Academic
Research Papers
- “Revival of an Ancient Tradition: The Mak Yong Dance Theatre of Malaysia“. Culture Learning Institute Report (East West Centre, Honolulu), 4,3 (August 1976), pp4-5, 11&13.
- “Barong” in Bali in Pesta Pulau Pinang. Special Publication, Penang, December 1979, pp.9.
- “Wayang Wong” in Bali in Pesta Pulau Pinang. Special Publication, Penang, December 1979, pp.10-11.
- “Nora Chatri in Kedah”. Journal of the Malaysian Branch, Royal Asiatic Society, Vol. IV, Part I (1982), pp.53-61.
- “The Play of Shadows: Hindu Elements in the Malay Wayang Kulit Siam“. The India Magazine (New Delhi), Vol.3, No.1 (December 1982), pp.32-39.
- “Mak Yong, The Ancient Malay Dance Theatre“. Asian Studies (Manila), Vol.XX (April, August, December 1982), pp.108-121.
- “Malaysia-Singapore Drama in English: Themes and Styles” in Bruce Bennet, Ee Tiang Hong and Ron Sheppard (ed), The Writer’s Sense of the Contemporary: Papers in Southeast Asian and Australian Literature. Nedlands, Western Australia: The Centre for Studies in Australian Literature, University of Western Australia, 1982, pp.21-25.
- “Mak Yong: The Ancient Malay Dance Theatre“. Hansa (Kuala Lumpur), November 1982, pp.8-14.
- “Feasting of the Spirits: The Berjamu Ritual Performance in the Kelantanese Wayang Kulit Siam“. Kajian Malaysia, (Journal of Malaysian Studies, Penang), 1, 1(June 1982), pp.95-115.
- “Buka Panggung: Theatre Consecretion Rituals in the Mak Yong Dance Theatre of Kelantan, Malaysia“. Tenggara 16 (1983), pp.55-72.
- “Ramayana Branch Stories in the Wayang Siam Shadow Play in Malaysia” in K.R. Srinivasa Iyengar (ed). Asian Variations in Ramayana. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi, 1983, pp.296-323.
- “Traditional Theatre in Southeast Asia“. Performing Arts (Singapore), No.2 (July 1985), pp.37-49.
- “Parsi Theatre in Malaysia“. Sangeet Natak (new Delhi), No. 85-86 (July-December 1986), pp.5-22.
- “Bangsawan: the Malay Opera“. Tenggara 20 (1987), pp.3-20.
- “Thespis Among the Malays” in Proceedings, International Meeting of the Ancient Greek Drama, Delphi, 4-21 June 1985. Athens: European Cultural Centre at Delphi, 1987, pp.303-311.
- “A Previously Unknown Version of the Ramayana from Kedah, Malaysia“. In D.P.Sinha and S.Sahai (ed). Ramayana Traditions and National Cultures Asia. Lucknow: Directorate of Cultural Affairs and Government of Uttar Pradesh, 1989, pp.131-137.
- “Tarnishing Gold: The Feudal Hero in Contemporary Malay Drama“. In Kirpal Singh (ed). The Writer’s Sense of the Past: Essays on Southeast Asian and Australasian Literature. Singapore: Singapore National University Press Ltd., 1987, pp.34-45.
- “The Shadow Play in Southeast Asia: Origins, General Characteristics and Performance Techniques” in The Arts (Centre for the Arts, National University of Singapore) Issue No.5, December 1997, pp.11-17.
- “The Shadow Play in Southeast Asia: The Shadow Play Styles of the Region” in The Arts (Centre for the Arts, National University of Singapore) Issue No.6, April 1998, pp.19-24.
- “The Malay-Indonesian Shadow Play as a Manifestation of Cultural Continuities” in Tirai Panggung. Jurnal Seni Persembahan, Pusat Kebudayaan, Universiti Malaya, Jilid 5, (2002), ms 1-16.
