Gamelan

Imagine a Music that takes wing, plunging and diving like a playful swarm of fireflies. Music that takes wing with the audacity and magic of the mythical bird-like Garuda.

Imagine a “Music that flies”, like some mythical creature not bound by earthly constraints of time and space. Imagine this and know that the beauty of the music of the Gamelan is even beyond this vision.

Albert Combrink

Water

Water is the best of all things.

PINDAR (C. 522-C. 438 B.C.), Olympian Odes

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Water has become a highly precious resource. There are some places where a barrel of water costs more than a barrel of oil.

Lloyd Axworthy, Foreign Minister of Canada (1999 - News Conference)

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More than one-half of the world's major rivers are being seriously depleted and polluted, degrading and poisoning the surrounding ecosystems, thus threatening the health and livelihood of people who depend upon them for irrigation, drinking and industrial water

Ismail Serageldin, Chairman of the World Commission on Water for the 21st Century- Water Forum, Netherlands, November 30, 1999

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If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water.

LORAN EISELY, The Immense Journey, 1957

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All the water that will ever be is, right now.

National Geographic, October 1993

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If you gave me several million years, there would be nothing that did not grow in beauty if it were surrounded by water.

JAN ERIK VOLD, What All The World Knows, 1970

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Water is H2O, hydrogen two parts, oxygen one, but there is also a third thing, that makes water and nobody knows what that is.

D.H. LAWRENCE (1885-1930), Pansies, 1929

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Water has no taste, no color, no odor; it cannot be defined, art relished while ever mysterious. Not necessary to life, but rather life itself. It fills us with a gratification that exceeds the delight of the senses.

ANTOINE DE SAINT-EXUPERY (1900-1944), Wind, Sand, and Stars, 1939

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Water is the one substance from which the earth can conceal nothing; it sucks out its innermost secrets and brings them to our very lips.

JEAN GIRAUDOUX (1882-1944), The Madwomen of Chaillot, 1946

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When the well is dry, we know the worth of water.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, (1706-1790), Poor Richard's Almanac, 1746

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The crisis of our diminishing water resources is just as severe (if less obviously immediate) as any wartime crisis we have ever faced. Our survival is just as much at stake as it was at the time of Pearl Harbor, or the Argonne, or Gettysburg, or Saratoga

JIM WRIGHT, U.S. Representative, The Coming Water Famine, 1966

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High quality water is more than the dream of the conservationists, more than a political slogan; high quality water, in the right quantity at the right place at the right time, is essential to health, recreation, and economic growth.

EDMUND S. MUSKIE, U.S. Senator, speech, 1 March 1966

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Children of a culture born in a water-rich environment, we have never really learned how important water is to us. We understand it, but we do not respect it.

WILLIAM ASHWORTH, Nor Any Drop to Drink, 1982

Life's Inspiration

Ramadhan

"(It was) the month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Sawm (fasts) that month…"

~ [al-Baqarah 2:185]

"Allah is with those who restrain themselves."

~ [Quran 16: 128]

"He is the One GOD; the Creator, the Initiator, the Designer. To Him belong the most beautiful names. Glorifying Him is everything in the heavens and the earth. He is the Almighty, Most Wise."

~ [Quran 59:24]

"Allaah has made Laylat al-Qadr in this month, which is better than a thousand months, as Allaah says...The Night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)] by Allaah's Permission with all Decrees, there is peace until the appearance of dawn."

~ [al-Qadar 97:1-5]

"(Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (Should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (With hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more, of his own free will,- it is better for him. And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew"

~ [al-Baqarah, 2:184]

"O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint."

~ [al-Baqarah, 2:183]

BOY GENIUS

Aku lah Adi Putra
Melayu tidak pernah lupa

Aku berfikir rasional
Aku berfikir internasional

Hujan biarlah bertempat
Marah biar bersopan
Kurang ajar biarlah berbudi bahasa

Tersirat mereka tak nampak
Tersurat saja mereka lihat
Di mana silapnya

Ayuh bangsaku! Bangunlah...
Kita jadikan Melayu hebat dipersada dunia
Akulah model insan anak Melayu jati Wawasan 2020

Takkan Melayu hilang di dunia
Pantang Melayu menderhaka pada Sultannya

Mengapa bersembunyi diri di sebalik ibu pertiwi
sejengkalpun tanah ku di jajah
Biar puteh tulang jangan puteh mata

