Behind-the-Scenes: Baba baa | Exclusive Interviews

Rasa Sayang Sing-and-Record Fun Book

Over the past month or so, Orchan has been supporting an intriguing and very relevant project – a children’s book. Not your usual children’s story book, but a curated resource of traditional Malaysian folksongs for our youngest generation to learn. Given Malaysia’s multi-ethnic populace, and the immense inter-twining of cultural heritage over the centuries, a resource such as this for young children is a blessing – an opportunity to learn songs that our own parents and grandparents would have sung as children.

Strangely enough, although lots of similar resources for children can be found in English, Chinese, and other major international languages, no such opportunities exist in Malay. Our client decided to change this – initially for her own son to learn more about her Peranakan heritage, but also for other Malaysians to have exposure to these classics from childhood, and to provide a working, interactive resource for children to learn, ask questions, and develop story telling skills for.

This week, Lee Jiun, the resources’ curator was in town to do a few exclusive interviews with publications. Boss Craig (the white guy) sat through the interview with Oriental Daily (99% in Chinese – and he survived), and Orchanites Yi Jing and Fithri accompanied Lee Jiun to The Star, Kosmo!, Harian Metro, and MamaPapa for interviews and photoshoots. Lee Jiun’s son, Hugo came for a couple of the interviews – but I think he was more interested in the songs than the adults talking around him. But he did enjoy having his photo taken – future model in the making.

 

Rasa Sayang Sing-and-Record Fun Book is the first-ever push-button Malay folksong book. The book introduces an ensemble of traditional Malay folksongs, featuring seven (7) Nusantara folksongs namely Rasa Sayang, Chan Mali Chan, Burung Kakak Tua, Anak Itik Tok Wi, Lenggang Kangkung, Bengawan Solo, and Gelang Sipaku Gelang for the kids.

Besides the conventional push-and-play button for pre-recorded songs, the book also features a ‘record’ button to record parents’ singing, and a ‘playback’ button to listen to the recording – allowing for parent-child interaction even when parents are occupied.

 

As children are receptive not only to music but illustrations as well, award-winning illustrator, Aditya Pratama was engaged to translate the Nusantara folksongs into stunning artwork. The creative and vibrant illustrations from cover-to-cover serve as an attraction for children to stimulate their imagination, and to develop learning potential, as they read and listen to the folksongs.

“I’ve had fond memories with my parents who sang these folksongs to and with me when I was little; and to this day, I remember the different values these songs have taught me. Besides cultural, there is a familial connection to this experience as well. With that in mind, I hope this book will not only instil good values in children and remind them of their cultural heritage, but also for parents to build a relationship with their children in this modern world,” Lee Jiun said.

An academic at heart, Craig abandoned educating graduates-to-be, only to find himself coaching entrepreneurs instead. Passionate, competent and dedicated at his career as a business consultant, Craig is adept at writing, and solving the most complex of situations. Having joined the industry for more than ten years, Craig, as the current Managing Director at Orchan Consulting Asia, splits his time between providing compelling consultancy, and brainwashing interns into professional food-delivery staff.