TODAY’S Google Doodle – a temporary alteration of the Google logo on its homepages in commemoration of holidays or notable public figures – celebrates what would have been late writer and women’s rights advocate Azah Aziz’s 94th birthday.
Azah, whose real name is Sharifah Azah Syed Mohammad Alsagoff, was the wife of the late Prof Ungku Abdul Aziz Ungku Abdul Hamid and mother of former Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Aziz.
Azah spent her life contributing to the preservation of Malaysian art and tradition and was named the Tokoh Budayawan Melayu or figure of Malaysian culture in honour of her work.
According to her Google’s Doodle page, Azah was born in Singapore in 1928, and her keen interest in language, culture and the arts was nurtured by her mother, Azizah, who was from a distinguished Johor family and a pioneer in domestic science studies.
Azah inherited a fine collection of early Malay textiles and garments from her mother, which fueled her passion for the culture that lasted throughout her life and paved the way to becoming a respected Malay culture expert.
Azah – also known as Mak Ungku – went on to become a secretary for a newspaper editor-in-chief, eventually moving up the ladder in the field of journalism.
She later started Akaz, her own publishing company, where she elevated Malaysian arts and contributed to a number of publications, including Malaysia’s first Malay daily afternoon tabloid Harian Metro and Malaysia’s oldest newspaper New Straits Times.
Azah also published books as well as children’s songs and poems, becoming the first woman in Malaysia to do so.
By the end of her 10-year career as a journalist, she had founded the Malaysian Women’s Journalists Association and became the president of the National Writers Association of Malaysia.
In addition to her work as a writer, Azah was a pioneer for women’s rights. She championed salary equality, separate taxes for working wives and Muslim family amendments, and later founded the Islamic Women’s Action Organization.
Throughout the years, she collected antique garments and fabrics from the old Malay world. With her in-depth knowledge of costume, jewellery and textiles, she lectured about and introduced Malay culture to art festivals and international seminars.
Additionally, she wrote a book on the subject, titled Rupa dan Gaya: Busana Melayu.
She spent her life elevating Malaysian customs so its culture could continue to thrive around the world. For preserving Malay heritage, Azah was awarded an honorary Doctorate degree in arts and education.
“Happy birthday, Azah Aziz! You uplifted the status of Malay traditions and will always be remembered for your contributions as a cultural icon,” Google said.
Azah died on July 9, 2012, in Kuala Lumpur, at the age of 84. – Aug 21, 2022
