NINETEEN years of Boh Cameronian Arts Awards (BCAA) is truly something to cheer, with 39 awards recognising the talent of Malaysia's thriving arts community given during the event held at the Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre (PJPAC) in 1Utama, Selangor, recently.
This warm-hearted recognition doled out since 2002, by BOH Plantations and Kakiseni with support from the National Department for Culture and Arts, has been reciprocated by artistes with honesty and authenticity in their many impressive works.
Unforgettable moments over the years are many, including one year's awards night emcee being in drag queen glam — Shelah a.k.a. Edwin Sumun with his glorious baritone, and laughs and irony from witty hosts like Datuk Zahim Albakri and Harith Iskandar.
Zahim, who has won a slew of Cammies (as the awards are fondly called), was one of the award presenters for the recent 19th BCAA. Others included Lifetime Achievement recipient Datuk Ramli Ibrahim.
This year, sape artiste Mathew Ngau Jau, 72, received the BOH Cameronian Lifetime Achievement Award from Caroline Russell, Boh Plantations executive chairman.
The maestro had been also proclaimed a "National Living Heritage" by Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry in 2015 for his contributions to the revival and growth of the traditional Bornean string instrument, as well as embodying the music and culture of his people, the Kenyah Ngorek, at home and abroad.
The evening's host was 'Ola Bola' star Kai Chalmers who sang and danced, and joked to good response from the packed hall.
The evening offered showcases of the 'Best of Nominees' shows. These included 'Dondang Dongeng' presented by Playspace and RMP (Music), 'Malam Takdir' presented by Five Arts Centre & Reka Art Space (Theatre), 'Switchblade Operation: The Longing' presented by Kongsi Petak and Cake Project (Dance), and 'PSYCHOSYNTHESIS' presented by Asia Ballet Theatre & Kenny Shim Dance Collective (Dance).
Kongsi Petak's 'Switchblade Operation' was set in an old warehouse, which made for an interesting play of light in the dances.
Over the years, the award categories have evolved. The Audience Choice awards were fun, while The Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur Most Promising Artist Award shone the spotlight on upcoming stars.
These are but forgotten honours today. But, imagine if BCAA still had the latter, and the presenter was the 2006 Most Promising Artist winner, Digital Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil!
However, change is the one thing everyone can count on, even the BCAA.
There were no big winners that night at PJPAC, one that swept most awards. But among the major winners were 'Spooks: The Musical' which took home five awards, Liver & Lung Productions' 'Melur The Musical' with four, and "Switchblade Operation: The Longing", which comprised two choreographies, which also won four awards.
While the BCAA in its early years will be remembered for being like the hit song from Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa, 'Young, Wild & Free', getting serious when you're almost 20 is a done thing.
It is undeniable that the recognition the BCAA offers is much appreciated by the arts community.
It is, above all, like the arts itself, a celebration of life.
For the full list of winners and nominees, please visit https://kakiseni.org/awards/19bcaa-nominees-kakiseni.