Let us Join Hands to Develop Dayak Music

Kuching, Malaysia - Dayak musicians were called on to help change the perception of Dayak music by joining the Dayak Artistes and Musicians Association (Dama).

Not many people outside of Sarawak are aware of Dayak music, association president Snowdan Lawan pointed out.

“To most outsiders, Dayak music is only about traditional music complemented with traditional costumes and dance performances and this is the thinking we need to change,” he said.

And this is where Dama could come in, he added at the Dama Dayak Music Award 2010 (AMD) at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Saturday.

The Balai Ringin assemblyman saw the AMD as the highest prestige recognition in the Dayak music industry.

He maintained that Dama would develop the quality of Dayak artistes through the strong pool of creative support from its members.

The association was also a platform to help its members fight and protect their music rights in addition to fight against piracy.

Guest of honour Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang who also spoke reminded that Dama and its AMD would only bring pride to the Dayak music industry.

“The whole thing that Dama is doing tonight is to harness the music potential of the Dayak people. It is very important for Dama to expand its network and to work properly to co-operate and synergise with other races, corporate sectors and government departments for the benefit of the industry’s development.”

Jabu also called for the heritage and culture of Dayak music to be preserved.

He later presented a special ‘Anugerah Bintang Dama 2010’ awards to evergreen Iban singer Esther Bayang, Bidayuh crooner Richnond Allen and prominent Orang Ulu sape player the late Tusau Padan for their achievement and long time contribution to uphold the Dayak music industry.

The posthumous award for the Tusau was received by his widow Corry Bungan Salam.

The Borneo Post, Untusan Borneo and thesundaypost are the official media for AMD 2010.

Sumber: http://www.theborneopost.com
Sumber Foto: http://banuadayak.wordpress.com

Share

Write your comment !