Gurindam 12 Fasal 2

The 12 Gurindam of Raja Ali Haji This is the gurindam of the second issue. Whosoever grasps what follows here Must know the true meaning of fear. Whosoever neglects the prayer Is like a home without a pillar. Whosoever neglects the fast Has lost in both this life and last. Whosoever neglects zakat Earns from […]

Cot Melukut

Cot melukut Berambang gantang. Mana tikus ‘nyorok? Celah kangkang! A popular nursery rhyme for youngsters. Begin by poking the bottom of the kid’s foot, then race up their leg to tickle the inner thigh. Conceptually similar to the American “This Little Piggy Went To Market”, the Malay version has the advantage of being certified Halal […]

Traveler, the path is your footprints

By Antonio Machado Traveler the path is your footprints and nothing more Traveller, there is no path You make the path by walking When walking you make the path And when you turn to look back You see the path that you will never trod again Traveler, there is no path Only sparkling reflections on […]

International Poetry Translated

If you’ve enjoyed my feeble attempts to translate Malay poems and songs over the years, perhaps you’d like the Poetry Translation Centre.  Contemporary poets of Asia, Africa and South America are translated into English by a two-step process: a native speaker translates the words literally, then the poets of PTC render it in poetic English. […]

Masihkah Kau Ingat

Masihkah Kau Ingat by Kopratasa, a Malaysian popular music trio active in the late 1980s. This was perhaps their biggest hit, and still receives a lot of play on Malaysian radio. *** Give it a listen: Kopratasa – Masihkah Kau Ingat *** [two_first]English translation by Bin Gregory Productions. *** Do you remember still That single […]