KUALA LUMPUR, City folk here were undeterred by heavy rainfall as they enjoyed an amazing performance by the Pioneer Traditional Orchestra of Sarawak Youth (POTRES), who were specially flown in for the 2023 Malaysia MADANI ‘Merakyatkan Seni Warisan Akar Umbi’ Festival at at Laman Beringin, Istana Budaya last Saturday.
POTRES, which brings together young musicians from Kuching, Sarawak, charmed their audience with melodies from their unique traditional bamboo musical instruments such as Marimba, Jatung Utang, Gambang and Angklung, along with accompanying instruments like the sape, bass, accordion and drums.
The fusion of traditional and modern musical instruments merged to create a unique sound featured in the songs they played, including Lemak Manis and Menceceh Bujang Lapok.
POTRES founder and maestro Narawi Rashidi, 59, said his team took the initiative to revive the use of bamboo musical instruments to preserve the art and heritage of traditional music.
“The main target is the younger generation, to prove to them that traditional musical instruments can also be fused with modern musical instruments. We want today’s youth to recognise and appreciate the art of traditional music rather than being influenced by foreign culture,” he told Bernama after the performance.
A Karyawan Seni Negara award recipient, Narawi has noticed that traditional musical instruments gaining acceptance through POTRES, which was set up in October 2022, but admitted that efforts must be made to preserve local musical heritage.
The 40-year veteran traditional music performer also shared his dream of seeing more youth being active in POTRES as he has concerns that traditional music will be forgotten and lost.
“Having passion is important. I also don’t mind training new talent and giving courses for free. This is my passion. Although what we’re fighting for can’t make me a millionaire, we hope to produce future generations of musicians,” said Narawi, who is also the founder of contemporary music groups Tuku’ Kame’ and Alun Menoa.
Although POTRES is only a year old, they have had the opportunity to hold various performances including at the Bamboo Event Weekend, New Year’s Eve 2023, Sape Camp Concert, Borneo Cultural Fest, Baram Regatta and Sarawak Regatta, he said, but plans to replicate this success across in Peninsula Malaysia has been stymied by a lack of funds.
He was optimistic as he expressed his hope that the orchestra would be given the chance to establish themselves and develop this fledgling experimental sound into a successful genre of music.
“It is our great hope that there is someone who is willing to sponsor us. As a large-scale orchestra, we really need continuous support from all parties because what we are bringing is a national treasure,” Narawi said.
POTRES member, Nazra Hazieraffiqmal Aqmaf Abdullah, 23, meanwhile, said that he joined the traditional orchestra to expand his knowledge of music.
“Although I am a member of the Sarawak Symphony Orchestra and play the violin, I still need to start from scratch to master traditional music skills, especially the sape,” he said.
Those who wish to find out more about this amazing traditional orchestra group can visit their official Facebook page.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency