bundle dye workshop. These dyes are acquired using processes that are sustainable and environmentally friendly, unlike synthetic dyes. At the workshop, each participant was given a blank cotton tote bag which they bundle-dyed under the gentle guidance of Masitah and her team. Unravelling the bundles was the best part of this session. So many oohs and aahs were heard as each participant discovered unique designs on each tote bag.

For the PWDs who loved to draw and paint, they thoroughly immersed themselves in art therapy via a ‘batik’ workshop led by Suria Artisan Batik. One of the participants, Low Mee Li, shared, “I found the session to be very pleasing as it was held in a beautiful and calm environment. This is my first time participating in such an activity.”

As for Wan Mastura Wan Mahmood who brought her 27-year old daughter Ili Qistina Zulkiflee, she said Ili enjoyed the batik painting session. “Actually, we have participated in art workshops for PWDs before, but the difference is this environment. The outdoor venue makes the event more interesting and calming for the participants. In fact, I would say that the activities throughout the day were well-coordinated. Well done to the organizer.”

Sound was also used as a platform for therapy on Hari Seni Sentosa. Zarul Albakri from OurBodySound, conducted a half hour sound journey where participants were asked to close their eyes and focus on different sounds. He generated soothing sounds from windchimes to flute trills to using his own vocal toning technique. “We all comprise of molecules and molecules react to reverberations of sounds,” said Zarul whose own mobility was affected by polio since he was a year old. His path to healing led him to discover holistic methods, including sound therapy. “Not everyone is mentally strong to navigate stress and trauma in their lives. Sometimes we need a bit of help, such as the healing power of sound. Nothing fancy. If you cover your ears, you can even hear the sound of your breathing which is calming.”

As for Raja Iskandar Raja Mansur of #artattackingrajais, he decided on gunny sacks as his art medium for Hari Seni participants and called it The Karung Guni Initiative. As someone who deeply cares about the environment, Raja finds it such a waste to discard gunny sacks after they’re emptied of contents. Gunny sacks are made of sturdy material, and they are biodegradable. They make a strong base fabric for swatches, that can be turned into upholstery, floor mats and throw cushions. Raja, who believes in his motto of ‘Art to Heal’, finds beauty in the ordinary. “The Karong Guni story mirrors my own life journey as a PWD. I suffered a stroke eight years ago. From being someone who was able-bodied to having to battle paralysis, I fell into deep bouts of depression,” he shared. Through art, he discovered a powerful tool for transformation. By applying his creativity, he found that he could bring new life to his afflictions and redefine his identity; just like the Karung Guni.

Also contributing to this event were Armin Iliyas for video content, Cero PJ for audio visuals, Wan Ramlah Wan Hussein for cooking the scrumptious lunch and tea for the PWDs at Rasa Sentosa Café, as well as Sri Pengantin Resort for their discounted rates in providing accommodation for the event organizers and workshop volunteers.

It is indeed wonderful that such events are held and it’s inspiring to see what can be achieved with effort. So many of us sit and lament about our lives and what happens to us but the PWDs try to live life fully even though most things are harder for them. Kudos to everyone involved! It was a great event and well-done job indeed.

For more information, please contact Sentosa Janda Baik at 012 626 6259 or email sentosajandabaik@gmail.com.

*For more information on persons mentioned above, do check out these IG accounts:
Sentosa Janda Baik @sentosajandabaik
Janda Baik Festival @zhariff_afandi
NakSeni @naksenidotcom
SuriaArtisanBatik @suriaartisanbatik
Zarul Al-Bakri @ourbodysound
Mastisah Natural Dyes @syiborisyd
Raja Iskandar The Karung Guni Initiative #ArtAttackingRajaIs @raja_iskandar_