THE ROCKERS

Does anyone remember laughter?
Robert Plant

I may not believe in myself, but I believe in what I'm doing.
Jimmy Page

Years ago, I thought up the name Queen. It's just a name. But it's regal, obviously, and - sounds splendid.
Freddie Mercury

I'm very moved by Renaissance music, but I still love to play hard rock - though only if it's sophisticated and has some thought behind it.
Ritchie Blackmore



How can you consider flower power outdated? The essence of my lyrics is the desire for peace and harmony. That's all anyone has ever wanted. How could it become outdated?
Robert Plant

Excuse me while I kiss the sky.
Jimi Hendrix

A Samad Ismail

We cannot discuss the future of the Malay language without at the same time discussing the future of the Malay people...The history of the Malay language is the history of the Malay people. The future of the Malay language will be the future of the Malay people.

Malay writers, in particular must recognise their active responsibility.

History moulds man, but man in turn creates and mould history.

On Time magazine and the Readers’ Digest, “Is that your only window to the world?”

Poetry

Poetry is a deal of joy and pain and wonder, with a dash of the dictionary. ~Kahlil Gibran


Ink runs from the corners of my mouth
There is no happiness like mine.
I have been eating poetry.
~Mark Strand, "Eating Poetry," Reasons for Moving, 1968


There's no money in poetry, but then there's no poetry in money, either. ~Robert Graves, 1962 interview on BBC-TV, based on a very similar statement he overheard around 1955


Poetry is what gets lost in translation. ~Robert Frost


Imaginary gardens with real toads in them. ~Marianne Moore's definition of poetry, "Poetry," Collected Poems, 1951


A poem is never finished, only abandoned. ~Paul Valéry


He who draws noble delights from sentiments of poetry is a true poet, though he has never written a line in all his life. ~George Sand, 1851


Always be a poet, even in prose. ~Charles Baudelaire, "My Heart Laid Bare," Intimate Journals, 1864


Poets are soldiers that liberate words from the steadfast possession of definition. ~Eli Khamarov, The Shadow Zone

WORLD CUP 2010

The world and his wife enjoy the Olympics but the world, the cook, the thief, his wife and her lover are totally consumed by the World Cup.

Broadcaster Nicky Campbell.

Daddy

Everybody has a place here.

No grills. I will not live in a house with grills.

Fish and Chips, Na.

Thank you.

Daddy

The Club Life

If you have a small problem, you meet for tea at the Buttery.
A major problem, and you have dinner at the Orchid Room...

Anon

On the written word

Brevity is the soul of wit.
~William Shakespeare

There's nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein. ~Walter Wellesley "Red" Smith

The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say. ~Anaïs Nin

The act of putting pen to paper encourages pause for thought, this in turn makes us think more deeply about life, which helps us regain our equilibrium. ~Norbet Platt

Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart. ~William Wordsworth


The pages are still blank, but there is a miraculous feeling of the words being there, written in invisible ink and clamoring to become visible. ~Vladimir Nabakov

Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass. ~Anton Chekhov

Easy reading is damn hard writing. ~Nathaniel Hawthorne

I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions. ~James Michener

If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn't brood. I'd type a little faster. ~Isaac Asimov

Sudirman dalam ingatan

"Title is not the measurement of a man but by his contribution"
- Sudirman


"The dimunitive singer's popularity has gone from strength to strength, and he has visited almost every town in Malaysia, thrilling audiences with his dramatic stage act." - Patrick Teoh

"If Malaysia ever needs "people power", Sudirman can be counted to deliver."
- Malay Mail

"He now knows where he can go if he tires of Malaysia". - The Straits Times, Singapore

"I feel very saddened for the lost of someone that has blossomed the country in the entertainment world. His loss will be felt by the whole nation because during his lifetime he was loved by so many." - Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad

A Malaysian Footballer

Bintang Sukanku oleh Artis Rahimah Rahim

Ku Melihat Kau Berlari Di Padang Bola
Tepuk Sorak Yang Bergema Memuja-muja
Kau Mengejar Kau Dikejar Setiap Masa
Tapi Lawan Mu Tewas Juga

Kau Sudah
Menendang Dua Kosong Tak Balas
Ku Riang
Dan Bersorak-sorak Kegirangan

Berjuang...
Berjuang...
Berjuang...
Dalam Dunia Sukan Mu

Born in Setapak, Mokhtar showed interest in playing football at an early age. He played for his school and later for his home state, Selangor FA. He attended secondary school at Victoria Institution, Kuala Lumpur from 1966 to 1970 and established the Piala Mokhtar Dahari (Mokhtar Dahari Cup) which is still being played for until today. He was only 19 years-old when he first played for the Malaysia national football team in an international game. Mokhtar helped Selangor FA win the Malaysia Cup 10 times and scored 177 goals altogether. In international games, he helped the Malaysia national football team score a total of 125 goals in 167 caps. He was the best striker in Malaysia. His first game for Malaysia national football team was against Sri Lanka national football team in 1972.

