'I felt it was time to create something deeply rooted in my Sarawakian heritage and my identity as the son of a rubber tapper,' says Raziman Sarbini about his debut full-length dance piece, 'Echoes Of The Hornbill's Cry.' Photo: Raziman Company
Dancer and choreographer Raziman Sarbini is poised to captivate theatregoers with Echoes Of The Hornbill’s Cry, a contemporary dance workshop piece that brings movement and storytelling to life at Panggung Bandaraya DBKL this weekend. This free admission performance is part of the Kreatif KL Festival 2024.
Set against the backdrop of the historic theatre hall across from Merdeka Square in KL, Echoes Of The Hornbill’s Cry will debut on Nov 16 and 17.
Raziman, joined by dancers Fara Ling and Kim Khoo, is set to blur the lines between contemporary and traditional dance, inspired by the vibrant cultural heritage of Sarawak. Featuring original music, custom-designed costumes, and an evocative set, this 60-minute showcase brings Raziman’s Sarawakian heritage to a wider audience, reflecting his 13-year journey in dance.
The piece is also enriched with influences from his years of study and performance in New York, merging tradition with contemporary expression.
In 2017, he was the recipient of a scholarship from Yayasan Sarawak Tunku Abdul Rahman, pursuing a Masters in Fine Arts (for three years) at the New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Raziman views 'Echoes Of The Hornbill’s Cry' as a personal tribute to the spirit of Sarawak, celebrating its people, heritage, and natural beauty. Photo: Raziman Company
“This choreography is inspired by my journey as a dancer performing across the globe,” says Raziman, 33, in a recent interview.
“I felt it was time to create something deeply rooted in my Sarawakian heritage and my identity as the son of a rubber tapper,” he adds.
Originally from Limbang, Sarawak, Raziman draws on his rich background to shape this new work.
Once an avid school athlete, Raziman pursued his passion for dance at 19, auditioning for Kuala Lumpur's National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (Aswara), where he earned a place, graduated on the Dean’s List, and was named Best Dance Graduate in 2015.
Back then, as a principal dancer with Malaysia’s ASK Dance Company, he also performed internationally.
Now based in Kuala Lumpur as the programme director of the Bachelor of Performing Arts at TUTAS – the performing arts conservatory by Taylor’s University and The Actors Studio – Raziman shares that he aims to focus on a few key elements in developing Echoes Of The Hornbill’s Cry.
'My hope is that the narrative of this new work resonates deeply with the audience, both visually and emotionally,' says Khoo. Photo: Raziman Company
“I’m drawn to the close connection to nature that shaped my early years before I moved to the city, so for my first full-length work, I wanted to bring Sarawak’s stories to life through movement, honouring the land, heritage, and spiritual essence of nature that continue to influence who I am as an artist,” said Raziman, who is no stranger to the big stage, with showcases at the Rainforest Fringe Festival (RFF) in Kuching and George Town Festival in 2018.
“Firstly, I wanted to highlight how Sarawak is a richly multicultural land, where every community deeply values the spiritual dimensions of life. Secondly, I wanted to address the critical issue of Sarawak’s forests, much of which have become secondary growth due to deforestation,” he added.
According to Raziman, the loss of primary rainforest has led to habitat destruction and threatens numerous species, including the endangered Helmeted Hornbill, which was classified as critically endangered in 2015, primarily due to poaching driven by the high ornamental and medicinal value placed on its unique red casque.
“By bringing attention to these themes, I hope to inspire a sense of urgency around conservation and to advocate for the protection of the land and species that are integral to Sarawak's identity.
Ling, who was previously part of the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company in the US, is making her Malaysian debut in this performance. Photo: Raziman Company
“Ultimately, Echoes Of The Hornbill’s Cry is a tribute to the spirit of Sarawak, celebrating its people, heritage, and natural beauty, while also reflecting on the responsibility we hold to safeguard them for future generations,” said Raziman.
For dancers Ling and Khoo, they share Raziman’s excitement in staging the work-in-progress for audiences.
“I am profoundly grateful to have participated in the creation of this work. Not only do I get to work with Raziman, an artist that I have looked up to for a decade, but the themes we embody in the piece intersect with questions I am asking as someone seeing Malaysia with fresh eyes after being abroad,” says Ling, 23, who was previously part of the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company in the US and is making her Malaysian debut in this performance.
“Working on Echoes of the Hornbill’s Cry with Raziman and dancers from such diverse backgrounds has been both inspiring and eye-opening,” says Khoo, 27.
“My hope is that the narrative of this new work resonates deeply with the audience, both visually and emotionally, and brings something fresh and impactful to the local arts scene,” she adds.
Supported by Think City and part of the Kreatif KL Festival 2024, Echoes Of The Hornbill’s Cry will be staged at Panggung Bandaraya DBKL, Jalan Raja, City Centre, KL on Nov 16 (8.30 pm) and Nov 17 (3pm). Tickets are free but require reservation here.
