"Anak Seni"?

One of the things that I relish doing on Sundays is reading the Berita Harian entertainment section--the amount of gossips is just phenomenal. I guess one needs to keep oneself amused at the antics (stupidity is more like it) of the so-called Malaysian artists.

It is comical to read that Azwan Ali describes himself as 'anak seni' in the paper today. I have nothing against that man despite the extensive negative publicity about how he conducts himself. How could I? I dont know him, except this much: hosting a 30-minute gossip slot can hardly earned one a title as "anak seni". Sure, the guy has been (that's the word--"has been") in some forgettable movies --and to award himself as 'anak seni' is hardly befitting. It is a joke.

Hedda Hopper, Louella Parsons or even the indomitable Miss Winfrey have never been regarded as "anak seni"--and rightly so as their work is not about delivering fine art in its truest sense. What these people do are communicate information, deliver gossips in a timely fashion & create interest on other people--all of which is what we all do on a daily basis albeit not true the idiot box. Now all of us can't possibly be "anak seni" can we? : P

There are thousands of newsreaders in the world. Most of them is on TV for the purpose of delivering information either for the purpose of entertainment or knowledge. Many more do the same via voice over on radio or TV and they are not known as 'artists' let alone 'artistes'. The same can be said about Zakiah Anas, Mazidul, Suhaimi Suleiman--who thankfully do get the definiton right for not labeling themselves as 'anak seni'.

I do give to Azwan one thing though: he is still standing tall despite all that has been said about him--some of the controversies he creates himself in pursuit of publicity, I am sure. Now that requires strength, perseverance & resilience.

And oh, by the way...it also requires him to have "kulit muka tebal macam kulit..." --well, you finsih the thought.