Hang Tuah Animation On The Cards

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - The Information Communication and Culture Ministry will adapt the Hikayat Hang Tuah (The Epic of Hang Tuah) into an animation series, including possibly a full-length animation film to promote the legendary Malay warrior's saga at the international arena.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said for a start, the ministry would hold a discussion with animation experts and identify the team for the project.

"If the Malays especially do not have pride in Hang Tuah's legend, then it would be a waste because the English literature has Camelot and the Chinese literature has over 222 legends," he told reporters after declaring open the "Hang Tuah: The Legendary Malay Warrior" exhibition at the National Library here.

Rais said there were plenty of compelling stories to tell from the era of the Melaka Sultanate especially concerning the ties with China, which he said, would provide a huge cast of characters that would incluide Admiral Cheng Ho, Princess Hang Li Po and Hang Tuah and his warrior peers.

"All these are ingredients for an engaging animation series," he said, adding that film animation producers should be allowed the opportunities to produce the series and to market them overseas.

He said the animation series would also incorporate positive values from the epic which could be a source of inspiration for today's society.

"It is important for the Epic of Hang Tuah to be made a national epic because it portrays positive values as well as the 1Malaysia values such as loyalty, trustworthiness and high degree of idealism," he said.

The exhibition, which takes place until Aug 31, is in conjunction with KL Festival 2010 and showcases illustrations, artefacts and books on Hang Tuah.

Source: http://www.bernama.com
Picture: http://ceritarakyatnusantara.com

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