The Shantanand Festival of Arts returns this year with a joyful celebration of music, dance, theatre and storytelling, all brought together under one roof by the Temple of Fine Arts Kuala Lumpur. Now in its 8th edition, the festival has grown into a beloved cultural highlight, drawing audiences from all walks of life. Joining us are Festival Director Dhanya Thurairajah and Co-Music Arranger Hariraam Tingyuan Lam, who are part of the team bringing this year’s festival to life. They share what’s new, what’s exciting, and why you’ll want to mark your calendars for this festival.

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We often hear Yap Ah Loy’s name in our history books, but a new production presented by Opus Harmonia Association and co-organised by the PJ Philharmonic Orchestra Academy is giving his story fresh life, through theatre and symphonic music. It’s Kapitan – The Musical, and we're joined by the creative team behind it - director and book and lyrics writer Chin San Sooi, and composer and music director Lam Siu Chong - to explore the inspiration, the process, and what audiences can expect.

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Back in 2009, The Swimming Instructor had its Malaysian debut under the direction of Christopher Ling, and it left a strong mark on audiences here. Sixteen years later, he’s revisiting the play with a brand new cast and an original soundtrack by composer Marco George. It’s a chance to see how this funny and quietly moving story evolves when placed in the world we live in today, where "no amount of swimming can outrun your feelings." We are joined by both Christopher and Marco to discuss the revival, and what went into bringing it back to the stage.

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Every now and then, something remarkable resurfaces, in this case, a ‘lost play’ from the archives of Jit Murad. Entourage – Murder Amongst Friends was written back in 2000 but never staged, until now. As part of JitFest 2025, Dramalab is giving it the spotlight, premiering with an ensemble cast exploring friendship, ambition, secrets, and a murder that changes everything. We speak to cast members Ghafir Akbar and Mia Sara Shauki, who share more about Jit Murad's legacy, and how the team have been working to bring this rediscovered script to life.

Image Credit: Dramalab

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Three years ago, ILHAM Gallery launched a new platform to encourage Malaysian artists to dream big - to experiment, to take risks, to create something entirely new. That platform became The ILHAM Art Show, and this year, it’s back with its second edition, featuring twenty artists and collectives whose works explore everything from memory and identity, to nature and the future. We speak to Rahel Joseph, the Director of ILHAM Gallery, to find out about the works we'll see at the exhibition from both emerging and established Malaysian artists.

Image Credit: "And Here We Sit" by Kimberley Boudville, photo courtesy of ILHAM Gallery.

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Gamers and music lovers, this one’s for you! Ode to the Lifestream is a chamber concert celebrating the unforgettable soundtrack of Final Fantasy VII, brought to life by a nine-piece ensemble. It’s presented by EnkeEnyo Music and the Zephyr Flute Ensemble, and joining us to share what to expect are Sylvie Wong and Qayyum Bin Zainal, the co-founders of EnkeEnyo Music, who are also the arrangers and organisers of the performance. 

Image Credit: EnkeEnyo Music

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It’s always a treat when the Singapore Ballet returns to Kuala Lumpur, and this year’s Ballet Illuminations 2025 is extra special. Presented with klpac, the performances celebrate 60 years of friendship between Malaysia and Singapore, through a programme of classical and contemporary works by the late Singaporean choreographer Choo-San Goh, an excerpt from an original piece made for Singapore Ballet by international choreographer Edmund Stripe, and Act 2 of Cinderella by Janek Schergen, Singapore Ballet’s Artistic Director. Janek joins us to share more about the programme, and what audiences can look forward to.

Photo Credit: Bernie Ng, courtesy of Singapore Ballet

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We often hear the word “cacat” used as a slur, but what if it could mean something else? Siapa Cacat? is a performance by the disabled, about the disabled, for everyone, created and performed by a collective of deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent artists. Presented by Teater Untuk Semua in collaboration with Five Arts Centre, it reclaims the word “cacat” as a statement of pride and empowerment, and invites audiences to rethink what inclusion really means. Joining us are the show’s co-directors, Ho Lee Ching and Jazzie Lee, to tell us more about this production, and how they’re reclaiming the stage - and the word “cacat” - in bold new ways.

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Fairy tales, magic, and a little bit of mischief - that’s what audiences can expect from Ravel 150, a brand-new double-bill production by KL City Opera celebrating the genius of French composer Maurice Ravel. It’s a concert that promises to delight both the young and the young at heart, featuring two of his most beloved piano works and a rarely performed opera about a naughty child who learns kindness through song. Joining us to share more are music director Andre Ng, and pianist Celestine Yoong.

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HANDS Percussion has long been one of Malaysia’s most dynamic and inventive performing arts groups, known for their powerful drumming, cross-cultural collaborations, and a deep commitment to telling Malaysian stories through rhythm. They return to the stage with Camaraderie, a brand-new production that celebrates connection, memory, and the bonds that hold us together. The show brings back some of HANDS’ signature works, alongside exciting collaborations with the ITA Ensemble, DeafBeat, and musicians playing everything from gamelan to guzheng to the cello. We catch up with Bernard Goh, Founder and Artistic Director of HANDS Percussion, to find out more.

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