ICONIC percussion troupe Hands is once again drumming its way with fellow world-class percussionists and multi-disciplinary performers in a brand new, two-hour showcase this Oct 19 and 20.
Kaleidoscope 7: Hands International Drumming Festival with the theme Gendang Sedunia (Drums of the World), will take place in Zepp KL, Bukit Bintang City Centre, Jalan Hang Tuah, Kuala Lumpur at 8pm (Saturday), 11.30am and 4.30pm (Sunday).
CHANGED
Hands artistic director Bernard Goh said Kaleidoscope 7 was a continuity of the troupe's Kaleidoscope series, which began with Kaleidoscope 1 in 2009.
He said a lot had changed since Kaleidoscope 1, as the industry was richer with new groups, artistes and content.
Drummers and percussionists are using their experience, knowledge and skills to embrace the art of composing.
EVOLUTION
"The evolution of our traditional 24 Festive Drums showcase into a contemporary art form incorporating and pairing compositions with a variety of influences from other cultures is evident in the success of Kaleidoscope," said Goh.
"Twenty-four Festive Drums is a traditional Chinese drumming event but it has expanded to include drumming and percussion traditions from Southeast Asian countries."
Goh added that since its inception in 2009, Kaleidoscope had brought together world-class percussionists from over 13 countries, offering audiences a unique cultural experience.
"This year's festival continues this tradition, featuring renowned ensembles from China and Indonesia."
MASTER
Hands pays tribute to guest performer the Chongdaoyuan Jiangzhou Drum Troupe from Yuncheng University, China.
"In 1998, the leader of the troupe Wang Bao Chan was instrumental in teaching Hands basic drumming techniques, paving the way for where we are today," said Goh.
"Master Wang died last year and the show is a tribute to him by his troupe and hands."
Goh described Chongdaoyuan as China's intangible cultural heritage that would captivate local audiences with its unique traditional percussion instruments, transporting listeners to a world of ancient melodies.
BEATS
Sri Maayakarar opens the festival, exploring the potential of the usually traditional "urumi melam" drums accompanied by Chinese drums.
"Sri Maayakarar will ignite the stage with a high-energy performance of 'urumi melam', fusing ancient Tamil rhythms with modern beats," said Goh, adding that the troupe was collaborating with Hands for the first time in a concert.
GAMELAN
Other guests include Rhythm in Bronze (RIB), champions of the Malay gamelan on stage with us after 20 years.
"RIB will captivate audiences with its evocative performances of Samudra Vasane and Suntuk Masa, inviting listeners to reflect on the natural world and the passage of time.
"We teamed up with RIB more than a decade ago and it is good to be back on the same show again," said Goh.
Teuku Umar Ilany of Gangsapura Gamelan offers a new gamelan piece, while Tan Zhe Hao and Goh Kok Wei from Hands exert their composing skills alongside Kathyn Tan's choreography in a piece reflecting the connection of a drummer and his drum.
REDOING
In Re-Percussion Hands' principal, choreographer and longtime performer Jimmy Ch'ng delves deep into redoing, rethinking and rephrasing percussion.
"He deconstructs everything from notation, counting, mallets to drumsticks and rebuilds the idea of percussion.
"This ground-breaking piece offers a fresh perspective on the group's signature sound by deconstructing percussion elements, returning to the essence of rhythmic expression," said Goh.
BORNEO
Chia Cheng Kok of the National Symphony Orchestra, together with Parker Tee of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra and Hands, explore Western percussions, paying homage to marching bands.
Sarawakian Leslie Eli plays the Borneo "sape" accompanied by Dhiya Suhaili's vocals in a new composition by Zamzuriah Zahari while Akademi Arjunasukma brings traditional Malaysian art, the "dikir barat", to audiences.
"Leslie and Hands shared the stage in Putrajaya during a cultural night last year. He has a new song with traditional vibes," said Goh.
"We have collaborated with three 'dikir barat' troupes in the past, but this is our first collaboration with Akademi Arjunasukma."
BALINESE
Adding a Balinese touch to Gendang Sedunia is I. Wayan Sudirana's composition Pesu Mulih performed by Hands and Gamelan Yuganada on the Balinese gamelan.
"They will enchant listeners with the ethereal beauty of the Balinese gamelan.
"Their performance will showcase the intricate rhythms and harmonies of traditional music," said Goh.
The song embodies the Balinese gamelan philosophy of asymmetric balance, where opposing forces are combined to create a harmonious whole.
"The Balinese team were with us in Kaleidoscope 4. They performed a few times with us."
UNITY
Goh said there would be 25 new people in the show, including six of the 22 Hands members.
"It is a first for Hands in Zepp KL, a venue with a superb sound system, and it is Hands' show with the most collaborations to date.
"Kaleidoscope 7 is more than just a concert, it is a celebration of unity and diversity.
"By bringing together drummers, percussionists and artistes from different cultures, the festival highlights the universal language of music and the power of rhythm to connect people from all walks of life," said Goh.