- “The Continuing Significance of Epics and their Manifestations in the Arts” in Ghulam-Sarwar Yousof (ed). Reflections on Asian-European Epics. Singapore: Asia-Europe Foundation, 2004, pp.1-11.
- “The Ramayana and the Mahabharata as Sources of Repertoire in Traditional Southeast Asian Theatre” in Ghulam-Sarwar Yousof (ed). Reflections on Asian-European Epics. Singapore: Asia-Europe Foundation, 2004. pp.302-329.
- “Religious and Spiritual Values in Kalidasa’s Shakuntala” in Katha: The Official Journal of the Centre for Civilisational Dialogue, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Inaugural Issue, 2005. pp.21-39.
- “Search for Traditional Theatre in Southeast Asia: A Personal Odyssey” in Edwin Thumboo (ed). Perceiving Other Worlds. Singapore: Intl Specialized Book Service Inc. pp.100-110.
- “The Shadow Play as a Continuing, Changing Tradition” in Faridah Noor Mohd Noor (Editor). Dimensions of the Shadow Play in Malay Civilisation. Kuala Lumpur: Centre for Civilisational Dialogue, University of Malaya, 2006, pp.1-16.
- “Islamic Elements in Traditional Indonesian and Malay Theatre” Kajian Malaysia, Journal of the School of Humanities, University Sains Malaysia, Vol 28, No. 1 ( 2010), pp.83-101.
- “Tradition and Sundering with Tradition: Mak Yong from Traditional to Tinsel Theatre and Beyond” Tirai Panggung, Performing Arts Journal, Cultural Centre, University of Malaya, Vol 10 (2010), pp.45-61.
- “The Story of the Conch Shell Prince in Traditional Malay Theatre” SSEASR Journal, Vol 5 (2011), pp.21-32.
Taiping Lake Gardens
International Conference/ Seminar Papers
- “Recent Malaysian-Singapore Drama in English: Problems & Prospects“. New drama in English Conference, Canberra, Australia, 1979.
- “Ramayana Branch Stories in the Wayang Siam Shadow Play of Malaysia“. International Seminar on Variations in ramayana: Their cultural, Social and Anthropological Significance. New Delhi, 1981.
- “A Separate Truth: Themes and Styles in Contemporary Malaysian-Singapore English Language Drama“. Southeast Asian and Australian Literature Seminar, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Perth, Western Australia, 1982.
- “The Ritual Context of Traditional Malay Theatre“. Asian Theatre Festival and Conference, Manila, 1983.
- “Tarnishing Gold: The feudal Hero in Modern Malay Drama“. Southeast Asian and Australian Literature Seminar, Singapore, 1984.
- “Thespis Among the Malays“. International Meeting of Ancient Greek Drama. Delphi, Greece, 1985.
- “Preservation of Traditional Malay Theatre, with special reference to Bangsawan“. ASEAN Interaction, Australian and New Zealand Association of Arts and Sciences (ANZAAS) Festival of Science, Melbourne, 1985.
- “Preliminary Proposal for the Establishment of Community Resource Centres“. 9th National Conference of the Musicological Society of Australia, Monash University, Melbourne, 1985.
- “Sita Dewi Forsworn: An Uttarakanda Episode in the Malay Wayang Kulit Siam“. 2nd International Seminar Ramayana Conference, Bangkok, 1986.
- “A Previously Unknown Version of the Ramayana from Kedah, Malaysia“. International Seminar on Ramayana Traditions and National Cultures in Asia. Lucknow, India, 1986.
- “The Malay-Indonesian Shadow Play as a Manifestation of Cultural Continuities“. Seminar on Tradition: A Continual Renewal. New Delhi, 1987.
- “Malaysian and Southeast Asian Theatre“. Festival of Hungry Ghosts Celebration. Adelaide, 1988.
- “Search for Traditional Theatre in Southeast Asia: A Personal Odyssey“. Seminar on Perceiving Other Cultures, National University of Singapore, 1989.
- “Indigenous Mythology and Traditional Malay Theatre“. International Seminar on Southeast Asian Traditional Performing Arts: the State of the Art, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 1992.
