MALACCA: The music may stop for the Dondang Sayang if efforts are not undertaken to revive the traditional Malay music, indigenous to Malacca, among the younger generation.
Local Dondang Sayang personality Abas Katan, 63, said although the music had its own following, participation from the younger generation was not satisfactory.
Most of the Dondang Sayang performances in Malacca are held by veteran singers, he said in an interview here.
Dondang Sayang often features pantun (poetry) lyrics performed by singers in a lighthearted and sometimes humorous style.
It is not only performed by the Malays, but has been adopted as part of the Peranakan, Chetty and Portuguese-Malay culture.
It is believed to have been originated in Malacca during the times of the Malay Sultanate, especially during the reign of Sultan Mansur Shah.
The singers are usually accompanied by a violin, two Malay rebana (drums), a tetawak (gong), accordians, and often supplemented by other available instruments like the flute and tabla.
Abas, who is currently teaching Dondang Sayang in Taman Budaya Ayer Keroh here, said television and radio stations should be more active in promoting the music and art form, including introducing a reality show for enthusiasts.
In both federal and state government events, Dondang Sayang performances should be showcased, he said, adding that hotel and resort operators could also invite Dondang Sayang performers to entertain patrons.
Meanwhile, Nyonya Tan Abdullah, 60, a Dondang Sayang enthusiast of Peranakan descent, said the Malacca Dondang Sayang Association and the National Culture and Arts Department would be more active in organising workshops and other programmes to find new talents.
Once found, the new talents should be given the opportunity to sing in a stage show, along with veteran singers, said Nyonya Tan, who is also Malacca Dondang Sayang Association secretary and a trainer at Taman Budaya.
She said students in schools or institutions of higher learning should be more exposed to the Dondang Sayang. -- Bernama
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