“If music is the soft whispering of the state, then broadcasting is the nervous center of the state. In the era when television was not yet widespread, broadcasting was not only a tool for information transmission but also a monopolistic machine for the state to define reality. Joni Atari’s “reimagining” of Usman Awang’s radio drama published in 1969, Surat Dari Tawau, did not choose a simple replica reproduction, but in the theatre space of 2025, coordinating with the era sounds and background narratives of the 60s, provided modern audiences with an auditory dislocation experience.” – Ngo Tjer Hong, Inheriting the Rupture: Reconstructing “Us” amidst Myths, Archives, and Ghosts— Discursive Essay and Over-interpretations on the What the Elders Left Us Festival 2025 / Chinese: 斷裂的繼承：在神話、檔案與幽靈之間重構「我們」— — 關於 What the Elders Left Us 藝術節的散論與超譯
Joni Atari presents the radio drama Surat Dari Tawau by Usman Awang, which explores the Indonesia–Malaysia Confrontation, loyalty, and unfulfilled love. The pre-recorded dialogue, music, and ambient sounds will be performed live.
Joni Atari is the moniker of the duo Nurul Aizam and Ridhwan Saidi, who create field recordings, soundscapes, and auditory works for Moka Mocha Ink’s theatre and film projects. Their past sound design work includes the film Tears in Kuala Lumpur (2025) as well as theatre works such as Pengalaman Prangin (2024). In Surat Dari Tawau, the voices of the characters are performed by Eff Hakim as Asiah/Ibu, Ani Aziz as Karim, and Adam Taufiq Suharto as Leman/Sgt. Dolah.
Sound of the Sixties and an Afternoon Dance Party by The Instant Café Theatre Company, Damansara Performing Arts Centre (DPAC) as part of What The Elders Left Us, a festival.
The Music of My Father – James Boyle on Jimmy Boyle
Songs for the Dawn of a New Nation(s) – A Listen/In Party with Paul Augustin & Daryl Goh
Surat Dari Tawau – A radio drama by Usman Awang reimagined and performed by Joni Atari
Followed by a music and dance party.
Originally presented at the What the Elders Left Us Festival 2025, it later travelled to George Town in January 2026 in the format of a talk, performance, and listening exhibition, organised by Ka-kī Baca, with support from the Penang Arts Council (PAC). The venue collaboration was with COEX and Soundmaker Studio.
For the analog listening exhibition version, the additional credits are as follows:
Juruhebah Voice-over: Adrian Chang
Intro Voice-over: Ngo Tjer Hong
Recording and Editing: Ngo Tjer Hong
Exhibition Cassette Recording: Ruas Store
Moka Mocha Ink 