The Star, Wednesday November 5, 2014
Buskers entertaining the crowd with modern and classical songs.
DATARAN Kajang was transformed
into a carnival-like atmosphere at the Kajang Arts Festival and Crafts
Bazaar 2014, as visitors were treated to two days of fun activities,
traditional games and cultural performances over the weekend.
The event, held for the first time, was organised by the Selangor state government in collaboration with the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj).
During the day, more than 20 stalls were opened to the public, which featured everything from paintings and calligraphy to food and orang asli crafts.
At the main stage, visitors were entertained by poems and syair recitals, as well as buskers who belted out modern and classic songs.
There were also traditional games such as checkers and batu seremban as well as a street art wall showcasing works by local graffiti artists.
School teacher Nor Miahni Ahdary said she found out about the event from a local library in Semenyih.
“I also told my pupils to come and visit,” said Nor Miahni, who was visiting with her family.
“We get to learn about traditional items with cultural significance that the younger generation might not know about. That is something you don’t get from textbooks,” she added as she watched over her children Muhammad Aidil, 6, and Seri Fitri, 8, trying to use an old grinder.
The 50-year-old stone grinder was part of a display by the Hulu Langat Community Heritage Centre, led by former Kajang assemblyman “Cikgu” Lee Kim Sin.
“Back in the day, we didn’t have modern conveniences such as blenders. All the different races, whether Malay, Chinese or Indian, used these to grind rice flour for making kueh,” said Lee, who also did calligraphy for visitors.
Also at the booth were old photographs of Kajang and Hulu Langat, as well as a collection of sketches and cardboard pre-war shoplot models made by design students from New Era College, Kajang.
“This is part of our Kajang Cultural Mapping project whereby we are collecting oral history, sketches as well as stories on old Kajang and its development throughout the ages,” said student Tommers Chai, 22.
“I think this event is a good platform for us to remind the youth that Kajang town has a very interesting history and culture, and that we should preserve this heritage, like in Malacca or Penang,” he said.
The Komuniti Keris Warisan booths featured traditional Malay clothing (busana) and decorative weapons such as parang, daggers and spears.
They also had a small archery range where visitors got to try their hand at bows and arrows.
“I think arts and culture do not get a lot of exposure these days. We need more of such festivals as a platform to educate the public,” said Komuniti Keris Warisan member Faisal Mohd Khialdin.
Wong Ming Peng also brought her children to take part in a traditional weaving (anyaman tikar) contest.
Wong, a clerk who stays in Sungai Chua, said she wanted her children to learn about other cultures through their art.
“Since this is a traditional Malay art form, I think it’s good that they can learn something from it. It’s better than wasting their time playing computer games at home,” said Wong, 42.
At night, there were cultural performances by various ethnic groups and a visit by Youth Development, Sports, Culture and Entrepreneurial Development state executive councillor Amirudin Shari.
The crowd was entertained by a lion dance performance, followed by Indian and Malay cultural dances, kompang and a martial arts show featuring Seni Silat Sukmo Rugo.
Speaking at the event, Amirudin said the festival aimed to showcase art and culture from various Malaysian communities.
“It also acts as a platform for local artists to promote their work and products,” he said, adding that this was in line with the state government’s aim to promote art and culture as part of a holistic approach to Selangor’s development.
Amirudin added that they planned to have more art and cultural activities at the end of December to kickstart Visit Selangor Year 2015.
The night ended with a fireworks show and prize-giving ceremony for MPKj’s best neighbourhood contest.
The event, held for the first time, was organised by the Selangor state government in collaboration with the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj).
During the day, more than 20 stalls were opened to the public, which featured everything from paintings and calligraphy to food and orang asli crafts.
At the main stage, visitors were entertained by poems and syair recitals, as well as buskers who belted out modern and classic songs.
School teacher Nor Miahni Ahdary said she found out about the event from a local library in Semenyih.
“I also told my pupils to come and visit,” said Nor Miahni, who was visiting with her family.
“We get to learn about traditional items with cultural significance that the younger generation might not know about. That is something you don’t get from textbooks,” she added as she watched over her children Muhammad Aidil, 6, and Seri Fitri, 8, trying to use an old grinder.
The 50-year-old stone grinder was part of a display by the Hulu Langat Community Heritage Centre, led by former Kajang assemblyman “Cikgu” Lee Kim Sin.
“Back in the day, we didn’t have modern conveniences such as blenders. All the different races, whether Malay, Chinese or Indian, used these to grind rice flour for making kueh,” said Lee, who also did calligraphy for visitors.
Also at the booth were old photographs of Kajang and Hulu Langat, as well as a collection of sketches and cardboard pre-war shoplot models made by design students from New Era College, Kajang.
“This is part of our Kajang Cultural Mapping project whereby we are collecting oral history, sketches as well as stories on old Kajang and its development throughout the ages,” said student Tommers Chai, 22.
“I think this event is a good platform for us to remind the youth that Kajang town has a very interesting history and culture, and that we should preserve this heritage, like in Malacca or Penang,” he said.
The Komuniti Keris Warisan booths featured traditional Malay clothing (busana) and decorative weapons such as parang, daggers and spears.
They also had a small archery range where visitors got to try their hand at bows and arrows.
“I think arts and culture do not get a lot of exposure these days. We need more of such festivals as a platform to educate the public,” said Komuniti Keris Warisan member Faisal Mohd Khialdin.
Wong Ming Peng also brought her children to take part in a traditional weaving (anyaman tikar) contest.
Wong, a clerk who stays in Sungai Chua, said she wanted her children to learn about other cultures through their art.
“Since this is a traditional Malay art form, I think it’s good that they can learn something from it. It’s better than wasting their time playing computer games at home,” said Wong, 42.
At night, there were cultural performances by various ethnic groups and a visit by Youth Development, Sports, Culture and Entrepreneurial Development state executive councillor Amirudin Shari.
The crowd was entertained by a lion dance performance, followed by Indian and Malay cultural dances, kompang and a martial arts show featuring Seni Silat Sukmo Rugo.
Speaking at the event, Amirudin said the festival aimed to showcase art and culture from various Malaysian communities.
“It also acts as a platform for local artists to promote their work and products,” he said, adding that this was in line with the state government’s aim to promote art and culture as part of a holistic approach to Selangor’s development.
Amirudin added that they planned to have more art and cultural activities at the end of December to kickstart Visit Selangor Year 2015.
The night ended with a fireworks show and prize-giving ceremony for MPKj’s best neighbourhood contest.
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| Indian dancers in elaborate costumes performing a cultural dance |
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| A musical performed by Autistic children. |
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| The crowd at the Kajang Arts Festival and Crafts Bazaar being treated to cultural performances by various ethnic groups. |
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| An autoshow featuring colourful modifications and car sound systems were on display. |
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| Artwork by students of New Era College, Kajang. |
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| Sibling Muhammad Aidil (right) and Seri Fitri trying an old grinder used to make rice flour. |
Members of the Seni Silat Sukmo Rogo performing some martial art moves at the Kajang Arts Festival and Crafts Bazaar at Dataran Kajang.
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