SCHOOL OF THE ARTS   |  UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA

DR. MUMTAZ BEGUM ABOO BACKER

Senior Lecturer
+60123915039
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Mumtaz Begum Aboo Backer is a Senior Lecturer of School of the Arts (SOTA), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). She is an “academic and art practitioner in the field of performing arts and enjoys working with and researching children and young people. Trained in Bharatanatyam, Malay traditional dances, contemporary dance techniques and Drama & Theatre, Mumtaz uses movement exploration, drama, roleplay and story-telling to engage and reach out to children, students and the communities around her. Her research interest focuses on children with special needs, marginalized communities, traditional and modern theatre, dance and gender studies in the arts. She has authored.” Dancing The Strong Woman in Malaysia (2011)”, and Five Text Books in the subject of Dance for Sekolah Seni Malaysia.

Education

  • PhD (Dance Ethnochoreology), UM

Areas of Expertise

Dance Studies, Theatre Studies, Children's Theatre

Research Interest

  • DANCE STUDIES
  • RESEARCHING CHILDREN USING DANCE, DRAMA & THEATRE
  • WORKING WITH SPECAIL NEEDS CHILDREN
  • ARCHAEOLOGY AND PERFORMANCE

Research Topics

  • Sang Kancil Speaks: Using Drama and Folktales to Enhance English Language among Marginalized Children in Penang (2020-2022). Funder: CENDANA Malaysia. Output: 1 Public theatre performance Titled, “Strange Times in Alam Rimba”. Date & Time: 22 May 2022, 12 noon, Venue: Thinkcity, Bangunan UAB, Lebuh China, Georgetown.
  • Silk Shadows Speak: “Silk Shadows Speak: A Study of Malaysian Children’s Voices on Heritage Folktales using Performative Tools” (2017-2021).FRGS Grant (Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia). Output: 1 public theatre workshop showcase by the children involved. Date and Time: 20-22nd October, 2017. Venue, Panggung Pelenggam Cahaya, USM.
  • Jungle Book the Musical- A community theatre project. Date & Time:5th-8th September, 2019. Venue, Dewan Budaya, USM.
  • Art Therapy for Children with Special Needs in Penang (2012-2015). Grant Provider: USM. Output: 1 public theatre performance by the Cerebral Palsy Children. “Wayang the Boy and the Forest”. Date and Time: April, 2015. Venue, Cerebral Palsy Association, Penang.

USM EXPERTS

SPORTLIGHTS

  • PUBLICATIONS



    1. Backer, M.B.A. (2023). “The Dancing Lecturer”. Women Practicing Resilience, Self-care and Wellbeing in Academia. (Eds). Fatimawati, I., Voon, M.N & Sandhu, K.D. Routledge. Taylor & Francis: London.

    2. Backer, M.B.A. (2023). Expect the unexpected while Researching Children: Methodological and Ethical Challenges. Convergence in Research. Art & Design.(Ed) Abdullah, S. Penerbit USM.

    3. Backer, M.B.A. (2023). Cerita Rakyat, Translokaliti dan Pembinaan Nilai Sosial oleh Kanak-kanak. Jurnal Gendang Alam. Vol.13 No. 1 .doi:10.51200/ga.131.4407. UMS, Sabah.

    4. Backer, M. B. A., & Manoharan, P. (2022). “The Wayang And Its Enchanting Little Puppeteers: Exploring Cognitive Abilities Of Cerebral Palsy Children Through Performance”. Jurnal Gendang Alam (GA), 12(1), 83-100. UMS, Sabah.

    5. Backer, M.B.A. (2021). Silk Shadows Speak: Performing the Voices of Children through Wayang Kulit and Heritage Folktales. Jurnal Gendang Alam. Jilid (11). No. 2. UMS, Sabah.

    6. Backer, M.B.A. (2021). Writing Artistic Works Academically and Creatively by Engaging Descriptive and Critical Writing. Juranal Tirai Panggung. Jilid (17)., Universiti Malaya.

    7. Mumtaz Begum Aboo Backer. (2019). ”Folktales, Trans-locality and the Construction of Social Values by Children. International Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. Volume 5. Issue 6.pg 232-242. DOI. 10.204609. KKG Publications (Open Access).

