Rantau: Layaran Sukma (Explorations: Voyage of the Soul)
NUS Ilsa Tari
Fri 20 Mar & Sat 21 Mar | 7.30 pm | UCC Theatre
Public $28 | Students and Friends of CFA $15 & $25 (a pair)
Postponed to a later date
Rantau: Layaran Sukma is a contemporary dance production that addresses notions of the “ideal woman” that are constructed based on societal values and norms. Choreographed by Young Artist Award recipient for Dance Osman Abdul Hamid (PBM), this production aims to challenge these notions by breaking away from them and showing that women can be free to make their choices.
Well-known for dance which is firmly rooted in traditional Malay forms such as silat and zapin and yet contemporary in the themes it engages, NUS Ilsa Tari with the support of Dr Suriani Suratman from the Department of Malay Studies hope to broaden the perspectives of our audience by providing them with the space to think about the issues revolving around the identity and role of the Malay woman in our society, to be more confident in discussing these problems openly, and think critically about ways in which they can make a change for the better.
As part of the programme, NUS Ilsa Tari will host a symposium with a panel of prominent female dance practitioners: Rantau: Alunan Samudera (Explorations: The Waves of the Ocean).
Profiles
Osman Abdul Hamid (PBM) joined the People’s Association and the former Sriwana Malay Dance Group in 1979. He became the Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer of the People’s Association Malay Dance Group and Era Dance Theatre Pte Ltd. Since 1995, Osman has produced highly acclaimed works with NUS Ilsa Tari which includes Imbas…Ampas (2010), Ilsa Revisited (2011), Contengan Hidup (2011), Akur…Menyerah Takdir (2012), Selamatkan Bumiku (2013) and Temasek Berbisik (2014).
Osman has represented Singapore at many ASEAN Performing Arts Festivals and overseas cultural programmes. In 1996, his dance item was selected by the National Arts Council to be featured in the 4th ASEAN Dance Festival. In recognition of his outstanding talents and dedication, Osman has been conferred the prestigious Singapore Youth Award (Service) in 1993 and the Young Artist Award (1994) by the National Arts Council. Under the tutelage of Osman, the People’s Association Talents won the Best Choreographer Award at the 5th Sabah International Folklore Festival in 2010. He has also represented Singapore as an Asian Dance Expert in the Asia Dance Committee 2011 till present. No doubt, Osman’s works have continued to inspire audiences with his unique vibrant choreography.
Originally known as NUS Malay Dance Group under the direction of its founding tutor Mr Abdul Rahman Mawari, the group had their first performance at the NUS Welcome Convention in July 1986 at NUS Forum. In May 1995, NUS Malay Dance Group was renamed NUS Ilsa Tari by its current Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer Osman Abdul Hamid (PBM), the People’s Association Malay Dance Group’s choreographer and a recipient of Singapore’s National Arts Council Young Artist Award.
The word ‘Ilsa’ is derived from the Malay word ‘asli’ or ‘native’, which signifies a bold new artistic direction for radical creativity in Malay dance while acknowledging the importance of the past. Establishing strong foundations in traditional Malay dances such as zapin, ronggeng, inang and serampang 12, together with the traditional Malay martial art of silat, NUS Ilsa Tari experiments with both traditional and contemporary Malay dance to push the boundaries of creativity and modernity. Today, NUS Ilsa Tari plays an important part in the evolution of a Malay dance form relevant to our times by practice, discourse, performance and engagement with the next generation of artists.
NUS Ilsa Tari aims to pursue excellence in traditional and contemporary Malay dance through producing thought-provoking works and investing in the next generation of like-minded dancers. Under the tutelage of Artistic Director Osman Abdul Hamid (PBM), each dance production engages with modern themes not usually dealt with in Malay dance, such as women’s empowerment, metaphysics of the soul and multiculturalism. Through this journey, NUS Ilsa Tari also strives to nurture and develop committed, passionate and skilled dancers who champion Malay culture and tradition.