- “The Dewa Muda Story: its Significance in Mak Yong and Main Puteri Performances- Spiritual and Non-Spiritual“. Mak Yong Seminar, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 1995.
- “On the Possible Origins of the Malay Shadow Play and its Relationship with the Shadow Plays of Southeast Asia“. SEMEO-SPAFA Symposium on History of the Performing Arts in Southeast Asia. Kuala Lumpur, 1997.
- “Images of Europe in Asia” Conference on Images of Asia in Europe and Images of Europe in Asia. Asia-Europe Foundation, Danish Cultural Centre, Copenhagen, 1999.
- “Preservation of Traditional Heritage: Some Challenges“. Anst
- “The Continuing Significance of Epics and their Manifestations in the Arts” International Seminar on Asian-European Epics. University of Malaya, 2002.
- “The Ramayana and the Mahabharata as Sources of Repertoire in Traditional Southeast Asian Theatre“. Interntional Seminar on Asian-European Epics. University of Malaya, 2002.
- “Reflections on Poetry and the Self“. Writer’s Talk. National University of Singapore. 2004.
- “The Malay Shaow Play as a Continuing but Changing Tradition” International Shadow Play Conference. Civilisational Dialogue & Museum of Asian Art, Kuala Lumpur, 2004.
- “Ruminations on the Origins and Functins of the Mak Yong Dance Theatre” International Seminar on Asian Theatre: Tradition, Modernity and Innovation in Asian Theatre, University of Malaya, 2004.
- “Curent State of Malaysian Puppetry“. Puppets-Facing the Interior-Memory, Recovery and Transposition: the Asian Experience. UNESCO-APPAN Puppetry Symposium and Festival. Bangkok, 2004.
- “Malaysian Shadow Play” Performance Studies International: PSI 10: Performance State Interrogate. Singapore Management Univeristy, 2004.
- “The 1969 Crisis as Turning Point: the Search for a Malaysian Literary Identity“. 11th Biennial Symposium on the Literatures and Cultures of the Asia-Pacific Region/ Literatures in Englishes and Their Centres: perceiving from the Inside. National University of Singapore. 2005.
- “From Kampung to Istana Budaya: transformation of Mak Yong: An Ancient Form of Malay Theatre“. International Traditional Theatre Fesival: The Moment of Insight. National Arts Academy, Kuala Lumpur, 2006.
- “The Story of the Golden Shell Prince in Traditional Malay Theatre”. 2nd SSEASR Conference on Syncretism in South and Southeast Asia: Adoption and Adaptation. Bangkok, 2007.
- “Tradition and Sundering with Tradition: Mak Yong from Traditional to Tinsel Theatre and Beyond”. PACIA 08, International Conference on Performing Arts as Creative Industries in Asia. Cultural Centre, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 2008.
- “Indigenous Beliefs, Mythology and Folk Islam: The Malaysian Context, with Special Reference to Traditional Malay Theatre”. International Folklore Conference. Department of Oriya, Visva-Bharati University, in collaboration with Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore, Shantineketan, India, 18-20 February 2008.
- “Ramayana in Southeast Asian Performing Arts”. Ramayana: Ramkatha: Ankan, Manchan aur Vachan. Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi, India, March 12-20 2008.
- “Islamic Elements in Traditional Southeast Asian Theatre”. Colours of Indian Islamic Culture: Together with Faith” (Hind Islami Tahzeeb ke Rang: Aqeedat ke Sang). Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi, India, 1-8 April 2008.
- “The South Asian Impact upon Traditional Malay Theatre”. Global Congress on World’s Religions after September 11—An Asian Perspective. Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi. January 17-19 2009.
- “Mak yong and the Notion of Malayness”. Imagined Communities Revisited: Identity, Nationalism and Globalisation in Asia-Pacific Literatures and Cultures Conference. Department of English, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, November 20-23 2009.
- “Ramayana in Southeast Asian Traditional Theatre Performances: Adaptation and Localization”. International Conference Ramayana: Retelling, Representation and Reinterpretation in Asia. Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore, July 17-18 2010.