    8. Mumtaz Begum Aboo Backer, Halimi Mohd Noh & Husaini Yaacob. (2019). ”The Process of Creating the Script for the Performance of Bermulanya Di Sini...Kedah Tua”. Wacana Seni Special Issue. Penerbit USM: Penang

    9. Mumtaz Begum Binti Pv Aboo Backer, 2017, Shamanistic Intermediaries in the Performance Healing Rituals of Main Peteri, Sewang & Bobohizan, in (Locating The soul of Healing Performance in Malaysia), Penerbit USM (Universiti Sains Malaysia) , 58-70

    10. Leng Poh Ghee, Mumtaz Begum Binti Pv Aboo Backer, 2021, Perkembangan Labanotasi dalam Institusi Pengajian Tinggi dan Adaptasi Pengetahuan Labanotasi oleh Yayasan Warisan Johor, Tirai Panggung Jurnal Seni Persembahan, Jilid 17:, 14-39 (Impact Factor : .000)

    11. Leng Poh Ghee, Mumtaz Begum Binti Pv Aboo Backer, 2021, Perkembangan Labanotasi dalam Institusi Pengajian Tinggi dan Adaptasi Pengetahuan Labanotasi oleh Yayasan Warisan Johor, Tirai Panggung Jurnal Seni Persembahan, Jilid 17:, 14-39 (Impact Factor : .000)

    12. Mumtaz Begum Binti Pv Aboo Backer, 2016, The Vanishing Spiritual Healers of Sabah: A Preliminary Research., Advanced Science Letters, American Scientific Publishers 2016, Ad Sc Lett, X-XXX-XXX-2016:

    13. Mumtaz Begum Binti Pv Aboo Backer, 2019, Mengimaginasi Reka Bentuk Kostum dan Perhiasan Badan untuk Persembahan ""Bermulanya Di Sini... Kedah Tua""! Re-imagining the Costume Design and Body Adornments for the Performance of ""Bermulanya Di Sini…Kedah Tua""!, WACANA SENI JOURNAL OF ARTS DISCOURSE, Volume 18, Supp. (2019):, 53-63 (Impact Factor : .000)

    14. Mumtaz, 2011, 'ARTS FOR ALL!' CAN I DANCE TOO?, Beyond Boundaries (ICACA)- International Conference on Applied and Creative Arts, 3rd International Conference on Applied and Creative Arts (3rd ICACA), : , 314-320

    15. Mumtaz Begum Binti Pv Aboo Backer, 2018, Creating Peace Communities through Dance: A Project with Rohingya Refugee Children, in Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Dance Education (ICONDE) 2018, Theme : The Spirit of Creativity in Dance Education, Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Dance Education.

    16. Mumtaz Begum Binti Pv Aboo Backer, 2017, The Mind, Body, Spirits and Soul in Traditional Healing : A"Perspective of Bageh, in (Locating the Soul of Healing Performance in Malaysia), Penerbit USM (Universiti Sains Malaysia) , 10-19

    17. Mumtaz Begum Binti Pv Aboo Backer, 2011, Passing on Traditions : Gidda - The Dance of the Punjabi Women in Penang, Hybridity in the Performing Arts of Southeast Asia. (ICTM) ICTM Study Group on Performing of Southeast Asia, :, 184-189

    18. Mumtaz Begum Binti Pv Aboo Backer, 2008, DANCING THE STRONG DEFINITIVE WOMAN THROUGH CONTEMPORARY DANCE : THE MALAYSIAN EXPERIENCE, Book Name : Independence & Identity : Topics in Dance Studies, :, 41-54

    19. Mumtaz Begum Binti Pv Aboo Backer, 2017, Shamanistic Intermediaries in the Performance Healing Rituals of Main Peteri, Sewang & Bobohizan, in (Locating The soul of Healing Performance in Malaysia), Penerbit USM (Universiti Sains Malaysia) , 58-70

    20. Mumtaz Begum Binti Pv Aboo Backer, 2017, Thaipusam: A Journey in Spiritual Healing, in (Locating The Soul of Healing Performances in Malaysia), Penerbit USM (Universiti Sains Malaysia) , 34-42

    21. Mumtaz Begum Binti Pv Aboo Backer, 2008, CONTEMPORARY DANCE IN MALAYSIA : ISSUES OF IDENTITY, GENDER AND FEMINISM IN THE WORKS OF WOMEN CHOREOGRAPHERS, Book Name : Proceedings 23rd Symposium of the ICTM Study Group On Ethnochoreology, :, 35-38

    22. Mumtaz Begum Binti Pv Aboo Backer, 2007, Semiotics : Signs and Meaning in Contemporary Dance in Malaysia, Wacana Seni - Journal of Art Discourse, Vol. 6:, 71-76 (Impact Factor : .000)

    23. Mumtaz Begum Binti Pv Aboo Backer, Nurul Farhana Low Bt. Abdullah, A.s. Hardy Bin Shafii, Muhizam Bin Mustafa, Tarmiji Masron, 2013, A Midsummer Night's Dream Dissected through Philosophy, Geographical Information System Mapping of Dance and Choreography: An Experimental Process, in (Reengineering Local Knowledge: Life, Science and Technology), Penerbit USM (Universiti Sains Malaysia) , 112-124

    24. Mumtaz Begum Binti Pv Aboo Backer, A.s. Hardy Bin Shafii, Muhizam Bin Mustafa, Nurul Farhana Low Bt. Abdullah, 2012, Looking Back to the Past: Revival of Traditional Food Packaging, 2012 2nd Regional Conference on Local Knowledge 15-16 October, Jerejak Island Rainforest Resort, Penang, : , 87-108

