Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of Arts

The nusantara (Malay Archipelago) houses a multitude of art, culture and tradition, held together by the same rooted beliefs and culture. This unique identity is what we celebrate at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay’s 18th edition of Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of Arts from 27 to 30 Jun, coinciding with the Hari Raya festivities.

Photo credit: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

We invite you to revel in the musical richness of the nusantara, ranging from percussion in Fatih – The Prince & The Drum — the festival’s first ever commission for the Esplanade Theatre — to popular Indonesian music with Hetty Koes Endang, and R&B and hip hop with Singapore’s Syarif and Akeem Jahat. In addition, come see rare art forms including kuda kepang dance and Mak Yong, a UNESCO-recognised oral tradition.

Join us as we discover the many treasures that the nusantara has to offer.

Festival Highlights

An Esplanade Commission
Fatih – The Prince & The Drum
by NADI Singapura (Singapore)
Directed by Garin Nugroho (Indonesia)

29 Jun

NADI Singapura

Fatih – The Prince & The Drum is an epic tale of trial and tribulation, told through Malay percussion, martial arts, dance, prose and song. Prince Fatih of the Kingdom of Sritanmira embarks on a journey of self-discovery, and finds himself lost and betrayed, only to be saved by the power of his parents’ love.

 Featuring a creative team from Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, Fatih – The Prince & The Drum is the first large-scale commission of a theatre production by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay at Pesta Raya. An original story and music by Riduan Zalani and NADI Singapura, the production is directed by internationally renowned Indonesian director, Garin Nugroho, who last presented the sold-out Setan Jawa at Pesta Raya in 2017, and written by Zulfadli Rashid.

An Esplanade Co-commission
The Seen and Unseen
by Kamila Andini (Indonesia)

28 & 29 Jun

The Seen and Unseen

 The Seen and Unseen (Sekala Niskala) is a new performance work, a cross-cultural collaboration between artists from Indonesia, Japan and Australia. Inspired by Indonesian filmmaker Kamila Andini’s film The Seen and Unseen, which has been described as “a truly singular film” (Cinema Scope) and “a haunting and hypnotic interpretation… rooted in Balinese arts and culture” (Variety).

Directed by Kamila Andini (Indonesia), the live theatrical production of The Seen and Unseen will be a visual feast incorporating dance, live music and song, and features an electronic score, creating a blend of traditional Balinese dance movement with a contemporary approach to theatre. With an all-child cast from Komunitas Bumi Bajra, the production also features a cross-cultural creative team that includes choreographer Ida Ayu Wayan Arya Satyani (Indonesia), composer Yasuhiro Morinaga (Japan), designer Eugyeene Teh (Australia), lighting designer Jenny Hector (Australia), dramaturgy by Adena Jacobs, theatre director and artistic director of Fraught Outfit (Australia).

A co-commission by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay and Asia TOPA: Asia-Pacific Triennial of Performing Arts

Produced by Performing Lines

In collaboration with Fourcolours Films, Komunitas Bumi Bajra, Fraught Outfit, Komunitas Salihara

Check out the full line-up for Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of Arts at www.esplanade.com/pestaraya