Photo: Ronnie Chin/The Star
IPOH: In a record-breaking feat, some 380 drummers played three different types of Tamil drums for 30 minutes non-stop in conjunction with the National Day celebrations.
The drummers, who were from all over Malaysia, pounded on “Tamil Athi”, “Parai Tappu Melam” and “Chatti” drums.
Sebastiar Arts Academy organised the event at the Indian Recreational Club field in Buntong Friday (Sept 10).
The organisers have sent in the endorsement of the event for the most participants playing the drums to the Malaysia Books of Records (MBR).
The academy’s director, Iruthiyam Sebastiar, said since getting the MBR officers to attend the event was costly, they would send an endorsement to them. He hoped that the event would receive the certificate in a month’s time.
“This is the first time such an event is being held on a large scale in Malaysia, with so many participants at one time.
“The “Athi Parai” is an ancient Tamil instrument,” he said, adding that the academy had entered MBR several times before for different traditional events.
The event was opened by the Perak Culture and Arts Department director Abd Rashid Abdullah, who also read the endorsement form.
“Arts and cultural events are a way to forge unity and learn about other cultures.
“When we understand the different cultures, there will be less mocking and better strength in unity,” he added.
Abd Rashid said that once the Lion Dance was confined only to the Chinese community, now Malays and Indians have also started participating.
“So I hope for the Indian traditional drums, maybe it can be introduced to Malay and Chinese schools here as well, to create interest,” he added.
