Connoisseurs of culture enjoyed three nights of exotic aural pleasures with Istana Budaya's 'Konsert Simfoni Rakyat Malaysia - A Traditional Malaysian Symphony'. The event, which was held nightly from 5th to 7th March, featured 100 performers - Chinese, Indian and Malay musicians, as well as those of the indigenous peoples of Sabah and Sarawak - playing traditional instruments from their respective cultures.

Among the musical instruments featured during the concert were the Malay serunai and rebab; the Chinese er hu and yang ching; the Indian sitar and tabla; and the sape and sompoton from Borneo.

There was an exciting, experimental edge to the new compositions, which were specially commissioned for this production with the aim to express the myriad sounds and voices found among Malaysia's multi-racial population. The composers and music arrangers whose works were featured include Ayob Ibrahim, Saidah Rastam, Yii Kah Hoe, Nasir P. Ramlee, Narawi Haji Rashidi, Pauzi Majid, Perul, Shamsul Zin and Yazid Zakaria.

The fusion of sounds from different cultures also brought a fresh twist to popular classics and folk songs like the familiar Chinese favourite "Shanghai Beach"; the exuberant lagu rakyat, "Lodeh Mat Lodeh"; and Tamil folk number "Manmatha Raasa".

There were also special appearances by renowned guest artistes - namely Ramli Sarip, Zainal Abidin, Liza Hanim, Datin Sri Manimala, Elaine Kang and Muthu Kumaran - much to the delight of the music lovers in the audience.

The sonorous Ramli Sarip, a respected composer and producer and a compelling singer, has been in the music scene for more than two decades.

A great performance was also given by Zainal Abidin, who is known for his distinctively ethnic, yet accessible musical style, and for producing some of world music's best-loved and internationally acclaimed albums: 'Hijau', 'Ikhlas' and 'Gamal'.

Elaine Kang, one of Malaysia's top Chinese recording artists, is much sought-after both locally and internationally. With 28 albums under her belt - in three languages, no less - this lady is an accomplished actress as well.

Winner of the Best Vocal Performance award at Juara Lagu 2002, the lovely Liza Hanim established her position as one of the country's top female artistes with hit songs like "Gelisah Mimpi".

Dubbed 'the singing lawyer', Datin Sri Manimala is a veteran of many TV music productions and concert performances whose affair with showbiz began at the age of nine, when she gave her debut stage performance.

Discovered by television station NTV7, Muthu Kumaran is a talented actor and singer who has received much attention from the local Indian press, who view him as a promising new talent.

With such a remarkable array of music exponents, this ambitious concert production aspired not only to be an education in traditional and ethnic music forms, but also a presentation of the musical harmony and racial unity among the people of Malaysia.

Words & Photographs by : Mavis Hooi