DIKIR BARAT 'Sentuhan Teknologi': Kisah Hang Tuah- A Trailblazer Performance Combining Traditional Arts and Digital Technology

October 22, 2022

DIKIR BARAT ‘Sentuhan Teknologi’: Kisah Hang Tuah- A Trailblazer Performance Combining Traditional Arts and Digital Technology

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture through the National Department of Culture and Arts (JKKN) and Persatuan Cinta Seni Budaya (PERSIDAYA), in collaboration with Akademi Arjunasukma, KINO Cinema Media, and PUSAKA, presented the launch of DIKIR BARAT ‘Sentuhan Teknologi’: Kisah Hang Tuah on Thursday, 20th October 2022 at Stage 1 Theatre, Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre (PJPAC).

DIKIR BARAT ‘Sentuhan Teknologi’ is a new style of performance that merges the traditional art form of Dikir Barat with state-of-the-art multimedia technology.

This imaginative and innovative production incorporates three (3) cutting-edge technological techniques to enhance the performance experience—Projection-Mapping, Holographics, and Motion Capture—without compromising the essence of the traditional Dikir Barat.

This programme aims to promote traditional art combined with technology as a cultural tourism product that can provide economic returns to culture and arts practitioners in the long and short term. It also offers a new dimension to traditional arts so that it may align with the needs and sensibilities of the times, and can be marketed internationally.

This production also explores the vast creative possibilities of Dikir Barat as a narrative and theatrical art form, through an ingenious retelling and interpretation of Kisah Hang Tuah, one of Malaysia’s most beloved epics. Kisah Hang Tuah is brought to life through dramatisation and Dikir Barat songs and verses including Karut Yengki, Karut Kelantan, Lagu Jogho, Karut Tani, Lagu Matan, Karut Kelantan and Wau Bulan.

The launch of DIKIR BARAT ‘Sentuhan Teknologi’: Kisah Hang Tuah also features a new documentary that explores Dikir Barat’s roots and history, the old Dikir Barat masters of Kelantan, as well as the contemporary cultural context. There will also be a photography exhibition on the ever-evolving tradition of Dikir Barat.

DIKIR BARAT ‘Sentuhan Teknologi’: Kisah Hang Tuah will also be performed at the Living Arts Cultural Festival (LACF) JKKN on 5th November 2022 at the Mini Auditorium, Malaysian Tourism Centre (MaTiC) Kuala Lumpur.

‘A Touch of Technology’ in DIKIR BARAT

Bringing together the traditional art form of Dikir Barat with interactive technology, this performance showcases how interactive technology can be integrated into traditional performing arts in Malaysia. This project involves collaboration between performing artists and experts of the latest technology such as holographic, projection mapping and motion capture. These three technological elements enhance the creative process and production of performance. For example, projection mapping technology can provide more dynamic backdrop settings, while holographic and motion capture technologies amplify special effects and offer more innovation in the performing arts. This kind of performance concept has a significant impact on both local and international audiences.

Synopsis — The Tale of Hang Tuah

Rumours of Hang Tuah’s disloyalty reach the Sultan. The Sultan is enraged—Hang Tuah is one of his most-beloved warriors, entrusted to keep the peace of his kingdom. The Sultan orders Dato Bendahara (the Grand Vizier) to capture and kill Hang Tuah.

Dato Bendahara does not believe the rumours. He finds and captures Hang Tuah but decides not to kill him. Instead, he hides Hang Tuah in a forest.

Hang Jebat receives news that Hang Tuah has been killed and goes on a rampage against the Sultan, whom he considers cruel to have killed Hang Tuah. In the wake of the chaos left by Hang Jebat, Hang Tuah is brought home to resolve the conflict. Finally, Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat face off in battle. During this fierce encounter, an old man appears and advises them not to fight. They listen to the old man and make peace with each other. From then on, the people of Malacca lived in peace and harmony.

“JKKN is always committed to promoting the integration of interactive technology in performing arts in Malaysia and the empowerment of arts and culture entrepreneurs through the use of technology in promoting cultural arts to the international level,” said Tuan Haji Mesran bin Mohd Yusop, Director General of JKKN in his statement today. To get more information about this program, the public can visit JKKN’s website, which is www.jkkn.gov.my or can visit JKKN’s Facebook page through the link www.facebook.com/mysenibudaya.