Malaysian theatre doyenne Sabera Shaik shares her legacy and speaks of her role in a forgotten community.

Sabera Shaik is reluctant to be interviewed. She even sighs a good three times when a request is made to feature her. Incidentally, Sabera isn’t easy to pin down. The interview itself has to take place the same afternoon she comes back from Kampar, Perak where she spends her time among children of a small village, teaching them what she does best - theatre.

ALL FOR THE CHILDREN
It all started with a friend who was looking for help to set up a multi-purpose hall in an Orang Asli community in Kampar. “I got to learn more about the community and saw how else I could contribute to them, hence the drama classes. I mean why not? I have the resources and the contacts to do this, so I thought let’s just do it.” It has now been a year and a half since Sabera started her drama programme for this minor community.

“It helps the children to speak and move well, so they feel empowered and can hold their head high when they attend school with the other children.” For Sabera, the biggest bonus from all this is seeing how willing and enthusiastic the children are, about improving themselves and learning. Moving forward, Sabera would like to expand these classes to older children and even their parents and teach topics like Orang Asli customs and folkore. Like with all other community projects, financial sponsorship and more hands are always needed. Then more can be done.”

THE JOURNEY AHEAD
Sabera says with a sharp intake of breath, “I have so much left to do. I feel like I’ve just started. I’ve spent many years on myself, honing my acting skills, going for classes and attending multiple courses. So I know now that the time has come for me to focus on others.”

SHE HAS LONG ARRIVED
For now, Sabera is looking into revamping her drama classes whereby the children will be prepared for a whole 12 months of singing, acting and dancing. This will all be showcased as a performance at the end of the year. As for the legacy she wishes to leave behind, Sabera says, “I would like to follow in the footsteps of my father (Datuk A.G. Shaik) who gave many people a career start with sound education - and they never knew who their benefactor was. If I could do that,” she says with a look that tugs at the heartstrings, “it would be enough.”