KUALA LUMPUR: A former Chinese opera star is determined to pass down the centuries-old classical art to the country's younger generations.
Elizabeth @ Choi Yam Heong, 86, better known as Sifu Choi, is one of Malaysia's oldest Chinese opera actresses and singers.
She started off her career, when she was just 7, in her family's drama company.
During her early years, Choi learned the art from her mother and sisters and when she turned 17, her father took her to a coach in Hong Kong to hone her skills.
"My father told me to quit schooling after a year and I have been in the industry ever since.
"Performing Chinese opera was not my passion at first. I had to get into the industry to survive through the hardships of World War Two.
"Since Chinese opera was the only skill I had, I had to perfect my craft to make a career out of it," said the Seremban-born artist, when met during the shooting of TVC Keluarga Malaysia's Chinese New Year commercial recently.
Choi may have retired as a stage performer due to her old age and health condition, but she continues to play her part to preserve the art as a wardrobe and make-up consultant for Chinese opera performers.
In her new role, she supplies traditional costumes for performers and guides young artists on the right ways to wear the attire and put on their make-up.
"Chinese opera performers have to wear heavier make-up to lift their performance when they are on stage. It is a difficult, challenging and time-consuming process," she said.
The veteran artist also lamented that Chinese opera has become a "dying art" in Malaysia.
"I understand that young people are working hard to build their professional careers. But, I hope that they can spend some time to watch Chinese opera performances and learn this craft.
"The generations before me ensured the art reached me and I hope to pass down the skills to the generation after me," she said.