The Merdeka Stadium was his second home. Mokhtar was famous for his speed, accuracy and dribbling. Roars of "Supermokh" was all over the crowds including the young generation who tried to imitate his move. Mokhtar once did the "The Goal of the Century" like Diego Maradona except Maradona weave through six players and Mokhtar only weave through 3 players.

Along with goalkeeper R Arumugam, defenders Santokh Singh and Soh Chin Aun, midfielders Reduan Abdullah and Shukor Salleh and Mokhtar's partner upfront Isa Bakar, Mokhtar Dahari's Selangor FA and Malaysia national football team were powerful forces in the '70s.

In 1975, he represented the Malaysia national football team against English giants Arsenal. Malaysia national football team won the game 2–0, with Mokhtar scoring both goals. After the game, Mokhtar was rumoured to have been offered a chance to play for the Gunners. He also famously scored a goal in a 1–1 draw against England in 1978, dribbling past half of the opposing team coached by Bobby Robson. Paul Mariner was on the scoresheet for England that day.

Wikipedia

On Bhopal

Too little too late for Bhopal.

Al-Jazeera

Laws: We know what they are and what they are worth! They are spider webs for the rich and mighty, steel chains for the poor and weak, fishing nets in the hands of the government.

Pierre-Joseph Proudhon

Justice Delayed, Denied.

The Times of India

YASSER ARAFAT

I come bearing an olive branch in one hand, and the freedom fighter's gun in the other. Do not let the olive branch fall from my hand.
Yasser Arafat

In order to obtain the goal of returning to Palestine, all of us sometimes have to grit our teeth.
Yasser Arafat

It's always convenient for certain people to heap accusations on Israel.
Yasser Arafat

Our law is a Jordanian law that we inherited, which applies to both the West Bank and Gaza, and sets the death penalty for those who sell land to Israelis.
Yasser Arafat

Palestine is the cement that holds the Arab world together, or it is the explosive that blows it apart.
Yasser Arafat

Peace for us means the destruction of Israel. We are preparing for an all-out war, a war which will last for generations.
Yasser Arafat

The Palestinian Rifle is ready and we will aim it if they try to prevent us from praying in Jerusalem.
Yasser Arafat

The victory march will continue until the Palestinian flag flies in Jerusalem and in all of Palestine.
Yasser Arafat

This is my homeland no one can kick me out.
Yasser Arafat

We plan to eliminate the state of Israel and establish a purely Palestinian state. We will make life unbearable for Jews by psychological warfare and population explosion. We Palestinians will take over everything, including all of Jerusalem.
Yasser Arafat

IN PERSON - TAN SRI P RAMLEE

Kata kata P Ramlee

"Salah satu daripada rahsia kejayaan dalam segala lapangan ialah memberi apa yang dihajatkan ramai dan bukan memaksa ramai menerima yang kita fikirkan. The public is always right."

"Siapa makan cili, dialah yang terasa pedasnya."

On the short film 'Damaq' part of 'Ragam P Ramlee' (1965)
"'Damaq' memang satu daripada tiga jenis hidangan yang akan menghiasi 'Ragam' saya. Saya tidak mengarah lebih awal kerana beberapa sebab walaupun lakon layarnya sudah disiapkan dalam tahun 1963. Sebab pertama, skrip yang saya cipta itu mementingkan watak yang mengikut tilikan saya hanya tepat dan sesuai untuk Kasma Booty. Tapi Kasma tidak dapat dibawa ke Singapura kerana sibuk dalam filem keluaran Studio Merdeka. Sebab kedua, 'Damaq' mementingkan latar belakang yang susah didapatkan kalau penggambaran di sekitar Singapura. Dan sebab ketiga, 'Damaq' adalah satu kisah drama lama yang lahir dari ilham Allahyarham H M Rohaizad. Banyak kali dipentaskan di radio, sandiwara dan televisyen. Dan untuk menghasilkan keistimewaan yang luar biasa ini memerlukan masa yang panjang."