- “The Mak yong Dance Theatre as Spiritual Heritage: Some Insights”. Keynote Paper presented at the SPAAFA International Seminar on The Mak Yong Spiritual Dance Heritage: Seminar and Performances. Thammasat University, Bangkok, Thailand, September 20-21 2011.
- “Puppetry as a Manifestation of Cultural Traditions of a Nation”. Union Internationales de la Marionettes (UNIMA) International Seminar. SENAWANGI Jakarta, Indonesia, October 17-18 2011 .
- “Southeast Asian Puppetry: Convergences and Divergences”. Keynote Paper presented at the International Seminar of ASEAN Puppetry: Tradition and Modernity. ASEAN Puppetry Association (APA) and the University of Malaya Cultural Centre, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, November 2-3 2011.
Academic Books
- Ceremonial and Decorative Crafts of Penang. Penang: State Museum, 1986.
- Bibliography of Traditional Theatre in Southeast Asia. Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 1991.
- Panggung Semar: Aspects of Traditional Malay Theatre. Kuala Lumpur: Tempo Publishing (M) Sdn. Bhd., 1992.
- Dictionary of Traditional Southeast Asian Theatre. Kuala Lumpur: Oxford University Press, 1994.
- Anging Wayang: Biography of a Master Puppeteer. Kuala Lumpur: Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism, 1997.
- Angin Wayang: Biografi Seorang Dalang yang Unggul. Kuala Lumpur: Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism, 1997.
- The Malay Shadow Play: An Introduction. Penang: the Asian Centre, 1997.
- Reflections on Asian-European Epics. (ed by Ghulam-Sarwar Yousof). Singapore: Editions Didier Millet, Archipelago Press, 2004.
- Panggung Inu: Aspects of Traditional Malay Theatre. Singapore: National University of Singapore Cultural centre, 2004.
- Encyclopedia of Malaysia. Vol 8, Performing Arts. Editor: Ghulam-Sarwar Yousof. Singapore: Archipelago Press. Editions Didier Millet, 2004.
- Heritage of ASEAN Puppetry. Jakarta: Sena Wangi, 2013.
- Issues in Traditional Malaysian Culture: Singapore: Strafford, 2013; Partridge 2014.
- Selected Papers on Traditional Malay Theatre. (Tokoh Melayu Series). Kuala Lumpur, 2014.
- Puppetry for all Times: Papers presented at the Bali Seminar on Puppetry in 2013. Bali, Indonesia: House of Masks and Puppets (Rumah Topeng) and Partridge, Singapore, 2014.
- Indian and South East Asian Themes in Traditional Theatre. Bengaluru India: Pragati Graphics, 2015.
Monographs
- Muslim Festivals: Essence and Observance. Islamic Information Centre, Malayan Pakistani League, Penang, 1989.
- Traditional Theatre in Southeast Asia: An Introduction. Penang: Cultural Centre, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 1993. Monographs on Southeast Asian Cultures series.
- Mak Yong Theatre of Kelantan, Malaysia: An Introduction. Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Cultural Heritage Centre Berhad, 2011.
Literary Books
- Perfumed Memories. Singapore: Graham Brash Pte Ltd., 1982.
- Mirror of a Hundred Hues: A Miscellany. Penang: The Asian Cultural Heritage Centre, 2001.
- Halfway Road, Penang. Penang. Teks Publishing Company, (1982). Reprinted by The Asian Cultural Heritage Centre, Penang, 2002.
- Jalan Sekerat, Pulau Pinang. Penang: Teks Publishing Company, 1982.
- Songs for Shooting Stars: Mystical Poems. Lauriat Press, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, 2011.
- Transient Moments: Selected Poems. Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Centre, 2012.
- The Trial of Hang Tuah the Great. Singapore: Partridge, 2014.
- Tok Dalang and Stories of Other Malaysians. Singapore: Partridge, 2014.
