TUMPAT: At 80, Tiew Eh Tok, affectionately known as Pak Cu, is a much sought-after musician in the performing arts community here.
Pak Chu, who plays the Malay traditional instrument serunai (wind instrument), is often seen at traditional performances of wayang kulit and mak yong in the state.
Pak Chu said it was his drive and passion that prompted him to pick up the instrument.
“When I was a baby, my mother soothed me with tunes from mak yong.
“The music is like second nature to me.
“When I was a teenager, I bought a serunai and started playing other musical instruments.
“I spent time playing with different musical instruments.”
Pak Chu said he taught himself how to play the serunai.
“I also spent a lot of time at wayang kulit and mak yong performances in the village and nearby areas,” he said at his home in Kampung Padang Lati, Wakaf Bharu, here.
Pak Cu spent an hour showing his skills playing various traditional percussion and wind instruments, such as gendang, gedombak, gong, kesi and serunai.
The father of five said his deep interest in the instruments saw him travelling to Kuala Lumpur where he worked at a traditional music gallery in Central Market.
Pak Cu said songs in Malay traditional performing arts carried unique elements, which were associated with scenes and characters such as battles, hunting, warriors, flower picking, king’s procession, bathing and lullabies.
“I welcome those who want to learn how to play these instruments,” he said, adding that there were interested individuals who had expressed their wish to learn from him.
“I charge nothing, but if they want to make a contribution, I leave it to them.
“What I have is just a modest knowledge of the instruments, so it is my honour to pass it on,” he said.
