KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim attended the theatre production of Haji Murat with his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, staged at Balai Budaya Tun Syed Nasir in Wisma Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), here today.
Anwar said that he was excited to catch the adaptation of the novella and last work of famed Russian literary giant, Leo Tolstoy, even though he had not been invited initially and only found out about the play through the media.
"Actually, this is an event that I was not invited to. Coincidentally, I read in the newspaper and on social media about the staging of Haji Murat.
"Hadji Murat is one of Leo Tolstoy's great works, but it is lesser known.
"There is a view that Haji Murat is a hero, but he is a tragic hero. So, I told my officers to ask DBP for me to attend this production of Haji Murat.
"I am excited about this play and feel a need to invite young people to come and witness the power of this work.
"This is among the works that have the most beautiful and best storytelling in the world.
"I still don't understand why it is not very popular or given any attention in the western world. This is an extraordinary piece of literature," said Anwar in his speech prior to the staging of Haji Murat.
The theatre production is part of DBP's development initiative to bring quality works of literature to the stage.
The production was brought to life by about 70 people made up mainly of DBP employees who served as backstage personnel and even actors.
Co-directed by A Wahab Hamzah and Aris Othman, Haji Murat featured theatre artistes such as Mohd Kamarulzaman Taib or Che Kem, Dr Rusdeen Suboh, Ard Omar, Helmi, Rose Julia, Anna Natasha and many others.
Also present during the opening night were Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, DBP director-general Dr Hazami Jahari, national laureate and DFP chairman of the board Datuk Dr Anwar Ridhwan, and Russian ambassador to Malaysia Naiyl M Latypov.
Tolstoy wrote Hadji Murat from 1896 to 1904 and it was published posthumously in 1912.
The play follows the story of the titular character, an Avar rebel warrior who forms an uneasy alliance with the Russians he opposes in order to exact revenge.
The masterpiece, translated by accomplished Russian author and linguistics expert Dr Victor Pogadaev, was edited by Anwar Ridhwan and published by DBP in 2001.
Produced by Badan Budaya DBP, DBP and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), the Haji Murad theatre production will be staged at Balai Budaya Tun Syed Nasir every night at 8.30pm until June 29.