Front Row

Qawwali is a form of devotional music that involves the singing of Sufi hymns, a tradition that has lasted for over 700 years. The word itself is derived from the Arabic word ‘qaul’, meaning ‘belief’ or ‘credo’. Originally from Pakistan, the Mehr Ali & Sher Ali Qawwali Ensemble will be performing in Malaysia for the first time ever as a part of Diversecity 2015. Today with us is Ejaz Sher Ali, son of Sher Ali and one of the main singers from the Qawwali Ensemble, as well as Eddin Khoo from Pusaka talking to us more about this melodic artform.

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The guitar is an ancient and noble instrument, whose history can be traced back over 4000 years. Many theories have been advanced about the instrument's ancestry. But over the years, the guitar has been modified to fit into the cultural norms of our times. Since then, we’ve branched out further into the art form by experimenting with the instrument. With coming of age trends like the rocking sounds of an electric guitar and guitar distortion. Today we have Az Samad, Guitarist, Composer, and Educator with us to tell us more about this artform and his upcoming guitar performance alongside Hady Afro and Hor Chee Seng at No Black Tie.

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A musical each and every child will enjoy, Hi-5. For almost 20 years, the children’s program has not only entertained but also educated children. We speak to Julie Greene, the Executive Creative Director & Executive Producer of Hi-5 alongside two of the program’s actors.

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An event celebrating patriotism, solidarity, and cheer - this year’s Malaysiaku 2015 celebrations - ‘Satu Hati, Sejuta Wajah’ aims to get everyone of all ages participating in this year’s Malaysia day. With me are Janet Pillai, theatre practitioner and Edward Soo, event organizer. Tune in as they talk about the event as well as what it means to be a Malaysian in this day and age.

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Relationships, whether between family members, friends, or strangers, lie at the core of our lives. ‘Me and You’, Tria Aziz’s second one-woman-show, explores this integral facet of all our lives. As she whisks the audience away through a blend of emotions, she grapples with multiple layers of relationships; with her family and children, and most uniquely, herself and her audience. Tria Aziz, award winning musical theatre performer, is here today in the studio to speak about her as an artist and mother and her upcoming show titled ‘Me and You’.

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How well can Malaysians track back their ancestry? Most will answer with a simple, “I’m Malay”, “I’m Chinese”, or “I’m Indian”. Following the basic square boxes that we have to tick in, from every given form that we’ve filled in throughout our lifetime. Most of us don’t understand the complexities of where our roots come from, or know how to even separate our roots from our lifestyles. Tune in, as the curators of the new art exhibition, ‘Penang: Then and Now’ talk to us how colonization, the world war, and how the imperialist era has affected us Malaysians and our Art.

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For years, Japan is known to be a country, rich in art and culture with the art of making film being a familiar territory. As Shinichi Suzuki once said, "A work of Art is the expression of a man's whole personality, sensibility and ability." Today on Front Row, we'll be talking to Masato Harada, a film director whose works have been appreciated widely around the world. He shares with us the complex history of Japan during a more patriarchal time, and how it has inspired him to make his latest film, 'Kakekomi' which will be screened during the Japanese Film Festival that starts today until the 4th of October, in selected GSC cinema outlets. 

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Regarded as one of China's jewels, Kunqu Opera is listed as an oral and intangible heritage of humanity by UNESCO. The-700 year old opera, one of China's oldest surviving opera forms, will arrive in Malaysia with 72 cast and crew and a 40 foot container from Nanjing, capital of the Jiangsu Province. With us today is Kok Kee Boon, concert promoter, producer and impresario, to enlighten us with the history of this production. 

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Azerbaijani music conceals thousands of traditions which can only be expressed through its musicians and performers. Alim Qasimov is one of the most renowned singers of Mugham traditions as he fuses poetry, modal music and improvisatory singing into an Azerbaijani Ensemble. Mugham traditions and melodies are, for the first time, being brought to the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas with Alim Qasimov and his daughter Fargana Qasimova. Today we speak to them to learn more about this art. Translating for us is Vasif Abutalibov from the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan. 

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The struggle for an identity is a struggle faced by many, if not all. For artist, Sean Lean, this was manifested in a conflict encapsulating the meaning of Chinese-ness as he, and his generation, are confronted by Western influences. Motherland is a collection of 18 works, which in their own way, reflect his struggle to juggle his roots with his path. Today we have Sean Lean in the studio to walk us through the journey of his motherland.

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