Page 491 - Proceedings Collega2023

FROM HIKAYAT TO STAGE: HANG TUAH’S COSTUME
INTERPRETATION FOR MATINYA SEORANG PAHLAWAN 2021

Nur Afifi MOHAMED TAIB
Kenchana Wati MD YUSOF
Muhammad Amirul Shafiq MOHD TAHAR
College Of Creative Arts, UiTM, Selangor, Malaysia
nurafifi@uitm.edu.my
kenchana@uitm.edu.my
amirulshafiq@uitm.edu.my

ABSTRACT
This study is a documentation of the costume design process for Hang Tuah’s character in a play
by Usman Awang, Matinya Seorang Pahlawan (Jebat) written in 1961. The production is produced by
Persatuan Kesenian dan Kebudayaan STEFANI, directed by Fauziah Nawi and funded by Yayasan Hasanah
through ARTFAS grant. The objective of this writing is to document and discuss the image of Hang Tuah as
described in Hikayat Hang Tuah as main source of inspiration. The costume pieces designed are also
inspired by western costume design practice in designing period costumes for theatrical production where
periodic details and styles are deemed important in establishing the period and time of the play. Details
like surface embellishments and costume pieces are carefully put together to recreate Hang Tuah’s image
for the play. This had not been the practice for both theatrical and film production portraying Hang Tuah,
as the details stated in the Hikayat differs greatly. Based on qualitative method and secondary research,
this paper discusses the process from text to design. A direct design interpretation from the description of
Hang Tuah is materialized through understanding of text and 19th – 20th century artifacts paired with the
writer’s knowledge of Malay costume. The need to pay attention to periodic details is important in the
progression of costuming for historical based theatrical productions in Malaysia for a better appreciation
of Malay costume history in general. This paper is significant in empowering local knowledge in costume
design.

Keywords: hikayat; stage; costume; Hang Tuah; interpretation; Matinya seorang pahlawan

Introduction

Matinya Seorang Pahlawan (MSP) (Jebat) or in English, Death of A Warrior is a play written by
national laureate Usman Awang in 1961. The play encompasses the last moments of Hang Jebat after the
duel with Hang Tuah, in the aftermath of Hang Jebat running amok defending the ‘death’ of Hang Tuah
who was slandered by Patih Karma Wijaya and made Sultan Mansur Syah giving out a death sentence to
Hang Tuah. Matinya Seorang Pahlawan (2021) is produced by Persatuan Kesenian dan Kebudayaan

International Conference on Local Wisdom of the Malay Archipelago (COLLEGA 2023) Page - 478 -