USM Adiguru Che Mat Jusoh urges younger generation to write about traditional arts

Adiguru Che Mat Jusoh had spent nearly 58 years to preserving and sustaining the traditional performing arts of Mak Yong and Kelantanese Wayang Kulit. — Picture courtesy of USM

By Opalyn Mok

First Published: Saturday, 07 Nov 2026 3:42 PM MYT

GEORGE TOWN, Nov 7 — Traditional performance arts usually involves singing, acting and dancing but Universiti Sains Malaysia’s (USM) traditional performing arts master Adiguru Che Mat Jusoh hopes the younger generation will look into documenting traditional arts and culture to preserve intangible heritage.

Che Mat, who was awarded the Living National Heritage Award (WAKOH) this year by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac), said traditional arts are not limited to singing, acting and dancing.

“Writing related to traditional arts and culture must also be given serious attention,” he said in a statement issued by USM today.

He added that this aspect was still not given enough emphasis among the younger generation.

“Documentation and writing are important ways to ensure that the knowledge, history and philosophy of heritage were not lost to time,” he said.

Che Mat had spent nearly 58 years to preserving and sustaining the traditional performing arts of Mak Yong and Kelantanese Wayang Kulit.

The 72-year-old is not only a traditional arts practitioner but is also one of the key custodians of traditional knowledge, skills and musical repertoire inherited from earlier generations.

He said the prestigious award was not merely a personal achievement but also recognition of efforts to uphold a heritage that must be safeguarded.

“Of course, I am very happy that all the effort and commitment I have devoted over the years to preserving traditional arts have finally received the government’s attention and recognition,” he said.

Che Mat also said he was among those still able to play old Mak Yong songs that were increasingly being lost to time.

He added that he was proud that a younger generation was now showing interest in learning them.

“However, knowledge of traditional arts cannot be passed down in a hurry. It must be taught little by little, with patience and commitment, just as I learned it myself,” he said.

He said he wanted to ensure that traditional arts and heritage continued to thrive and does not stop with one generation.

“I want them to continue to live, grow and be passed on to future generations. Heritage should not merely be a memory or a relic of history; it must continue to be practised and strengthened,” he said.

Besides his contributions to traditional performing arts, Che Mat, who was previously a resident artist at USM, has also produced literary work with the publication of his latest book, Hikayat Maharaja Seri Rama, this year.

The book was published by Nusa Centre, which has published three of Che Mat’s major works with support from a MOTAC grant. The publication is also part of continuing efforts to preserve the country’s intangible cultural heritage.

The book, compiled by Che Mat, is an important effort to preserve and document a treasure of Malay literature that has developed within the cultural sphere of the Malay Archipelago for more than 1,000 years.