Aswara Out To Revive Glory Of Traditional Dances

By Sakini Mohd Said KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 (Bernama) -- How many of today's youths have expressed an interest in learning traditional dances instead of modern dances? The answer is maybe only a handful. Many youths believe traditional dances are boring, not trendy and lack commercial and entertainment value. To them, such dances are only suitable for past generations. However, the modern-day gyrations identified as breakdance, hip hop and, the latest craze, K-Pop culture are considered by many young people to be their cup of tea. With K-Pop culture, both the image of Korean artistes and their style of dance appeal to youths. Hence, traditional dances are being pushed into oblivion. Concerned about this phenomenon, Aswara, the National Arts Culture and Heritage Academy, took the initiative to establish the Aswara Dance Company with its Dance Faculty to restore interest in traditional dances that appear to be on the way out. LACK OF EXPOSURE The technological transformation sweeping across the globe, such as vast improvements in electronic modes of communication, is believed to be one of the reasons that youths prefer modern dances. To make matters worse, the lack of exposure to traditional dances will lead to the younger generation possessing minimal knowledge of the variations of these dances. "Many fail to realise it. For example, the tradition of having a dance at a feast or event has gradually diminished, particularly after youths migrated to urban areas. "(Later) when they socialized, they did so only within their ethnic group. (Therefore), they only know the dances of their own race, and even then, they don’t know all of the dances. They have more exposure to Western dances. Everybody now wants to be like the Koreans. "When we asked them why they don’t choose traditional dances like joget, inang or zapin, they said these dances are boring. This is why they claim that traditional dances have no commercial value," says renowned choreographer and dancer Dr Joseph Gonzales who is the Dean of the Dance Faculty at Aswara. This has led to a reduction in the number of apprentice traditional dancers among the younger generation, laments Gonzales, adding that most traditional dance activists are now in their twilight years. RELUCTANT TO TRY? The perception that traditional dances are dull could stem from the fact that many people are reluctant to try these dances. According to Gonzales, many youths see the traditional dances as slow and sluggish due to the relatively slow and dull beat of the music’s tempo. Hence, he calls on parents to spend more time with their children to explain the uniqueness of these dances. "The very least that can be done is for parents to take their children to watch performances of these dances," he says. He believes that now is the time for traditional dances to be made a compulsory subject for students at institutions of higher learning. "The move is intended to instill within the youth an interest in traditional dances," adds Gonzales. ASWARA DANCE COMPANY Aware of the situation, Aswara has taken the initiative to establish the Aswara Dance Company. Comprising 19 senior and junior apprentice dancers as well as a guest dancer, this group falls under the tutelage of Gonzales himself. As of last June, this dance entity has received a one-year sponsorship grant of RM380,000 (US$126,666) from the Sime Darby Foundation. The grant covers the payment of salaries for the Aswara Dance Company staff, the dancers’ accommodation and expenses during road shows and expenses for publicity and insurance coverage among other things. Sime Darby Group Chairman, Tun Musa Hitam, noted that the Group’s sponsorship offer is in line with its corporate social responsibility (CSR) objectives. -- BERNAMA