Google pays tribute to film-maker Yasmin Ahmad with doodle

Search engine Google today paid tribute to renowned Malaysian film director, writer and scriptwriter, the late Yasmin Ahmad, with a doodle on its homepage logo to commemorate her birthday and achievements.

In a statement, Head of Communications & Public Affairs for Google Malaysia Zeffri Yusof said Google had chosen today to commemorate Yasmin, who had sought to bring together Malaysians of every gender, ethnicity and persuasion through her work.

Google doodles have been produced to celebrate international holidays, anniversaries, and the lives of noted artists and scientists.

A special team of doodlers at Google design the doodles based on the suggestions of Googlers and its users. It is visible to users who visit the www.google.com website.

Zeffri expressed Google's thanks to Yasmin’s family for their permission and approval for the doodle.

Yasmin, who died in 2009, had produced numerous commercials and films in Malaysia, which were well known for their humour, heartwarming message and love which cut across cultural barriers.

Her commercials for national oil giant Petronas for the festive seasons, especially, were much awaited and talked about and won multiple awards both locally and internationally.

In 2008, Yasmin was inducted into the Malaysian Advertising Hall of Fame by the Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia.

She also directed award-winning movies such as Sepet, Gubra, Mukhsin, Muallaf and Talentime.

Yasmin got in a tight spot several times when directing her movies as they depicted events and relationships which were considered a taboo subject by conservative Islamists in Malaysia.

Although it has been four-and-a-half years since her death, Yasmin's work is still fondly remembered by fans and those in the industry and served as a benchmark for many. – January 7, 2014.