- The Asian Centre Anthology of Malaysian Poetry in English. (Edited by Ghulam-Sarwar Yousof). Singapore: Partridge, 2014.
- Suvarna-Padma, The Golden Lotus. Singapore: Partridge, 2015.
- Sacred Rain. Singapore: Partridge, 2015.
General Book
- One Hundred and One Thing Malay. Singapore: Partridge, 2015.
Chapters in Books
- “Traditional Teater Melayu; Satu Pengenalan”. Bab 2 Apresiasi Seni Teater Malaysia. (edited by. Said Halim Said Nong). Kuala Lumpur, Cultural Centre, Universiti Malaya, 2009, pp27-50.
- “Ramayana in the Malaysian Wayang Kulit Siam” in Ramayana in Focus Visual and Performing Arts of Asia. (edited by Gauri Parimoo Krishnan). Singapore: Asian Civilisations Museum, 2010. pp 134-143.
Entries in Encyclopedia of Malaysia, Vol 8, Performing Arts. Editor: Ghulam-Sarwar Yousof. Singapore: Archipelago Press. Editions Didier Millet, 2004.
- Introduction pp6-7
- Origins and History of Performing Arts in Malaysia pp10-11
- Belief Systems of Traditional Theatre pp12-13
- Story-telling and Elementary Theatre pp14
- Story-telling and Solo Theatre pp15
- Puppet Theatre pp22-23
- Malay Shadow Theatre in Southeast Asia pp24-25
- Wayang Kulit Siam: the Kelantan Shadow Play pp26-27
- Wayang Kulit Siam: the Dalang, his Puppets and Stories pp28-29
- Wayang Kulit Gedek, Melayu and Purwa pp30-31
- Mak Yong: Ancient Folk Theatre pp38-39
- Operatic Genres pp52-53
- Theatre as Ritual, Ritual as Theatre pp60-61
- Healing Performance pp62-63
- Mak Yong as Ritual pp64-65
- Wayang Kulit Siam as Ritual pp66-67
- Court Patronage of the Performing Arts pp88-89
- Mak Yong’s Court Sojourn pp94-95
- Islam and the Performing Arts pp96-97
- Middle Eastern Influences in Traditional Malay Theatre pp98-99
- Malay Vocal Music pp100-101
- Boria pp104
- Contemporary Performing Arts pp106-107
- Arts Organizations and their Contributions pp124-125
- Teaching and Research in the Performing Arts pp126-127
- Malay Films and Television Dramas pp128-129
Entries in Encyclopedia of Malaysia, Vol 12, Peoples and Traditions. Editor: Hood Salleh. Singapore: Archipelago press, Editions Didier Millet, 2006.
- Malay Traditions (co-author with Wan Hashim Wan The) pp32-33
- Cross Cultural Influences pp134-135
- Common Identity and Cultural Fusion pp136-137
- Malaysia and World Culture pp 138-139
Entries in Encyclopedia of Malaysia, Vol 14 Crafts and Visual Arts. Editor: Syed Ahmad Jamal. Singapore: Archipelago Press, Editions Didier Millet, 2007.
- Recreational and Ceremonial Crafts pp94-95
- Puppetry pp96-97
- Malay Kites and Tops pp98-99
- Chinese and Indian Religious Art and Crafts pp102-102
Entries in Encyclopedia of Malaysia, Vol 15 Sports and Recreation. Editor: Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid. Singapore: Archipelago Press, Editions Didier Millet, 2008.
- Traditional Games and Pastimes pp14
- Top Spinning pp16
- Kite Flying pp18
Other entries in New Groves Dictionary of Music and Musicians.
Monographs
- Muslim Festivals: Essence and Observance. Islamic Information Centre, Malayan Pakistani League, Penang, 1989.
- Traditional Theatre in Southeast Asia: An Introduction. Penang: Pusat Seni, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 1993. Monographs on Southeast Asian Cultures series.
- Mak Yong Theatre of Kelantan, Malaysia: An Introduction. Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Cultural Heritage Centre Berhad, 2011.