On the film 'Sabarudin Tukang Kasut' / 'Sabarudin The Cobbler' (1966)
"Filem ini adalah hasil pemikiran yang mendalam, pengalaman yang meluas dan pengkajian yang halus, teliti dan bertanggung jawab."

On the film 'Do Re Mi' (1966)
"Apabila saya buat cerita komedi, skrip saya miskin dengan kata bual. Segala-galanya itu akan dibuat 'on the spot' (secara spontan)."

On the film 'Keluarga 69' / 'Family 69' (1967)
"Filem ini bukan saja ingin menggeletek hati penonton ketawa dengan gara-gara jenaka, menangis dengan gambaran dramanya tetapi juga ingin menarik perhatian penonton terhadap banyak perkara hidup yang disunting dari alam kenyataan untuk manjadi bahan fikiran. Kerana, hanya dengan mengetahui akibat sesuatu perkara yang buruk itu saja, keinsafan akan menjelang."

On the film title for 'Kanchan Tirana' (1969)
"Kanchan berasal dari perkataan Sanskrit. 'Kanchana' bererti emas dan 'Tirana' ialah perkataan Sanskrit juga bermaksud cahaya. Kalau hendak perkataan Sanskrit sepenuhnya ia menjadi Kanchana Tirana. Saya ubah sedikit untuk mudah disebut dan menarik bunyi menjadi 'Kanchan Tirana'."





Tan Sri P Ramlee

Le Chanteuse - Edith Piaf

I want to make people cry even when they don't understand my words.

People say that I could sing the phone book and make it sound good.

To be successful in my native France, where people speak the same language and understand me, is nothing.

Edith Piaf

A Passion For Life

There is no time for cut-and-dried monotony.
There is time for work. And time for love.
That leaves no other time.

There are people who have money and people who are rich.

Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening

Coco Chanel

The words of Michael Jackson

In a world filled with hate, we must still dare to hope. In a world filled with anger, we must still dare to comfort. In a world filled with despair, we must still dare to dream. And in a world filled with distrust, we must still dare to believe.

If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with.

I wake up from dreams and go "Wow, put this down on paper." The whole thing is strange. You hear the words, everything is right there in front of your face . .

The greatest education in the world is watching the masters at work.

I was a veteran, before I was a teenager.

I'm just like anyone. I cut and I bleed. And I embarass easily.

On The Economy

Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidise it.

Ronald Reagan

The Great Depression, like most other periods of severe employment, was produced by government mismanagement rather than by any inherent instability of the private economy.

Milton Friedman

The economy depends about as much on economist as the weather does on weather forecasters.

Unknown

On Public Relations

"I don't think we made any mistake. But from a public relations perspective, it wasn't properly handled."
Al Larson

"This is a very clever move, and probably more a public relations move than anything else."
Charlie Buchwalter

"It was a disaster. An absolute, total, public relations disaster.”
Amy Walsh

“You've got some public relations to do.”
Terry Parker quotes

TIGER WOODS, Golfer above all else, or nothing else

I did envisage being this successful as a player, but not all the hysteria around it off the golf course.
Tiger Woods

I love to play golf, and that's my arena. And you can characterize it and describe it however you want, but I have a love and a passion for getting that ball in the hole and beating those guys.
Tiger Woods

I want to be what I've always wanted to be: dominant.
Tiger Woods

FRANCOIS-RENE DAILLIE, Renown French poet, author and lover of Malay pantun

"If one of the assets of poetry at its best is the magic and beauty accomplished by language, the malay pantun can be placed among the highest achievements of mankind in this form of art...”
Francois-Rene Daillie

BARACK OBAMA, World Leader

Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.
Barack Obama

LEO TOLSTOY, Author of Anna Karenina

Love is life. All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love. Everything is, everything exists, only because I love. Everything is united by it alone. Love is God, and to die means that I, a particle of love, shall return to the general and eternal source.
Leo Tolstoy

All happy families resemble one another, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.
Leo Tolstoy

Art ... is the transmission of feeling the artist has experienced.
Leo Tolstoy

NADIA COMANECI, True Champion

"I don't run away from a challenge because I am afraid. Instead, I run towards it because the only way to escape fear is to trample it beneath your feet.”
Nadia Comaneci

FRANK HERBERT, creator of DUNE

"The function of science fiction is not always to predict the future but sometimes to prevent it. "
Frank Herbert