An enchanted tune of yesteryear floats in the air of the bustling street. It’s a familiar old uncle playing his er-hu as he smiles and wishes me well as I walk past, “你好,谢谢你!”
I watch on as people walk by, barely noticing him. Why doesn’t anyone stop to enjoy the performance? Why don’t we take a step back from the hustle and bustle? I pause to listen to the melody; is it out of tune? I can’t be sure… But soon, the song grows on me. I dread the day when I would no longer be able to hear it.
To me, busking is a form of art. It’s art and music in its rawest form. There are no post edits, or perfectly-timed BGM to stir you up. There’s no teleprompter to tell you when to clap and cheer. It’s an extremely personal affair – the busker is the performer, and you are his audience.
The act or song may be far from perfect, but it is quite something to behold. Singaporeans are busy, busy, busy. Everyone is rushing to their next appointment, and no one takes time anymore. Would you take the time?
Recently, I caught the film, Singapore Minstrel, as part of the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF). The story follows the Silver Man, Roy Payamal, and also offers a peek into the lives of familiar buskers around Orchard Road or the heartlands of Singapore, in Ang Mo Kio and Tampines.
Mr Roland, a busker featured in Singapore Minstrel, dancing to an upbeat song in Tampines.
While the film sheds light on how the long-drawn battle of policies have affected the life of buskers in Singapore, Ng Xie Jie, the director of the film has this to say “…it is, for me, at heart about a beautiful -though difficult- way to live. That is still being lived. A way of being in the world that is wild and gentle…”
I smile to myself as the er-hu uncle finishes his song. I give a round of applause even though no one joins me. Walking over to him, I don’t just put spare change into his box, but what he had just earned for taking me on a journey.
I’ve always wondered how these buskers lived their lives, and being able to see the behind-the-scenes of Roy Payamal and his street colleagues has led me to deeper appreciation for their hard work.
Busking in Singapore is indeed beautiful.
To find out more about Singapore Minstrel, or how to get hold of a copy of the film, please visit them at: http://www.singaporeminstrel.com/
