When a performance art, which originated in the 80s, is confined to malls and one-off events, it risks being forgotten, unintentionally erased from history. This is the story of dedicated artists seeking to breathe life into a dying art form by rallying support from the public, through a show called Drum Up JB!
“Through Drum Up JB!, we aim to showcase 24-Festival Drums around the world. We want to make it a must-see show, one that I believe Johoreans can take great pride in,” said co-producer Lee Sheah Liang. The showcase brings together two powerhouses; Drum Up JB! and Orang Orang Drum Theatre, mixed percussion ensembles that blend drumming and physical movements in an art form known as the 24-Festival Drums.
The 24-Festival Drums is unique in the world and is native to Johor. Created by Malaysians Tan Chai Puan and the late Tan Hooi Song, the art form was inspired by the 24 festivals in the lunar calendar of the Chinese agricultural community. The first show was performed during the Johor National Dance in 1988.
Despite its impressive performances and rich history, sustaining this three-decade-old performance art has its challenges. While the 24-Festival Drums originated from Malaysia, its Chinese influence has led to some misconceptions among the public.
Damien Leow, Co-Producer and Performer of Drum Up JB! said, “During my master’s research on the 24-Festival Drums, I found there’s a misconception about drumming culture. When the public sees the Chinese drums, they assume it’s from China. It’s not. This is Malaysia’s culture, and when we perform, we can correct this misconception and educate the public about our heritage.”
Another challenge is sustainability. Given the lack of demand for 24-Festival Drums and the resources required to perform, Drum Up JB! and Orang Orang Drum Theatre could not perform regularly.
“We never imagined having a regular programme. In the past, when we organised a show and poured our heart and soul into it, it was only for a one-off event. But now we’re performing regularly in Johor throughout the year, thanks to Yayasan Hasanah,” said Damien.
‘Drum Up JB!’ is one of the many projects supported by Arts for All Seasons (ArtsFAS), the country’s largest grant for the arts, powered by Yayasan Hasanah in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance Malaysia. In 2023, the ArtsFAS funding has supported various art forms, generating economic opportunities for a total of 3,246 individuals in the industry.
Amirul Muhammad, Manager of Arts & Public Spaces at Yayasan Hasanah, said, “The programme goes beyond entertainment. It imparts knowledge of drumming culture in Malaysia, enabling the audience to deepen their understanding of the subject. It’s important to Hasanah as we see this as an opportunity to preserve our cultural heritage.”
With 18 shows performed in 2023, it was a new experience, but one well-deserved for the exposure of Drum Up JB! & Orang Orang Drum Theatre. Zyee Leow, Co-Producer and Performer said, “Aside from honing our drumming skills, this programme challenged us to curate a year-long show programme. It allowed us to strengthen our resilience as artists.”
The show springs to life with high school students or recent graduates as the main performers, providing them with a platform to share ideas and actively shape various pieces in the creative process. Beyond being an outlet for energy and self-expression, it is also a confidence-booster when performing in front of a live audience – a promising glimpse into the role of youths and the future of arts in Malaysia.
The performances garnered significant success, attracting more than 7,000 audience members in total. But what was even more valuable was the revival of the 24-Festival Drums and how the art form created economic opportunities in Johor and inspired budding drummers.
“Drum Up JB! represents a beacon of what is possible in Johor Bahru. We’re able to take a unique cultural heritage performance from the city, elevate it, commercialise it, and ensure that it’s sustainable so that the local arts and cultural performers have a livelihood,” said Liang.