Malaysia’s Queen of Rhythms is set to stage the Qalam Noraniza Idris concert at Panggung Bangsawan in Melaka from Sept 27 to 29. Photo: Handout
Noraniza Idris has been in the music industry for 40 years now.
And, for almost 30 years out of that time, she has been exploring the Irama Malaysia genre, earning her the nickname Ratu Irama Malaysia.
Since starting on this traditional rhythms journey with the first Irama Malaysia track she recorded, Awallah Dondang for her 1997 album Ala Dondang, the 56-year-old has not stopped studying about this local music.
If anything, it has made her even more passionate in ensuring the genre does not disappear.
“The first 10 years I was in the entertainment industry, I didn’t know anything. I just followed whatever people told me to do,” she told StarLifestyle in a recent interview.
“Even when people lied to me, I didn’t know better and I just followed.
“After a decade, when I got involved with Irama Malaysia, I became more aware and independent. I learned all there is to know so no one could lie to me.
“I realised that to be in the industry, you really need to have your own identity and not one created by someone else,” said Noraniza, who started as a wedding singer, and later became a recording artiste after participating in Bintang RTM, a talent search singing contest, in 1985.
Her passion in this genre led her to establish Akademi Tatih Seni in 2010, under her company Noraniza Idris Production.
Her lesson modules in this academy are on the different types of ethnic dances under Irama Malaysia such as Inang, Joget and Zapin, which she simplifies for easy understanding.
“The students can go from not knowing anything to knowing everything (about ethnic dances) through this six-month programme,” she explained.
Presently, she is working with schools in Malaysia to hold one class every Sunday for a small fee.
“I teach 12 types of dances to the students over a period of six months,” she said.
“Right now, the class takes place at a school in Seremban and the students come from all over Malaysia,” she added.
Helmed by three facilitators – a choreographer, an instructor and the person who teaches the basics – the class runs from 9am to 6pm. Noraniza tries to be present at every class if she has nothing else on for the day.
“This is a priority for me, so I will definitely be there to see the progress of the students.”
According to her, she doesn’t have much funds and at times not enough money to pay the facilitators. But, she said, she will carry on running the lessons as she loves doing it and feels a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.
“When I started this programme, I realised that even children as young as five are keen to learn about Irama Malaysia.
“Unfortunately, some of the information out there, like on YouTube, is incorrect. That’s why I am doing this as not many people are teaching the proper technique.
“This is so that the Irama Malaysia genre will not be forgotten by the next generation.”
Although admitting there is a gradual decline of interest in Irama Malaysia among the youth as modern musical influences take centre stage, Noraniza remains optimistic.
“There are many opportunities in expanding Irama Malaysia from tourism and cultural aspects.
“My aim is mainly to equip those who have the interest but know nothing about Irama Malaysia with the knowledge so that they can take it and go beyond what I have taught them,” she said.
Her sense of purpose to keep this genre alive comes from her own beginning.
“When I first started to do this genre, I was taught to always do research on the types of dances and rhythm that I wanted to sing.
“It wasn’t easy as there weren’t many places where I could get the information. I had to go to the library, do research from newspaper clippings as part of my homework.
“I also attended many cultural talks and discussions to truly understand all there is to know about the Irama Malaysia.”
She recalled to StarLifestyle that she once went to study with an Orang Asli tribe, which was an almost impossible task to begin with as they don’t welcome strangers.
It would take months for her to convince them, but she finally did.
“When I stayed with them, I learned that their songs are inspired by the sounds they hear around them. For example, (the wailing sounds) are actually them emulating the sound of wind they hear in the jungle.”
Her research also took her to Jakarta, Indonesia, when she was studying the Jawa sounds and dance moves.
“Only I know how tiring this process is, but I feel that this is something I have to do.
“As long as we are willing to learn, no matter our age, I feel like our passions will be burning bright,” she said.
Noraniza Idris is a four-time Anugerah Industri Muzik winner in the Best Ethnic Pop Song category. Photo: The Star
The culmination of the singer’s longtime effort in reviving Irama Malaysia has her holding her first solo concert, Qalam Noraniza Idris, at Panggung Bangsawan in Melaka from Sept 27 to 29.
It is organised by Persatuan Tatihseni Malaysia in collaboration with the National Department for Culture and Arts Melaka.
What sets Qalam Noraniza Idris apart from anything else by local artistes is that it features a “concert in a competition” concept.
Four hundred participants from national traditional dance competitions will appear on stage with the Dikir Puteri singer.
“During the three-day concert, I will be the lead singer and these dancers will be accompanying my performances with their own choreographs,” Noraniza said.
The concert will feature dancers of various ages from across the country, divided into three categories: seven to 12 years old (primary school), 13 to 17 years old (secondary school), and 17 years old and above (open category).
The dance portion in Irama Malaysia music is crucial as the genre needs visual for people to truly understand. Photo: The Star
The four-time Anugerah Industri Muzik winner in the Best Ethnic Pop Song category said Qalam Noraniza Idris is yet another part of her efforts to revive Irama Malaysia genre, which she said has become increasingly quiet, especially after the passing of the esteemed composer Pak Ngah.
“We can’t really depend on the music industry as it usually follows the current trends.
“So I decided to approach more directly via this concert and the competition as it would involve the public.”
The dance portion in her concert she said is crucial as Irama Malaysia is a category that needs visual for people to truly understand.
Noraniza knows this only too well as she’s nabbed Best Performance award with her elaborate staging at the Anugerah Juara Lagu for Dikir Puteri (1998), Dondang Dondang (1999), Ngajat Tampi (2000) and Hatinya Tak Tahan (2004).
For the concert, she’s working with various government agencies and schools across the country to make this concert a reality.
“I aim to showcase Irama Malaysia through my songs. I may not be the most successful singer, but my music is being played and heard.
“ I’m happy and satisfied that my 30 years of singing Irama Malaysia have made an impact.”
Tickets for the Qalam Noraniza Idris concert are priced at RM46, RM95, RM145, RM195 and RM245 (excluding ticket fees & charges) and are available at www.ilassotickets.com.
