Time to ‘Gerak’: Virtual festival celebrating traditional performances go live Sept 16
by Coconuts KLA festival celebrating Malaysia’s traditional performances will go live online for two weeks starting Sept 16.
From the classical Indian bharatanatyam dance by the Suvarna Fine Arts academy to the wayang kulit (shadow puppet) repertoire by the Perak Association of Theatre Arts, 17 traditional music, theatre and dance performances will be streamed live on YouTube and the Gerak Angin (Movement of the Wind) website for free in conjunction with Malaysia Day celebrations.
Other acts include award-winning sape (indigenous Kelabit instrument from Sarawak) player Alena Murang and a traditional Kelantanese musical by Geng Wak Long.
There is one performance scheduled to go live per day until Oct. 2. The festival culminates with an enchanting Odissi (classical Indian dance) performance on the last day.
The event is organized by the Masakini Theatre Company, Sutra Foundation, and marketing agency Surprise Ventures, and spearheaded by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
“Gerak Angin captures the essence of being Malaysian and more importantly these rousing performances will surely reawaken and uplift spirits, something we all need at this time,” Minister Nancy Shukri said in a press release.
“After a tumultuous few months due to the pandemic – that severely impacted many artists, we are confident that Gerak Angin can stir the winds that will lift the entire performing arts scene to new heights,” Ramli Ibrahim, chairman of contemporary arts company Sutra Foundation, said.
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