ID :
262562
Thu, 11/08/2012 - 09:39
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/262562
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Royal Arts Gala, A New Cultural Honour For Artistes
By Sakini Mohd Said
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 8 (Bernama) -- The performing arts community was once
labelled as among those with uncertain future, especially looking at minimal
returns from the endeavours of concerned artists.
Often, parents in Malaysia do not encourage their children to take up
performing arts seriously due to the misplaced notion that this field is more
for those who do not do well in their studies.
However, that is no longer the case now. The performing arts have long been
recognised as among the important revenue generators under the nation's creative
industry segment.
The rapid transformation across the music, theater, and musical theater
scenes provided a new lease of life for art forms in Malaysia.
However, the creative industry's potential is yet to be fully exploited
though it is expected to contribute RM33 billion (US$10.78 billion) to the
nation by 2020. Moreover, the industry has yet to see meaningful support from
the private sector.
Yet, the establishment of My Performing Arts Agency (MYPAA) and the
introduction of the annual Royal Arts Gala promise a new beginning.
TRI-PARTY COOPERATION
Established early this year, MYPAA is a private agency representing
performing arts with the aim of providing a helping hand for performing artistes
through cooperation among all three parties.
The establishment of the agency is timely because the support of the private
sector is crucial in enhancing the nation's performing arts profile and
moreover, solely depending on the government is not the right solution.
The government's strong commitment in spurring and developing the creative
industry can be seen through the implementation of the National Creative
Industry Policy that allocated RM10 million (US$3.27 million) for the performing
arts for the period of 2012-2013.
"The main problem for the performing arts is financial constraints while
staging shows. The private sector can help boost the nation's performing arts by
investing in the sector. This can be achieved through regular dialogues," said
MYPAA's director, Izan Satrina Mohd Sallehuddin to Bernama.
DIALOGUE BRINGS GREATER APPRECIATION
Regular dialogues among the three parties should not be limited to
investment only, in fact they should be utilised as conduits to inculcate
greater appreciation for the performing arts, which will in turn open up greater
opportunities for performing artistes.
The MYPAA founder noted that the performing art activities at present were
restricted to Istana Budaya (Cultural Palace/Theatre), Kuala Lumpur Performing
Arts Centre (KLPac), Panggung Bandaraya (City Hall Stage) and several other
places.
In fact, the performing arts can be held in more places if the private
sector allocates space for them on their premises and utilises the performing
arts medium in launching its products or services.
This also helps the society in further appreciation of the performing arts
and in the bigger picture, the nation's cultural arts legacy.
"When they get a feel of the performing arts, they will have greater
appreciation for them. They will enjoy the numerous performing arts and this
will help enhance the artistes’ earnings," he said.
ROYAL GALA FOR PERFORMING ARTS
Therefore, the Royal Arts Gala organised by MYPAA and the National Culture
and Arts Department is an effort in the right direction.
The inaugural gala with the theme 'Journey through the Arts- Energise to
Future', slated for Nov 12 at the Kuala Lumpur Hilton also received the
blessings of the Information Communication and Culture Ministry and the
Performance Management Delivery Unit (Pemandu).
The prestigious event will be graced by the Malaysian King Tuanku Abdul
Halim Mu'adzam Shah and his consort Tuanku Hajah Haminah.
"We have seen The Malaysia International Gourmet Festival and FI Gala
Dinner. Thus, it is only appropriate for us to have an iconic event to promote
performing arts - The Royal Arts Gala.
This is an exclusive annual gala to highlight performing arts and rope in
the private sector for lending a helping hand for Malaysia's artistic and
cultural development," he said.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
In line with the goal to give recognition to performing arts in the
country, a Lifetime Achievement Award for Arts has been introduced and will be
presented during the gala.
It will be awarded to an individual in the creative industry in recognition
of their achievements in the world of creative arts and towards inspiring the
society.
The prestigious event has also lined up a 45-minute show directed by
renowned Malaysian artiste, Pat Ibrahim.
As for the show, Ibrahim, known for his musicals such as 'Puteri Gunung
Ledang' (Princess of Ledang Mountain), 'P.Ramlee' (renowned
actor-cum-singer-producer) and 'Terima Kasih Cinta' (Thank You Love), has
enlisted well-known names in performing arts such as Harith Iskandar, M. Nasir,
Musly Ramlee, Stephanie Van Driesen and David Shannon. The show reflects the
journey of the nation's performing arts.
SILENT AUCTION
Each table for the arts gala is priced at RM20,000 (US$6,532). The funds
collected are not only from the sale of the tables but also through a 'silent
auction' conducted online from Oct 17 to Nov 10.
The auction offers the Transformation Blues talk delivered by the Minister
in the Prime Minister's Department, Idris Jala, for the organisation that
succeeds in the bid.
Apart from that, a LEICA X2 camera, an exclusive gown by Innai Red and a
unique art piece created by Kuala Lumpur Hilton's artist, Infantino Fernandes
will be auctioned off as well.
"The funds collected will go to the Cultural Trust Fund. It will be used to
promote the existing performing arts talents, and encourage and stimulate the
performing arts sector," he said.
-- BERNAMA