Entitled “Nusantara,” which is defined as a bridge between islands, the Malaysian Students Association’s (MASA) first ever Malaysian Cultural Night sets a precedent for all other cultural events being coordinated by student organizations. Nusantara, created to present a fraction of the vast culture present in Malaysia to the Rensselaer student body and the community, consisted of various dances, elegant fashion, singing, and a skit.
Perfection was truly the aim for the night. The show began promptly at 8:05 pm to a filled auditorium. As the curtains opened, the colors orange, red, gold, and white could be seen hanging from drapes at the back of the stage.
With little delay, the first act graced the stage. The performers all wore red shirts and gold headbands. The dance, titled Dikir Barat, was named such because of the energetic singing and reviving instrumentations used throughout. The audience frequently applauded and moved their hands and feet in synchronization with the beating of the drums. It was evident that the danceres were exceptionally prepared, as they were flawless in their movements and genuinely enjoying themselves. Their lively facial expressions and relaxed body movements were a testament to this.
The jubilancy of the first performance proved a perfect introduction to the show. To my surprise the it only got better, and the energy and excitement built up by the first dance remained throughout night.
The second act was a fashion show displaying a range of clothing present in Malaysia due to the many cultures and ethnic groups inhabiting the country. Traditional Malay, Chinese, Indian, modern Malay, and the ceremonial wedding attire were modeled. “Fashion Education,” as this segment was titled, was extremely organized. Each scene had an accompanying skit that kept the audience laughing and tuned in.
Following the “Fashion Education,” a brief video vastly resembling an infomercial, was presented. The video showcased the culture and landscape of Malaysia. After viewing this it was evident that promoting Malaysian culture was a primary objective of the event.
Next came four dance performances that weaved together the modern and classic dances of the country. It showcased the Chinese fan dance and the Indian Bhangra to name a few. They were accompanied by cultural music and vibrant costumes, adding to the energy and excitement in the audience.
The final presentation before intermission was a musical play entitled “Doa Ibu,” which translated to “A Mother’s Prayers.” This play, based on a traditional Malaysian bedtime story about an ungrateful son, Sazali, and his mother, Fatimah, was exceptionally performed. The actors were extremely convincing and conveyed their emotions well to the audience. The story in itself has a good underlying meaning. It emphasizes that one should always remember those who love and care about them, even after they have moved into the depths of the world. As sung by the mother throughout the play, “A sacrifice, one of treasure or life, is the display of ultimate love, compassionate and true.”
At intermission there were various Malaysian foods being sold. I couldn’t help but sample as many of them as possible, and luckily they proved as delicious as they looked. Intermission was brief, however, as much was planned for the night.
After intermission the play concluded. Four other performances followed the play. Of these, were a riveting martial arts presentation and the closing dance entitled “Asmarandana.” After these two performances, there was no doubt in my mind that a tremendous amount of time and effort was placed in making Nusantara the best cultural show ever at RPI. In my three semesters here, this is by far the best presentation I have seen.
To conclude, not only was the crowd literally begging for more at the end of the night, but all proceeds to this very successful event will go to the tsunami relief effort.
