Ai Hwa, 74, who has over six decades of involvement in the traditional performing arts, is the third generation artiste in her family and is still active to this day, making her one of the renowned traditional arts masters in Penang.

Her daughter Goh Wee Ling, 45, described the recognition as a mark of appreciation for her mother’s dedication and determination in preserving traditional Chinese heritage arts.

“I am very proud of my mother for the achievement she received today, which proves that all her efforts and sacrifices in preserving traditional arts have finally been duly appreciated,” she said after receiving her own ‘Pendukung Seni’ Award in the state ceremony here today.

Goh said her mother began performing Teochew operas when she was 12; although she could neither read nor write as she never attended school, she managed to memorise every line of dialogue and the melodies commendably.

Goh is now continuing the family legacy of the arts heritage with her two other siblings and three nephews who are the fourth and fifth generation heirs of the family.

“I also established the Teochew Puppet and Opera House to preserve and defend this art heritage from being lost to time. With this museum, the younger generation can understand and learn the history of the Toechew community’s puppetry art and classical opera, which is increasingly being forgotten,” she said.

Ai Hwa received the award from state executive councillor Wong Won Hai, the chairman of the Penang tourism and creative economy committee.

The ceremony was also attended by Salmiyah Ahmad, a director of the national culture and arts department.

Four others received the Arts and Culture Pioneer Award while four agency representatives received awards for the government/corporate, NGO and media categories.