Selamat datang everyone to Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay’s 23rd edition of Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of Arts from 9 – 12 May 2024! We are excited to embark with you on another journey through the captivating landscapes of the Nusantara, where tradition and folklore meet contemporary creativity in a harmonious dance.

First up, our two new works commissioned for this year’s festival revisit tales that transcend the boundaries of time and will resonate with both young and old. In Bawang Putih Bawang Merah, Teater Ekamatra reimagines a well-known folktale and makes their first foray into producing a work for our mid-sized venue, the Singtel Waterfront Theatre. For the Concert Hall, we have commissioned film auteur Garin Nugroho’s Samsara, a “cine-concert” that marries a vibrant, live electronic music soundscape with traditional Balinese performance elements like the gamelan orchestra, traditional dance, masks and wayang kulit.  

In recent years, a new generation of artists have reinvented the musical genres of pop yeh yeh and dangdut koplo. In Hidup Pop Yeh Yeh! (Long Live Pop Yeh Yeh!), pioneering artists Dato’ Jeffrydin, Dato’ L. Ramli and S. Mariam join forces with ’60s pop-inspired band Masdo to celebrate the legacy of this beloved music genre. In Dangdut Koplo Extravaganza!, two of Indonesia’s most promising dangdut performers, Ochi Alvira and Syahiba Saufa, will enthral audiences with the infectious, hypnotic and soul-stirring sounds of the genre.

Join us also for Jalan Raya, a performance-installation by Zarina Muhammad and other Singapore artists inspired by annual Hari Raya visits, where audiences are invited to experience a different perspective on tradition and culture. 

As we pay homage to the rich heritage of the Malay culture, honouring the stories that have been passed down through generations and the traditions that have shaped our identity, we invite you to immerse in the vibrant spirit of the Nusantara and be inspired by it. 

Hanie Nadia Hamzah 

Producer, The Esplanade Co Ltd