Welcome to Pesta Raya - Malay Festival of Arts.
The Hari Raya period is a time of feasting and gathering, and we are really glad to have you with us as we showcase the best of what the Malay Archipelago can offer. Through the diverse art forms and programmes that we present yearly, the Pesta Raya team strives to bring you fresh perspectives on the plurality of the Malay identity, whether they are deeply rooted in the traditional, or articulating the contemporary way of life, as well as present works that inspire others to look towards the Malay Archipelago as a source of inspiration.
In the spirit of bringing people together, we are reunited once again with some of our long-time collaborators. This edition sees Teater Ekamatra restaging our festival's first Malay play, Main², which marks its 15th anniversary this year. We also welcome revered gamelan composer Rahayu Supanggah back on our stage, as he brings us yet another mesmerising production, this time a lush orchestral soundtrack that sets a magical backdrop to renowned filmmaker Garin Nugroho's stunning black-and-white silent film, Setan Jawa. This cross-cultural collaboration takes the live gamelan performance beyond its traditional context, giving us a new experience of the art form.
Performing for the first time at the festival, Malaysian rock icon Ella and Indonesia's rising indie-alternative music group Payung Teduh add diversity to our music line-up. The latter, whose music combines both traditional and contemporary music forms, are making headway in their local scene with their use of keroncong, folk, pop and jazz. There are also traditional performances to catch and activities for the whole family that might help you discover a little more about Malay art forms during the festival. We hope to give you a deeper appreciation of Malay culture and heritage and a better understanding of the different communities situated around the region.
This year, Esplanade turns 15 as an arts centre. And as we commemorate this special occasion, we celebrate the friendships forged and all the fond memories that we have made.
More importantly, we look forward to the new challenges ahead, and to celebrating more milestones with you.
– Hanie Nadia Hamzah (Lead Programmer, Pesta Raya - Malay Festival of Arts)
(Source: Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay Festival Guide)