THE popularity of the classic Teochew Puppetry and Opera show is now declining due to various challenges.
Once a widely famous stage performance in any of the Chinese community celebrations, this traditional art form is losing much of its lustre.
The Covid-19 economic impact, inheritance issue and lack of funds are part of the challenges the opera show is facing.
In Penang, the legacy and cultural heritage of the Teochew Puppetry and Opera Show is still carried on by Penang Teochew Puppet and Opera House, through its determination and grit.
In an exclusive interview with Buletin Mutiara recently, Ling Goh, who is a fourth-generation Teochew Opera performer, related that it was not an easy task to handle the stage performance for a few decades.
“You need to have self-determination, passion and interest to learn all these sets of skills in handling the puppet show when on the stage.
“Most of the youngsters are not so passionate about or keen on learning all this as it takes them a few years to master it.
“For me, I’ve been raised in the troupe’s family and I don’t have any qualms about it.
“We need to pass on this traditional art from one generation to the next. It’s worth for the young generation to learn the skills,” she said.
According to Ling Goh, her mother Toh Ai Hwa, who was founder of the now-defunct Kim Giak Low Choon Puppet Troupe, has been instrumental to the troupe’s success.
“Hopefully by this year, I can publish her biography, detailing her journey and obstacles since she started.
“It will feature her knowledge and experiences for the people to understand her sacrifices,” she added.
Toh, 72, shared her side of story, saying that she had grown up in the Teochew Opera troupe.
“I had travelled all over the country with my family and even performed in other places.
“I had picked up the learning skills when I was small and the rest was history,” said the soft-spoken Toh.
When asked why she did not want to take a rest, Toh pointed out that she has already been accustomed to it.
“I’ve been going all over places since I was small, so that’s fine with me,” she said.
Goh Lih Tat, who is the brother of Ling Goh, said he has been learning the skills since he was five years old.
“When I was a child, I did not really understand its significant value.
“However, when I grew up, I began to appreciate the cultural value of the stage performance.
“It’s an honour for me to be part of this art,” he said.
GTWHI general manager Dr Ang Ming Chee, who was present to hand over an award and appreciation certificate to Ling Goh, told Buletin Mutiara that such contributions must be valued.
“Respect and recognition must be given to them for their efforts all this while.
“It’s important to pass the knowledge and tradition from one generation to another,” she said.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan