Abdul Aziz (right) posing with members of the group during a rehearsal at Istana Iskandariah. — Bernama
THE majestic music played by Nobat Diraja Perak (the Royal Orchestra of Perak) will reverberate through the Balairung Seri (Throne Room) at Istana Negara today during the installation ceremony of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
The head of the orchestra, Abdul Aziz Yahya, said that the occasion is especially significant, as the ensemble had also performed at the wedding of Sultan Ibrahim and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, at Istana Iskandariah on Sept 22, 1982.
Abdul Aziz was deeply grateful to Sultan Ibrahim for bringing the orchestra to Istana Negara for His Majesty’s installation, with the consent of the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah.
Abdul Aziz, who holds the title Toh Setia Guna, explained that the ensemble could only be brought out of the Perak palace and the state’s borders with the consent of the Sultan of Perak.
A member of the Nobat Diraja Perak, Muhammad Shahrul Aizat Mat Jusop, (left) fixing and polishing the flute during a rehearsal at Istana Iskandariah. — Bernama
“We would like to express our deep gratitude to Tuanku Sultan Nazrin for granting his consent for the ensemble to be brought to Kuala Lumpur (Istana Negara),” he told Bernama at Istana Iskandariah recently.
On July 2, the Grand Chamberlain of Istana Negara, Datuk Azuan Effendy Zairakithnaini, said that the request for the consent of Sultan Nazrin Shah to bring the Royal Orchestra to Istana Negara for the King’s installation was very special, and conducted with the utmost respect.
Azuan Effendy said that Sultan Ibrahim personally wrote a letter, which was presented to Sultan Nazrin by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, who chairs the Special Committee for the King’s Installation.
Abdul Aziz, who has been with the Royal Orchestra for 58 years, said that his group of seven musicians had rehearsed three times a week to ensure pitch perfect performance at the installation ceremony.
He said during the ceremony, the nobat ensemble would don its official blue attire and would perform three instrumental songs – Raja Berangkat (upon the King’s arrival at the Throne Room), Nobat Tabal (during the King’s installation) and Raja Berangkat (as the King leaves the Throne Room).
“These songs have never changed. They are the same every time they are played during the enthronement of the Sultan of Perak,” he said.
Besides Abdul Aziz as the leader, the royal orchestra comprises two serunai (flute) players, as well as players for the nafiri (long clarinet), gendang Nobat (Nobat drum), gendang nenghara (melodic drum) and gendang penengkah (rhythmic drum).
According to the Royal Customs of Perak, no Sultan is considered sovereign until he is enthroned to the accompaniment of the Nobat, whose members are descendants of the Kalor community.Abdul Aziz said the Nobat is also performed for the Sultan of Perak’s private events, including the enthronement of the Sultan and Raja Permaisuri of Perak, during the Bersiram Tabal (ceremonial bath) and Hari Meletak (the preparation for the Sultan of Perak’s birthday celebration).
The Royal Orchestra also performs during the investiture ceremony, when the Sultan of Perak confers state honours on members of the public, as well as during Ramadan, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya Aidiladha.The word “nobat” originates from the Persian word ‘naubat,’ which means nine types of instruments. The Nobat is the royal orchestra which has been used for centuries in the Malay states, especially during installation ceremonies.
The Malay states which have a Nobat are Perak, Kedah, Selangor and Terengganu.