    25. Mumtaz Begum Binti Pv Aboo Backer, 2013, Simon Says Syndrome in Art & Design Education in Booklet of the 2nd International Conference for Design Education Researchers., DRS// CUMULUS 2013, 2nd International Conference for Design Education Researchers, :

    26. Mumtaz Begum Binti Pv Aboo Backer, 2017, Konflik Identiti Dalam Gaya Persembahan Teater Muzikal Melayu, International conference on Social sciences and Humanities,

    27. Mumtaz Begum Binti Pv Aboo Backer, 2011, ;Dancing the Strong Woman: Celebrating Women, Feminism and Contemporary Dance in Malaysia"", in (""Dancing the Strong Woman: Celebrating Women, Feminism and Contemporary Dance in Malaysia"". (Routledge)), Routledge

    28. Cheah J.X., Rajamani L., Norizan E., Mumtaz A.B., Affendi Y.A., 2013, Testing the effectiveness of conservation education programmes: the dugong ( Dugong dugon) as a case study in Johor, Malaysia., Society of Marine Mammalogy,

    29. Mumtaz, 2014, A Midsummer Night's Dream Dissected through Philosophy, Geograpgical Information Sysytem Mapping of Dance and Choreography: An Experimental Process, in (Reengineering Local Knowledge- Life, Science and Technology), Penerbit USM (Universiti Sains Malaysia) , 112-124

    30. Mumtaz Begum Binti Pv Aboo Backer, 2016, Translating Archaelogical Artefacts and Architechtural Remains at Lembah Bujang through Performance, 4th International Conference of Performing Artth East Asia (PASEA) a study group of International Council for Traditional Music (ICTM), : , 123-127"

  • COLLABORATION



    1. BhumiMATTA- Dance Poduction. George Town Festival (2023). Collaborated with Aida Redza and Ombak Arts Studio, Penang.

    2. We are Water- Dance Production. Sg Ara Community. (2020). Collaborated with Aida Redza, Wind River Production.

    3. Strange Times in Alam Rimba. Theatre Production. (2022) . Collaborated with CENDANA Malaysia.

    4.Berulanya Di Sini....Kedah Tua. Theatre Production. (2018). Collaborated with Archaeology Department and Kedah State Government.

  • MASTER/PHD PROJECT SUPERVISED



    1. Mak Foong Ming, 2022, Doctor of Philosophy, Research - Full Time, The Effect of Contemporary Dance Lessons on Gross Motor Skills of Down Syndrome Children in Malaysia., Main Supervisor (AKTIF)

    2. Zhu Linghui, 2022, Doctor of Philosophy, Research - Full Time, A Literature Study on The Performance Styles of Chen Yanqui and Xen Huisheng of Chinese Opera in The First Half of The Twentieth Century (1912-1949)., Main Supervisor (AKTIF)

    3. Li Jiangmei, 2022, Doctor of Philosophy, Research - Full Time, Research Topic: Research on Folk Dance Teaching Composition and Teaching Practice, Main Supervisor (AKTIF)

    4. Zhengkai, 2021, Doctor of Philosophy, Research - Full Time, A study on the Inheritance and Re-Learning of Folk Dance in the South of the Yangtze River., Main Supervisor (AKTIF)

    5. Sun Jian, 2021, Doctor of Philosophy, Research - Full Time, Research on the Theory of "Interdisciplinary Dance Aesthetic Education" and Related Educational System Models. , Main Supervisor (AKTIF)

    6. Wang Jinyuan, 2020, Doctor of Philosophy, Research - Full Time, Designing a Dance Module Based on a Comparative Analysis of the Heritage and Semiotics of Dai and Malaysia Chinese Folk Dance., Main Supervisor (AKTIF)

    7. Xu Tongtong, 2020, Doctor of Philosophy, Research - Full Time, Research on Effective Ways to Achieve Psychological Rehabilitation by Dancing., Main Supervisor (MENANGGUH PENGAJIAN)

    8. Nur Ilanee Binti Mohd Nasir, 2020, Master, Research - Part Time, AKTIVITI DRAMA TERHADAP KANAK-KANAK BERUSIA 5 TAHUN DI TADIKA KEMAS BAYAN BARU PULAU PINANG, Co-supervisor (AKTIF)

    9. Wen Zaihua, 2022, Doctor of Philosophy, Research - Full Time, The application status of Nanyin in preschool education: A case study of Quanzhou Kindergartens. , Co-supervisor (AKTIF)

    10. Yuan Rui, 2022, Master, Research - Full Time, The Fusion of Movement and Emotion in Dance Performance., Co-supervisor (AKTIF)

    11. Nagla Saad Zaghloul Gaber Sirage, 2019, Doctor of Philosophy, Research - Full Time, Alternative Display by Manipulation of Plastic Strips for the Theatre., Main Supervisor (AKTIF)



     

School of The Arts
Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang Malaysia
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