HISTORY
The historic Malaysian kingdom of Melaka was once one of the world's greatest seaports and a powerful empire in South-East Asia. History imparts that Parameswara, a fugitive Prince from Palembang, Sumatra, who arrived in Melaka after fleeing from Temasik, founded this thriving capital in the early 1400s.
Melaka's strategic location, which sat astride the prosperous East-West maritime trade route, allowed Parameswara and his followers to establish Melaka as the first maritime power based in Malaya. Its rise from a village of royal refugees to a wealthy empire and international centre for trade and commerce was swift.
During Melaka's golden years, the Sultan of the kingdom was the supreme ruler. His power was absolute. He was advised by his Prime Minister (or Bendahara) and served by skilful and powerful warriors.
The Melaka Sultanate era is the setting for Puteri Gunung Ledang, an epic drama framed by slices of history and ancient folklore. Historical facts and mythology are fused to tell this tale of forbidden love, set in a time when allegiance and honour to country overwhelmed personal needs and desires. The story depicts a very real, modern and familiar conflict between one's duty and one's self. The proverbial notion of destiny is alluded to and the message pronounces that one's fate cannot be evaded.SYNOPSIS
The historic Malaysian kingdom of Melaka was once one of the world's great trading ports and the most powerful maritime empire in South-East Asia. Puteri Gunung Ledang is set in the thriving 15th century Melaka Sultanate and the grand Javanese kingdom of Majapahit. History, mythology and fiction are fused to tell a fateful tale of forbidden love, in a time when allegiance and honour to country are foremost to personal desires.
Gusti Putri Retno Dumillah (Tiara Jacquelina), a Princess of the Majapahit Kingdom, has fallen profoundly in love with one of Melaka's most commanding and spirited warriors, Hang Tuah (M. Nasir). A vivid dream compels the Princess to commit the unspeakable and leave her assigned palace life. Without consent from her King, she sets sail across the open seas with the unflinching hope that she can be reunited with her one true love.
Soon after the Princess' parting, the Majapahit Kingdom is attacked by the powerful Javanese Kingdom of Demak. Desperate to quell the invasion, Gusti Putri's brother and King, Gusti Adipati Handaya Ningrat (Alex Komang), initiates a plan to offer his sister's hand in marriage to the Prince of Demak. Her absence renders this solution impossible. The King's only hope for security is to forge an alliance with the mighty Melaka Sultanate by offering his sister's hand in marriage to Sultan Mahmud Shah of Melaka.
The Sultan accepts. But the Princess is unable to bring herself to do this as she could not bear to be his Queen. The Princess instead offers to marry the Prince of Demak. But the indignant Sultan will not accept rejection nor will he be publicly humiliated. He plots to ensure that he will, at all costs, marry the Princess.
Hang Tuah is ordered to head the royal delegation and propose to Gusti Putri on behalf of the Sultan. The warrior devotedly leads the convoy up Gunung Ledang in search of the woman he deeply loves. The Princess attempts to curtail their advance, but eventually she yields to Hang Tuah's appeal.
After a fleeting and tender reunion, the Princess is painfully aware that her beloved's foremost duty is that of a warrior. Despite confessing his love for her, he will not forsake the Sultan's wishes. Brokenhearted, she agrees to marry the Sultan on the proviso that he is able to solve and fulfill seven riddles.
When the Sultan learns of the Princess' prohibitive conditions he is even more determined to marry her.
Will he sacrifice his own son's life to fulfill the final riddle? Will Hang Tuah and the Princess ever find happiness together? |
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