Getai Blues

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The bald guy is supposed to be the getai big boss.
Photos by J on his nokia


Once perhaps every month, the Taoist temple next to J's HDB block stages a religious ceremony or show - it could be some elaborate ritual with costumed mediums, a simple opera or, as in this case, the rather secular getai.

So instead of fighting its noise with our own, J and I abandoned our DVD movie plans and joined the Toa Payoh uncles and aunties for a good ol' rendition of 要拼才会嬴 (classic Hokkien songYou Gotta Fight to Win) and 无言的結局 (#1 Karaoke 80s weepy The Wordless/Silent End). We were surprised by how genuinely funny the main host/singer was (see photo above of a rather plump lady in tights, a gold ultra mini-skirt secured with multi-coloured sashes, and a hot pink top). She was so good and did her job with so much pride she could have stood up to host a TV talk show with Taiwanese 菲哥. At one point, a group of Indians among the audience asked her to sing a Hindi song - something she gamely did, rolling up her top to reveal her midriff, and teasing all the ah peks (i.e. old men) sitting in the front row about getting a free view of such generous flesh.

When the Hungry Ghost Festival comes round in the next couple of weeks, and we enter into getai season proper, I am sure the novelty of all this loud festivity will wear off. By then, you won't find J and I applauding anymore when the fat lady sings.

Comments

wheyface said…
Your vignette reminds me of Edward Yang's Gu lin jie sa ren shi jian.
ampulets said…
My all time favourite movie - my favourite line in it is
"打kiss-ir, 皰Miss-ir" (not sure if this is the right "pao4"), which a schoolboy shouts when he spots his friend kissing a girl.
wheyface said…
Ha ha, yes, I remember that scene.

Pao4 should be the same character as the one used in pao4 pao4 cha2.

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