HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS SULTAN AHMAD SHAH OF PAHANG LAUNCHED THE BOOK 'TENUN PAHANG DIRAJA; WARISAN, TRADISI DAN FALSAFAH' ON 20 JUNE 2013 AT ROYALE CHULAN HOTEL IN KUALA LUMPUR.
The exhibition, gala dinner, fashion show, cultural dance and book launch was graced by His Royal Highness Sultan Ahmad Shah Sultan Abu Bakar of Pahang who consented and granted the term 'DiRaja' meaning 'Royal' to 'Tenun Pahang' which is the fabric now registered as the proprietary rights exclusive to 'Tenun Pahang DiRaja' so no one and no other state can use this term.
The book and preservation of this ancient art of weaving was spearheaded by the Crown Princess of Pahang Her Highness Tengku Puan Pahang Tunku Azizah Sultan Iskandar who is a Johore princess.
"I was inspired by my beloved husband Tengku Abdullah who encouraged me to preserve the art of tenun weaving," said Tengku Puan Pahang. "When we started, we discovered sadly there were only 15 weavers left and all were in Pekan, the royal town of Pahang.
"The art of weaving tenun was in critical condition as young women were disinclined to learn how to weave as they prefered modern jobs like working in factories. I saw this artform was on the verge of extinction as tenun is considered the pride of Pahang. So we must thank my husband Tengku Mahkota Pahang and the Ministry of Culture who helped my team so much."
The Pahang Crown Prince and Crown Princess then approached the Sultan of Pahang who consented to brand the fabric as 'Tenun Pahang DiRaja' with the usage of his personal crest.
"His Royal Highness the Sultan of Pahang granted this royal privilege on 8 May 2006,' recalled Tengku Puan Pahang reverentially. "We are so grateful to the Sultan of Pahang for bestowing this honour.
"We have registered this as our intellectual property so no other state can claim tenun Pahang as their own."
His Royal Highness Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang wore a splendid suit of Tenun Pahang DiRaja.
Tengku Puan Pahang explaining the details to her father-in-law the Sultan of Pahang.
Tuanku Sultan Pahang really interested in pink tenun Pahang Diraja fabric.
WZWH love the kalimah Allah and Muhammad on tenun Pahang Diraja textile...never mind just take one and put under ADUN Tahan's account!
The Pahang Sultan watching a tenun weaver.
Standing to attention as the state anthem of Pahang was played. The Sultan of Pahang with the future Sultan and Tengku Ampuan of Pahang.
Kebudayaan Pahang show.
Examples of products made of Tenun Pahang Diraja
The first fashion show by Rodziah Yusuf of Kraftangan.
Jovian Mandagie collection.
HH Tengku Puan Pahang making her speech to thank the Sultan of Pahang and her husband the Crown Prince of Pahang.
In her speech, Tengku Puan Pahang Tunku Azizah Sultan Iskandar thanked her father-in-law the Sultan of Pahang and her husband Tengku Abdullah for inspiring and encouraging her and her team to raise awareness and funds for building a craft centre and school to propagate the art of weaving tenun, now given the seal of approval with the personal crest of the Sultan of Pahang.
Said the Crown Princess of Pahang, "The 15 weavers just sat on the floor to create their masterpieces. I want to develop this fabric to be internationally famous like Jim Thompson of Thailand.
"I think the future of Tenun Pahang DiRaja is bright as there are now 200 weavers! We have developed a proper syllabus and trained weavers so they can continue making tenun while earning a decent income.
"Some are from correctional institutions so I call them my Jailhouse Rock team of weavers!" said the irrepressible Crown Princess of Pahang to applause from the audience.
"I am proud that these inmates have discovered a hidden talent which is being recognised tonight. Some of the fabrics you see tonight were woven while they were serving their term."
The Sultan of Pahang listened intently as his daughter-in-law spoke passionately about the royal textile that now carries his royal insignia.
As Tengku Puan Pahang returned to her seat, the Sultan of Pahang clapped and honoured her by standing to congratulate his daughter-in-law! What an honour! And Tengku Puan Pahang deserved it as she and her team had worked indefatigably for months to produce such a sensational evening!
HRH Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang chatting with a tenun weaver.
The Sultan of Pahang looking at the book as his son Tengku Mahkota Pahang looks on and author Farid (in green shirt) looks nervous.
All smiles.
All fotos provided by courtesy of fellow blogger KHC.
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Dirgahayu Darul Makmur
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