Tok Puteri Che Mohd Zailani Che Moh, better known as Pak Mat Jedok, raising the spiritual intensity during the Main Puteri show. It is a healing performance tradition practised in Kelantan and southern Thailand. A form of traditional psychotherapy, Main Puteri incorporates elements of dance, music, and oral poetry to heal patients suffering from emotional or spiritual illness. – Photo: Putra Othman, Pusaka
A traditional culture festival in the heart of Kuala Lumpur is always a welcome addition to the arts calendar. Panggung Pusaka: Senandung Kota, which took place at the creative arts space The Godown Kuala Lumpur on Oct 6-8, introduced Malaysia’s living traditions to an enthusiastic urban audience.
Curated and produced by cultural organisation Pusaka, the festival presented an array of performances, workshops, and conversations featuring masters of traditional arts from diverse communities across Malaysia – Main Puteri of Kelantan, Kuda Kepang of Johor, Dondang Sayang of Melaka, Mah Meri indigenous performers, Sumazau dancers of Sabah, Urumee Melum drummers, and Silat Jawi practitioners.
Panggung Pusaka: Senandung Kota also featured a talk by Pusaka’s founder Eddin Khoo, a special exhibition featuring photographs from Pusaka’s archives, a short-film screening room, and a bazaar of artisans, and books.
Introduction at The Godown for the Kuda Kepang group by Eddin Khoo, the founder of Pusaka. The traditional culture organisation is set to continue its 21st anniversary celebrations into next year. Photo: Putra Othman, Pusaka
A turnout of over 2,000 people gave the festival a lively and friendly feel, highlighting the success of the weekend’s series of workshops and performances, which created a new community platform for the young and old masses to engage and interact with local custodians from the grassroots.
In celebration of Pusaka’s 21st anniversary, Panggung PUSAKA: Senandung Kota was also supported by a Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) GSSK 2023 grant.
Here are some unforgettable scenes from the performances at the festival:
DRUM MAGIC
Among the most vibrant and essential of the Indian traditions found in Malaysia is the folk tradition of the Urumee Melum. A double-headed hourglass-shaped drum from the state of Tamil Nadu, south India, the Urumee is widely believed to possess deep sacred power, and is mostly associated with the ‘calling of the spirit’ associated with trance rituals. At The Godown in KL, the Chinna Rasa Urumee Melum Masana Kali group, from Ampang, KL, treated the audience to spectacular percussive performance. Photo: Putra Othman, Pusaka
THE HORSEMEN RIDE OUT
Kumpulan Kuda Kepang RHF (from Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor) delivering a mesmerising folk dance of Javanese origins. It is performed by nine male dancers astride two dimensional ‘horses’ made of pleated rattan. The lead horseman, known as the ‘danyang’, is flanked by guardian whipmasters known as ‘badal’. Photo: Putra Othman, Pusaka
WAY OF THE WARRIOR
Magunatip, also known as ‘Bamboo Dance’, is one of the most popular traditional dances of Sabah. This energetic warrior dance is performed by Murut people, who mainly reside in the interior districts of Sabah, and they were the headhunters of Borneo in the past. Photo: Putra Othman, Pusaka
ANCESTRAL DEVOTION
The Mah Meri is one of the Orang Asli (indigenous people) of Peninsular Malaysia. Most of the community reside in Pulau Carey, Selangor. The Mah Meri tribe is known for its wood carvings and weavings, and also for the richness of its songs and dances. Photo: Putra Othman, Pusaka
WHEN LOVE COMES TO TOWN
Dondang Sayang Legasi Nyonya Tan sibling duo Along Asraf and Ayu (left) performing at The Godown KL. Dondang Sayang is believed to have originated in Melaka, during the Melaka Sultanate in the 15th century. ‘Dondang’ means ‘to sing’, ‘sayang’ means ‘love’ - the combination of the words ‘dondang sayang’ means love ballad. Photo: Putra Othman, Pusaka
