Malaysia has a very diverse theatrical history. Since Malaysia was a popular destination on the trading route, it was exposed to numerous different cultures. Consequently the racial population in Malaysia is a melting pot of Malays, Chinese, Indians, native groups and other minorities such as the Arabs, Portuguese and Eurasians. Many of the theatrical performances deal with folklore and fairy tales that have been communicated by means of oral tradition. Hindu, Indonesian, Portuguese and other sources of influence also exist in Malaysian theatre.
The scope of traditional theatre forms of Malaysia covers music, theatre, dance and drama. These forms include and are not limited to: Bangsawan, Boria, Jikey, Muk Mulung, Mak Yong, Wayang Kulit, and Menora.
The scope of traditional theatre forms of Malaysia covers music, theatre, dance and drama. These forms include and are not limited to: Bangsawan, Boria, Jikey, Muk Mulung, Mak Yong, Wayang Kulit, and Menora.
Bangsawan
Bangsawan theatre is more commonly known as Malay Opera. Usual themes are stories of love, bravery, and heroism of princes and folk heroes. It was originally developed from Indian theatre in the 19h century. The stories are sourced from India, Western culture, Islam, China, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Similarly, bangsawan music is diverse and very different when compared to traditional theatre. Vocal styles are predominantly Malay and are cyclical in nature. Harmonies and instruments have been influenced by Western culture and scales and rhythms can be influenced by the Chinese, Arabs, Javanese and Indians. Common instruments found in the bangsawan are the violin, the accordion and Malay percussion instruments such as the kompang.
Similarly, bangsawan music is diverse and very different when compared to traditional theatre. Vocal styles are predominantly Malay and are cyclical in nature. Harmonies and instruments have been influenced by Western culture and scales and rhythms can be influenced by the Chinese, Arabs, Javanese and Indians. Common instruments found in the bangsawan are the violin, the accordion and Malay percussion instruments such as the kompang.
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Boria
Another type of Malay theatre is the boria. It has origins from Muslim India and has become the single form of theatre in Penang, Malaysia. The boria was originally played to celebrate the Shia Islam festival, the Mourning of Muharram
A boria performance has a leader, a chorus, comedians and musicians. It starts with humourous scenes that are followed by a song-dance routine. The boria is syncretic as the song-dance routine is commonly performed with Western style music. Dances such as rumbas, cha-chas and soul are employed. The primary instrument used is a violin but Western, Malay, or Indian drums, as well as Chinese cymbals, are also used.
A boria performance has a leader, a chorus, comedians and musicians. It starts with humourous scenes that are followed by a song-dance routine. The boria is syncretic as the song-dance routine is commonly performed with Western style music. Dances such as rumbas, cha-chas and soul are employed. The primary instrument used is a violin but Western, Malay, or Indian drums, as well as Chinese cymbals, are also used.
Jikey
Jikey is a form of traditional theatre that is popular in Kedah and Perlis. Rumours say that Jikey originated from merchants caught evading tax. For them to be free, the king demanded singing and dancing for them to repay their debts. The stories told in Jikey performances are folk tales.
Common instruments used in the Jikey include three drums, a serunai (oboe), a bell and a tambourine. A complete orchestra can have jingle-less rebana (Malay tambourines) in three sizes, a tambourine, a gong, five or more pairs of cerek, a pair of kesi, and a serunai.
Common instruments used in the Jikey include three drums, a serunai (oboe), a bell and a tambourine. A complete orchestra can have jingle-less rebana (Malay tambourines) in three sizes, a tambourine, a gong, five or more pairs of cerek, a pair of kesi, and a serunai.
This is an example of Jikey (a.k.a. Likey in Southern Thailand). A Malay dialect is used.
Mek Mulung
Mek Mulung is a dance drama that is only found in Kedah. It takes cues from Mak Yong, Menora and Arabic Hadras. The musicians do the singing in a plain, syllabic style. instruments present in a Mek Mulung troupe are the semborong, gong, serunai and kecerek.
Mak Yong
Mak Yong or Makyung is a dance drama that combines dance, opera, drama and comedy. It originated from Kelantan as court entertainment. Mak Yong is known as the most authentic and representative of Malay performing arts since it has been relatively untouched by outsiders. Most of the Mak Yong stories are based on Kelantan-Pattani mythology and was used for healing purposes.
The musical ensemble consists of gongs, drums and rebab. The Mak Yong utilizes a layered approach to musical style. The gong is the foundation for the musical structure. The gendong drums play the percussive rhythm and the melody is sung by a vocalist and played on the rebab.
The musical ensemble consists of gongs, drums and rebab. The Mak Yong utilizes a layered approach to musical style. The gong is the foundation for the musical structure. The gendong drums play the percussive rhythm and the melody is sung by a vocalist and played on the rebab.
Wayang Kulit
The wayang kulit uses light and shadow to bring its character to life. Its origins are unknown but contains heavy Javanese and Hindu influence. The shadow play is accompanied by a gamelan orchestra that consists of about 1-30 musicians. The musical style is highly complex and the gamelan only plays periodically or to complement the drama. Various tempos and volume dynamics are used throughout the course of the performance.
Menora
The menora is a dance drama originally from southern Thailand but is also practiced in the northern states of Malaysia. The stories are usually about Thai legends and Buddhist tales. These stories have been acculturated into Malay society for a long time.
The musical ensemble focuses heavily on percussion instruments including hand and finger cymbals, small gongs, wooden sticks, gendang, a reed instrument and a klong drum. Every performance has an invocation which is a dance and a play or skit by the main character. In the menora performance the poetry can be sung by the actor behind the stage curtain and is accompanied with rhythmic patterns played by the percussionists. Dance may or may not accompany the singing.
The musical ensemble focuses heavily on percussion instruments including hand and finger cymbals, small gongs, wooden sticks, gendang, a reed instrument and a klong drum. Every performance has an invocation which is a dance and a play or skit by the main character. In the menora performance the poetry can be sung by the actor behind the stage curtain and is accompanied with rhythmic patterns played by the percussionists. Dance may or may not accompany the singing.