Trailblazing women (from left): Marsha Milan Londoh, Alena Murang and Velvet Aduk to perform at MPO’s 'Sounds Of Borneo' concert at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas in Kuala Lumpur on Sept 7. Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong
Three talented female artists—a Sarawakian sape player, a Sabahan singer-songwriter, and a Sabahan singer-actress—each showcase the rich cultural heritage of Borneo.
Alena Murang, Velvet Aduk and Marsha Milan Londoh are set to collaborate with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) to present a Malaysia Day-themed concert themed Sounds Of Borneo at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas in Kuala Lumpur on Sept 7.
It not only marks MPO’s inaugural Borneo-centric concert, to be led by associate conductor Luqman Aziz, but also the three artistes’ first time performing with an orchestra.
“This is nerve-racking,” says Aduk, 37, at a recent press conference in KL for the upcoming show.
“But we’re happy because we get to showcase our culture to the West Malaysian audience.”
The Kota Kinabalu-based singer expresses happiness at being able to perform on such a big stage.
“We’re the lucky ones,” the trio humbly states when Effendy Khalid, Head, Business & Strategic Relationship Management, MPO, explains the three of them were chosen as they are the “epitome of successful Bornean artists in Malaysia.”
While Londoh and Murang are both KL-based, they admit to facing similar challenges when it comes to earning recognition for their music.
“When Velvet and I started (making songs together), we weren’t even confident to release them,” says Londoh, 38, who has released several songs – including some in their Kadazandusun language – with her fellow Akademi Fantasia alumna. What started out as a passion project turned into a unique collaboration following the encouraging support they’ve received.
Londoh hopes that through their concert with MPO, they will be able to showcase Sabahan songs and culture to a bigger audience.
“We hope to see West Malaysians (in the audience),” she adds. “Of course we want Sabahans too, but we would like to share our culture with people who are not from Borneo.”
Music for all
With Sabah and Sarawak often perceived as a single entity or interchangeable with each other by non-Borneans, greater exposure – such as the one gained through this MPO collaboration – lends a hand in dispersing that notion and highlighting the unique cultural offerings and identity that each state possesses.
At the MPO concert, Sarawak’s cultural essence will be powerfully embodied by Murang, a devoted artiste who has tirelessly championed the sape, transforming this traditional instrument into a symbol of Sarawak’s heritage on the global stage.
Last June, she held her first standalone concert in Malaysia, presenting the Sky Songs showcase at PJPAC, which celebrated the rich Kelabit and Kenyah folk heritage, with a contemporary twist.
Murang also often performs at cultural events abroad; unfortunately, sape remains underappreciated locally.
“I started playing sape 20 years ago. At the time there was hardly anybody in my generation, and my father’s generation, playing it. This concert is something significant for the Orang Ulu community and for sape players as well,” says the 35-year-old, who is among the first females to have mastered the lute instrument traditionally reserved for use by male healers during spiritual healing ceremonies.
“For many years and still to some extent, sape music or Sarawakian music very much sits in the ‘tourism box’ rather than the music industry,” she continues, adding that her songs being in Kelabit and Kenyah, both endangered languages, limit their airtime due to the music industry’s guidelines.
“So, I hope that our songs get appreciated as music itself, not just for tourism or cultural performance.”
Motivation for more
Aside from getting to share their cultures through the MPO show, the recognition that the trio earns also serves as motivation for them to continue creating their music.
“Sometimes we question ourselves, ‘Why are we still doing this? Is anyone even listening to them?’” Aduk shares her concern regarding her self-produced songs with Londoh.
“And then this happened – we’re getting recognised on a national level.”
The call she received from MPO a month ago reignited her passion, rekindling a deep-seated hope that other Bornean artists will be inspired by her journey, realising that their music can resonate far beyond the shores of their island. Though the trio harbours concerns about how their songs will translate within an orchestral setting, they eagerly anticipate the unique fusion that this special arrangement promises.
“The sounds of Sabahan songs and sape music are different from the orchestra, so we have to know how to meet them halfway,” explains Murang.
Her setlist includes Pemung Jae, Midang Midang, Warrior Spirit, Liling and her recent Iban-language song with Aduk, titled Bejugit Betanda Menari.
Meanwhile, Aduk and Londoh will be performing their songs together, including Sumandak Sabah, Oi Gaman and Insan Tadau.
All three, however, highly anticipate their first ever live performance of War Cry. Released last year in conjunction with Malaysia Day, it is a song about unity and celebrating cultural heritage.
“War Cry encapsulates our Bornean pride, and we look forward to sharing it through our performance,” says Aduk.
Sounds Of Borneo is set to take place at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas in KL on Sept 7. Showtime: 8.30pm.
