CONTEMPORARY PERFORMING ARTS
The contemporary scene in Malaysian performing arts is an exciting one, with vibrant activity in all the disciplines of the performing arts reaching a near feverish pace, particularly in Kuala Lumpur. The proliferation of professional, semi-professional and amateur organizations has meant that there is an increasing variety of performances available for the Malaysian audience, demonstrating a desire for variety and better quality productions, harking back to and utilizing the traditional in new ways, while also taking bold steps in new directions. One of the more exciting outcomes of such an approach has been the greater number of fusion productions amalgamating not only Western elements and the different genres, but also features from the rich heritage of cultures found in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.
Indeed, with the new sense of discovery and the opportunities that have increasingly become available during the half century since Independence, and particularly since the 1970s, activities involving fusion and cross-cultural approaches have increased in pace. Individual talents—directors, actors, dancers and musicians—particularly from amongst the younger generation, have in many instances come into their own, some receiving international exposure as well as acclaim. Malaysian troupes have taken advantage of opportunities to travel abroad and to participate in international events. Much of this has been made possible through the generous grants and financial support that have become available for the arts from both the government and the private sector. The arts have also received stimulus from the establishment of the Akademi Seni Kebangsaan (National Arts Academy) and the Panggung Negara (National Theatre) in the 1990s. The academy has made significant contribution towards the development of traditional performing arts and contemporary dance. The overall spin-off effect of the academy has been considerable, with its graduates involved in various spheres of production. The national theatre has staged lavish productions of traditional performing genres, including the first major production of a Mak Yong play, and has also helped expose Malaysians to quality international productions.
The commercial scene in the performing arts has been equally active with the development of numerous local groups and companies, as well as local recording labels. Similarly, there has been considerable activity in the teaching and research of performing arts. Academic programmes in the performing arts are now available in several universities. Serious attention is thus being devoted to both teaching and research, resulting in an increasing consciousness for better and more professional productions, and more systematic documentation and research.
